AN EXEMPLARY TRIBE.
In the whole wide world there is not a class of people to be found who inflict severer punishmeut upon themselves than the Garibs, of Central America. Their religion, which is one of the most peculiar kind, demands self-punish-ment for sins '• intentionally or unintentionally committed. The punishment takes the form of starvation and close confinement. If the sin be in the form of a lie, no matter whether it is calculated to injure another or not, the sinner goes without either food or drink for three days, at the end of which it is believed that the offender has paid the penalty for his or her sin: Blaspheming and using bad language is punishable by absolute starvation for two days. Assault, drunkenness and other serious sins call for four days' starvation for one week, three days' starvation for the second week, two days' starvation ' for the third week, and one day's starvation in the fourth week. All sins are punished with starvation. For that reason crime- is very low amongst the Garibs, who are amongst the best behaved and most truthful people in the world.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ME18990914.2.19.2
Bibliographic details
Mataura Ensign, Issue 635, 14 September 1899, Page 4
Word Count
188AN EXEMPLARY TRIBE. Mataura Ensign, Issue 635, 14 September 1899, Page 4
Using This Item
No known copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.
Log in