LAUGHTER-PROOF PEOPLE

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11664, 31 October 1923, Page 9

LAUGHTER-PROOF PEOPLE

STRANGE CEYLON TRIBE. NEVER KNOWN TO SMILE. Laughter, and the faculty of being merry and bright, are gifts of the gods to a world in which there is not too much sunshine at any time. But this gift, according to the scientists, who know all about these subjects, has been denied to the Veddas, the aboriginal inhabitants of Ceylon. They are the only people in the world who never laugh, and in consequence they are thin and flabby folk, and a fat man among the Veddas would be an extraordinary sight for sad eyes. A traveller who has studied the early races in Ceylon gives some interesting particulars about this curious tribe. .For nearly 2000 years, according to the best chronicles, these people, now almost extinct, have observed the same characteristics, and no one, so far as history reveals, hns even seen a smile on the face of one of them or heard a laugh while in their section of Ceylon. The Veddas dwell almost entirely among the Bintenne jungles in caves or clefts in the rock, and are skilful archers, bringing down bats, owls, crows, and kites, which constitute their principal food. Why these people do not smile is a mystery. They alone of all the people on the earth know nothing of the sensation of laughter. A scientist, who recently journeyed to Ceylon for the purpose of investigating thus question, persuaded wme of them to permit him to tickle them in the ribs and in the middle of their feet with straws, and never caught even the flicker of a smile on their faces, nor did he ever succeed in making ouc of them squirm and laugh aloud during the operation. Another strange thing about the Veddas, and one which may possibly be connected with their lack of humour, is the fact that every one, of them is a George Washington, unable to tell a tie, or to conceive of anyone else telling a lie. They cannot even believe that anyone would take the property of anyone else, and the association with civilisation hns failed to convince them thot it is possible. With all this—or, rather, without all this—the Vbddas are a peaceable, gentle, quiet people. They take wives without anv marriage ceremony, and are faithful and constant to them, .supporting them tp death.