Matrimony in Tibet.

Thames Star, Issue 10422, 15 May 1909, Page 5 (Supplement)

Matrimony in Tibet.

DR.. 'SIVEINi HEDLNTS STORIES,

Df. Sven Hediiy.the explorer, told a Mian Chester audience recently some of his thrilling experiences in that land of mystery; Tibet.

■ By disguising himself aa a native he was able* to traverse practically the -whole of the country*. When finally discovered he was told that the instructions were that all 'Europeans were to be sent out of the country by the route over which they had coinec

"I told 1 them it was forbidden in niv religion ffori a. man. to walk in Ibe same way he had gone oncte. The Tibetans was astonished," added \)v Hedin, "but they regarded it as bei«g quite reasonable." The lecturer told of the lamias, who seailed themselves in grottos, and lived mi perpetual darkness. -There was absolutely no eorranunieaticm with the outside world, and food was handed through to them at the en.l of a long-pole. When the pole was wi.thdira.wmi mext day with the f->od untouched the inference was thait the lama wjbs dead.

The purging of sins at the holy mountain near Lake Maraina.Bsoraw%h was witnessed by Dr. Hedin. Pilgrims cattie from, all parts, and' made a circuit of the mountain which oCculpiedl 231 days. The iniaitrimonial arrangement® of the, Tilbetatos-.were also explained by Dr. Hedin. It was the usual custom for three 'brothers to have one wife, who would be chosen by the eldest brother. In one ease with which be became acquainted there were 'two wives (between 1 -three* brotheirft.

' The plajgue in India during the last 10 years has caused as many deaths as have all the world's wars eince the time of Napoleon.