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0237 Across Asia : vol.1
Across Asia : vol.1 / Page 237 (Grayscale High Resolution Image)

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[Photo] Nasumbatoff in uniform, supported by 4 Kalmuk soldiers.

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doi: 10.20676/00000221
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RECORDS OF THE JOURNEY

Nasumbatoff in uniform, supported by 4 Kalmuk

soldiers.

a religious life, the others being given all kinds of work and household jobs. The former are called »geling», the latter »geshil». The wealth collected in the lamasery is considerable. In addition to liberal voluntary contributions the lamasery enjoys a right of inheritance, whenever a Kalmuk dies. This is said to amount to the gigantic proportion of 5o per cent, though a compromise is sometimes effected in the case of poor people dying. All that has been received by the monastery is divided annually between all the lamas according to their grade. When a lama dies, half his property goes to his relatives, the other half to Lhassa. Among the Kalmuks wives are not bought, as among the Kirghiz, among whom their price often amounts to several hundred horses. Women possess the same rights of inheritance as men, whereas among the Kirghiz a woman is incapable of inheriting anything. The widow's share among the Kalmuks is equal to that of each of the children.

The dead are notburied; after the lamas have prayed over the body for three days, it is left lying on the plain for the dogs to devour. No exception is made for the rich.

The Surgan summun, consisting of about 5000 yurts, is divided into five districts, each of which has its own judge. Their remuneration consists of voluntary gifts that seem to be liberal, for wealth accumulates in their yurts. The sentences are, however, confirmed in most cases by Ukhereda (Nasumbatoff's father). Nasumbatoff's district consists of 600 yurts, too of which are considered to be rich.

During the day I visited Nasumbatoff's »tabun» (stud) that contains about t5oo horses. May 12th.

In the glorious sunshine that succeeded the snowstorm and cold of the night and early Camp at Gilan.

morning, this fine herd of horses grazing on the green, gently rolling plain, was a wonderful

sight. For a couple of hours I rode about among the mares and foals that assembled in

groups round the stallions. There are 4-50o mares and they looked so beautiful that they

would certainly be a welcome addition to almost any stud. They are deep-chested and

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