Page:Ling-Nam; or, Interior views of southern China, including explorations in the hitherto untraversed island of Hainan (IA cu31924023225307).pdf/192

 188 Ling-Nan.

increased numbers were divided into twenty-four smaller bands, and now they are seattered over all the mountains and hills. They engage in agriculture, supporting them~- selves by their own efforts. Amoug them were idle, restless fellows, whose time was given to robbing and plun- dering, and the people (the Chinese) suffered greatly from their depredations, until in the twenty-fourth year of the reign of Kang-Hi (a.p. 1688), the officers of the three provinces (Kwang-tung, Kwang-si, and Hunan) united in subjugating them, <A city was founded (Lien-shan) and further outbreaks prevented. Moreover, thirty-six military stations were established, encireling them as in a net. The Iu people were in great fear for themselves, and the Chinese (literary scholars and people) confidence heing restored, dwelt in peace.

“In regard to the customs of the In people. The third day of the third month of every year they call the ‘ Rice Feast,’ literally, ‘Thanks for rice to eat ;” the sixth day of the sixth month is called the ‘Thanksgiving to the Earth and Gods ;’ and the fifteenth of the tenth month is called the ‘ Hall of Mirth and Song.’ At this time every tribe slanghters pigs and sheep. The men and women eat together. Drums are beaten and gongs sounded, and they all sing in chorus. The youths and maidens go about independently, choose their mates, and are thus married. These people ascend mountains with the same ease that they walk on the level plain. They sleep in the open air as readily as inaroom, Every year, accord- ing to custom, some of them come to Lien-chow bringing tribute, and are rewarded with wine, oil-cake, and salt. ‘In front of the great hall each receives his portion and