MONGOLS AT HOME 169 



In front of the judges, who represented the most re- 

 spected laity of the community, were bowls of cheese 

 cut into tiny cubes. The spectators consisted of two 

 groups of women, who sat some distance apart in com- 

 pact masses, the "horns" of their headdresses almost 

 interlocked. Their costumes were marvels of brilliance. 

 They looked like a flock of gorgeous butterflies, which 

 had alighted for a moment on the grass. 



The first race consisted of about a dozen ponies, 

 ridden by fourteen-year-old boys and girls. They swept 

 up the valley from the starting point in full run, hair 

 streaming, and uttering wailing yells. The winner was 

 led by two old Mongols to the row of lamas, before 

 whom he prostrated himself twice, and received a hand- 

 ful of cheese. This he scattered broadcast, as he was 

 conducted ceremoniously to the judges, from whom he 

 returned with palms britnming with bits of cheese. 



Finally, all the contestants in the races, and half a 

 dozen of the Mongols on horseback, lined up in front 

 of the priests, each one singing a barbaric chant. Then 

 they circled about the lamas, beating their horses until 

 they were in a full run. After the race came wrestling 

 matches. The contestants sparred for holds and when 

 finally clinched, each with a grip on the other's waist- 

 band, endeavored to obtain a fall by suddenly heaving. 

 When the last wrestling match was finished, a tall Mon- 

 gol raised the yellow banner, and followed by every man 

 and boy on horseback, circled about the seated lamas. 

 Faster and faster they rode, yelling like demons, and 

 then strung off across the valley to the nearest yurt. 



