654 Report on Shoa [No. 140. 



In addressing equals or children, the second person singular is used. 

 Superiors are entitled to the third person plural, and disputes are easily 

 excited, especially among the fanatic priesthood, by not paying suffi- 

 cient attention to this point of etiquette. 



99. Respect is here paid by prostration to the earth, and after the 

 most degrading and humiliating fashion, bowing the face among the 

 very dust, by uncovering the robe, and exposing the naked person, and 

 by kissing the nearest inanimate object on entering a house. 



100. The most grovelling adoration is paid to the monarch, and to 

 many of his chiefs. All of whatever rank when they approach the pre- 

 sence, throw themselves prostrate upon the ground, lie flat on their faces, 

 and knock their heads three times upon the earth. The inhabitants bend 

 in the mire at the approach of His Majesty, and the troops of horsemen 

 as they emerge from their different districts to join the military expedi- 

 tion before mingling with the general mass, stream at full speed to the 

 vicinity of the royal umbrellas, and pulling up at a prescribed distance, 

 spring from their saddles, and all simultaneous leaders and followers 

 perform the degrading prostration. 



101. Every native uncovers his person when in presence of or in 

 conversation with the king, whilst to equals the corner of the robe is 

 only removed for a time, and then suffered to resume its fold over the 

 shoulder. Inferiors are obliged to stand continually unclothed in the 

 company of their masters, and any small present bestowed upon the 

 servant, must be received with both hands in a cringing position, whilst 

 the nearest object, generally the threshold of the door, is kissed in token 

 of devoted love and affection. Suspicions of treachery and revenge may 

 have possibly originated this strange custom of uncovering the person, 

 and the concealment of dangerous weapons is totally debarred, when 

 the law is enforced of making all strip themselves so often during the 

 course of the twenty-four hours. 



102. Although not particularly addicted to the merry mood in general, 

 and exceedingly ignorant withal of any thing resembling stage effect, 

 yet the palace buffoon elicits shouts of laughter by his uncouth antics, 

 and attempts to personate the character of the adjoining tribes, who are 

 looked down upon with the utmost sovereign contempt; and on the 

 days of interview with these wilder savages, who come dancing into the 

 presence chaunting their war songs, and decked out with feathers and 



