PLATE XIII.
A FEMALE MORDVINE.
THE Mordvi are dhided into two tribes, the Erzian and the Mokshan,
and inhabit the governments of Nizney, Novogorod, Kazan, Sinbirsk,
Oiifa, and Penza. This and Plate XIV. exhibit a female of the Erzian
tribe, while Plates XV. and XVI. are descriptive of the Mokshan tribe.
The latter chiefly inhabit the neighbourhood of the rivers Moksha and Oka,
while the former live mostly on the banks of the Wolga. These nations
are also derived from the Finns, although they have, from their former
subjection to the Tartars, a great many Tartarian words in their language!
that of each tribe was formerly very different, but they have lately
become much mixed. These people are, in general, honest, laborious,
and friendly; but very slow in their work. Since they have been under
the Russian government, they employ themselves in the cultivation of
the land ; and they have a great dislike to live in large towns. The
women employ themselves in spinning, and making their clothes.
They purchase their wives, and the common price is not more than
ten roubles, or about two pounds: the marriage ceremony and rejoicing
continue the whole day. In the burial of their dead, they have a
singular custom of meeting in all their best clothes ; and have a sort
of feast, of which they always leave a part on the grave, or coffin.
Most of these people are Christians, although some still continue Pagans.
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