Chapter XII.

OF THE PROVINCE OF CAMUL, AND SEVERAL OTHER COUNTRIES TO THE CITY OF EZINA, AND ANOTHER GREAT DESERT.

The province of Camul lieth in the wide country of Tangut, subject to the Great Khan, having many cities and towns; the chief city is called Camul. This province is bounded by two deserts, viz., the great desert, of which we have spoken before, and another that is less, of three days’ journey. It abounds with all things for the convenient support of life. The inhabitants are idolaters, have a peculiar language, and seem to be born for no other purpose but to apply themselves to sporting, singing, dancing, writing, and reading, after their fashion, playing on instruments, and giving themselves unto pleasure. When any traveller passing by goes into any man’s house for entertainment, the master of the family receives him with great joy, and commands his wife, and all the family, that as long as he will abide with them, they obey him in all things. In the meantime he departs, and returns not so long as the guest remains at his house; and during all this space, the stranger lies with the wife, daughter, and the rest, as with his own wives. The women of the country are beautiful, and ready to obey all these commandments of their husbands, who are so besotted with this folly, that they think it a glorious thing for them, and believe it so acceptable to their idols, that through their favour thus obtained, they prosper and enjoy plenty of all things. Mangu Khan having heard of this folly, commanded them not to observe this detestable custom any longer, and accordingly they forbore it for about three years; and then not seeing their wonted fertility, and troubled with some domestic crosses, they sent ambassadors to the Khan and earnestly entreated that he would revoke so grievous an edict, and not abolish that ancient custom which they had received from their ancestors. The Khan answered, since you desire your reproach and shame, let it be granted you; go and do herein after your wont. The messengers returning with this answer, brought great joy to all the people; and this custom is observed by the whole nation to this day.

After the province of Camul, a traveller entered the province of Chinchintalas, which on the north is bounded by the desert, and is sixteen days’ journey in length, subject to the Great Khan. It hath large cities, and many castles; the people are divided into three sects; some few acknowledge Christ, and these are Nestorians; others worship Mohammed; and the third sort adore idols. In this province there is a mountain, wherein are mines of steel, and andanicum, and also, as was reported, salamanders, of the wool of which cloth was made, which if cast into the fire cannot be burned; but that cloth is in reality made of stone in this manner, as one of my companions, a Turk, named Curifar, a man endued with singular industry, informed me, who had the charge of the minerals in that province. A certain mineral is found in that mountain which yields thread not unlike to wool; and these being dried in the sun, are bruised in a brazen mortar and afterwards washed, and whatsoever earthy substance sticks to them is taken away. Lastly, these threads so cleansed are spun like other wool, and woven into cloth: and when they would whiten those cloths, they cast them into the fire for an Lour, and then take them out unhurt whiter than snow; after the same manner they cleanse them when they have taken any spots; for no other washing is used to them, besides the fire. But with regard to the salamander, or the serpent, which is reported to live in the fire, I could find nothing of such a creature in the east countries. They say there is a certain napkin at Rome woven in Salamander wool, wherein the handkerchief of the Lord is kept wrapped up, which a certain King of the Tartars sent to the Bishop of Rome.

After you are past this province, you travel on betwixt the east and north-east ten days’ journey, in which few habitations or things remarkable are found, and then you come to the province Succir, in which are many villages and towns; the chief city is called Succir. In this province, among many idolaters, a few Christians are found; they are subject to the Great Khan. They do not addict themselves to merchandise, but live on the fruits of the earth. The best rhubarb is found in this province in great quantities, which is carried thence by merchants to divers parts of the world. Strangers dare not go to the mountains where it grows, by reason of venomous herbs, which if their beasts should eat they will lose their hoofs; but those of that country know and avoid them.

The general name of this province and of the two following is Tangut: Campion is a great city, the principal in the country of Tangut. In it are Christians, which have three great and fair churches, Mohammedans, and idolaters. The idolaters have many monasteries, where they worship their idols. Those idols are made either of stone, wood, or clay, some of which are inlaid with gold, and very artificially wrought. Some are so great that they contain ten paces in length, fastened to the earth, as if they lay upright, near which little idols are placed, which seem to give reverence to the greater, and both are much worshipped. The religious men seem to live more honestly than other idolaters, abstaining from whoredom, and other base things; yet wantonness is not held there any grievous sin; for they say, if a woman sues to a man, he may use her without sin, but not if he first sues to her. They reckon the whole compass of the year by moons. In the moons they observe in some five, in others four or three days, wherein they kill no beast, or bird, nor eat flesh. The laymen marry twenty or thirty wives, or as many as they are able to maintain; yet the first is accounted more worthy and more legitimate. The husband receives no dowry from the wife, but he himself assigns sufficient dowry in cattle, servants, or money, according to his ability. If the wife becomes hateful to the husband, it is lawful for him to divorce her from him when he pleases. They take for wives, without scruple, their kinswomen or mothers-in-law. Our author, together with his father and uncle, remained a year in this city for the dispatch of certain affairs. From the city Campion you proceed twelve days’ journey to the city Ezina, bordering on a sandy desert towards the north, being still in the province or kingdom of Tangut. Many camels are there, and many other beasts and animals of several kinds. The inhabitants are idolaters, living on the fruits of the earth, neglecting merchandise, or manual labour, other than husbandry. All the provinces and cities aforesaid, Sachion, Camul, Chinchintalos, Succir, Campion, and Ezina, are comprehended in Tangut.