The universal geography : earth and its inhabitants

THE MORDYINIANS. 403down the Volga as far as the Caspian. But this influence ceased in the thirteenthcentury, when the Russians were driven westwards by the Tatar invasions. Fromthe north, however, the steady advance of the Slavs suffered no check. TheNovgorodians, after colonising the banks of the Dvina and its head- streams,penetrated by this route to the Upper Kama basin, and even to the Ural valleys,where they came in search of salt, furs, and silver.The Mordves [Monica), more commonly known as Mordvinians, are, perhaps,one of the oldest historic peoples of Russia, if they are to be identified withPtolemy's Aorzes, the allies of Mithridates, and still the name of one of theirchief tribes, the Yerzan.Under their present appellation they are mentioned bythe Byzantine writers as a numerous people, who were often victorious over theRussians even in pitched battles.Partly subdued in the fourteenth century, butafterwards frequently attacked by the Nogais and Kalmuks, they have onlybeen completely subjected for three centuries. They still occupy all the MiddleVolga basin from the slopes of the Urals to the source of the Oka, but only inisolated enclaves. From the geographical names it is evident that they formerlyheld the whole of this region, but are now numerous only in the rural districtsnear the Volga, especially in the governments of Simbirsk, Penza, Samara, andNijni-Novgorod. Koppen estimated them at 400,000, but, including those thathave been completely Tatarised in language, religion, and customs, this Finnishpopulation must number from 800,000 to 1,000,000.Baptism has not prevented the Mordves from preserving their ancientmythology, by adapting it as far as possible to the instructions of their priests.Pas, their chief divinity, or " god of gods," has a son Inichi, whose worship isconfounded with that of Christ, and a mother Ozak, in whom they recognise theVirgin Mary.Next to these come the other gods, " Mother Earth," St. Nicholas,and all the special saints, who preside over field operations, protect the cropsand domestic animals. " The Mordves pray better than we do," say theRussians, " and their gods hear their supplications more readily than ours."In other words, the Mordves till their land and tend their animals more carefullythan do their Slav neighbours. "When St. Nicholas has done his duty by givingthem a good harvest, they reward him by smearing his mouth with butter orcream ; but when dissatisfied with him they lock him up in the barn, or else puthim in a corner with his face to the wall.No other race perhaps symbolizes more dramatically their belief in inimortalityand their dread of evil spirits. Amongst the Moksha the departed issupposed to visit his house for a period of forty days, always coming at the samehour, and performing his ablutions in a basin of clean water kept for the purposenear the window. On the fortieth day the family proceed to the grave,repeating the words, " Bide still with us ; come and share the meal we havegot ready for thee ; then rest in peace." Then the dead returns, at least in theperson of him amongst his friends who most resembles him, and who assumeshis dress, his expression of features, and his voice. As he enters the housethe inmates cry out, " Do not eat us, but accept our offerings." There-