Sonderlinge reysen van Joseph, den geboornen Indiaan; bevattende een aanmerklijke beschrijvingh der landen,...

he gives himself many wounds, to the point that he nearly loses his life. Furthermore, he jumps, just as if he were going into a dance, into a burning woodpile prepared for this purpose. Finally, he comes out again with a very terrifying face and says that he has spoken with his God, who has commanded him this or that. After that, he begins to teach the people, as one who has received the power to do so from God. They have many other offerings, but these are not mentioned by Joseph the Indian.

CHAPTER III.

Wives of the King.

The King of Caranganor is a heathen, honoring idols. He has many wives, all living without shame or honor, committing lewdness with each other.

Burning of women.

When the men die, they are burned. Their wives do not live longer than eight days thereafter; then they are also burned with their husband, about which one finds a broader account elsewhere.

The King’s sons do not inherit the kingdom.

The King's sons do not inherit the kingdom, but rather the one who is his relative in the second degree. The unchastity of his wives causes his children to be considered bastards, and for this reason, they are not admitted to rule.

Hats of the men.

At the burial of corpses, they perform many strange gestures. Regarding the clothing of the heathens, the King has a pointed hat on his head made of Attalic cloth a type of rich, woven fabric often shot with gold or silver. The most prominent of the city wear caps of silk.

Otherwise go naked.

The others go bareheaded and otherwise entirely naked, having only covered their private parts with a clean cloth of linen.

Ornaments.

They decorate their arms with excellent precious stones. They also have very costly soles for their feet,