y. If they come near enough to hand an
aged man a lighted pipe or a glass of water, the bearer must
always fall upon one knee."[987] "Great among the Oromo is the
veneration for the old. Failure in respect to age is considered
an injury to the customs of the country. The aged always sit in
the post of honor, have a voice in public councils, in
discussions, and controversies which arise amongst citizens. The
young and the women are taught to serve them on all
occasions."[988] The Hereros respect the old. Property belongs to
an old man even after his son assumes the care of it. Milk pails
and joints of meat are brought to him to be blessed.[989] The old
are well treated in Australia. Certain foods are reserved for
them.[990] Amongst the Lhoosai, on the Chittagong hills of
southeastern India, "parents are reverenced and old age honored.
When past work the father and mother are cared for by the
children."[991] The Nicobarese treat the old kindly and let them
live as long as they can.[992] The Andamanese also show great
respect to the old and treat them with care and
consideration.[993] The tribes in central Australia have no such
custom "as doing away with aged or infirm people; on the
contrary, such are treated with especial kindness, receiving a
share of the food which they are unable to procure for
themselves."[994] The Jekris, in the Niger Protectorate, "have
great respect for their fathers, chiefs, and old age generally.
Public opinion is very strong on these points."[995] The Indians
on the northwest coast of North America "have great respect for
the aged, whose advice in most matters has great weight."[996]
"Great is the respect for the aged" amongst the Chavantes, a Ges
tribe of Brazil.[997] Cranz[998] says that the Greenland Eskimo
take care of their old parents. "The Ossetines [of the Caucasus]
have the greatest love and respect for their parents, for old age
in general, and for their ancestors. The authority of the head of
the family, the grandfather, father, stepfather, uncle, or older
brother is unconditionally recognized. The younger men will never
sit down in the presence of elders, will not speak loudly, and
will never contradict them."[999] "A young Kalmuck never dares
show himself before his father or mother when he is not sober. He
does not sit down in the presence of old people, drawing his legs