Travels Of Marco Polo: Forty Three: Religion and Customs of Tartars

Here, the people are idolators and each person has, for the object of worship, a tablet fixed against an elevated part of the wall of his apartment, having a name written on it, which denotes the high, heavenly and mighty God, and this they daily worship, burning incense before it.  Raising their hands, and beating their faces three times on the floor, they entreat him to bless with sound understanding and bodily health, address him with no other petition.  Below on the floor, they have statue named Natigai considered as the god of terrestrial objects, or whatever is produced on the earth.  They suppose him to have a wife and children and worship them in the same manner with incense burning, lifting their hands and bending, so their forehead touch the ground before him.  They pray to him for good weather, plenty of crops, increase of family and such other objects.  They believe that soul is immortal, that immediately after death it enters another body.  They believe that a man's good deeds in this life will decide the outcome of his next life. If his life has been dedicated worthily and respectfully, he will be born, first as a lady, and if that life has been dedicated with virtues, her soul will enter into the body of a gentleman, and through this cycle of birth and rebirth the soul finally unite with eternity.  Only by good deeds and observance of virtuous path through all the cycles will assure ultimate goal.of uniting with God. If any intervening cycle is corrupted he may go through the life circle of a clown and ultimately a union with a dog.

They converse politely with each other, with happy countenance. They observe cleanliness while eating.  Utmost reverence is shown to parents.  There is a public tribunal to look into the cases of parental neglect.  Persons found guilty of parental neglect are punished with imprisonment.  

Gambling and other fraudulent games are prohibited in the country. Any property acquired by gambling shall be confiscated and added to public exchequer.  But this will be done in accordance with due process of law.

The orderly and regular manner in which members of all ranks of officials present themselves before the Great Khan deserves mention. On approaching half a mile within his residence, they observe humble and quiet demeanour, and observe silence, and speak with less noise. In the meeting in a hall, persons of every rank, carries a vessel, into which, in case of need, one spits, so that he may not soil the the floor. The official usually takes with him a spare white leather buskin when he goes to a meeting, summoned by his majesty, and on entering the hall, remove the worn out buskin and hand it over at the entrance and wear the white leather one that he carried with him. This precaution is taken not to sully the beautiful carpet spread in the hall.

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