A striking feature of the social organization of the aborigines is their strict monogamy and their marital fidelity for the duration of the marriage.[63] This custom is in marked contrast with that of many other primitive races--Africans, Australians, Mongols, American Indians: also with that of other Malay and Oceanic peoples, and most of all with that of the Chinese and Japanese. One of the latter, a government official in Formosa, with whom I was thrown into contact in connection with my expeditions into savage territory, pitied the _seban_ (savages) for not having a social organization sufficiently highly developed to have room within it for a _geisha_ system (that of professional singing and dancing girls) and that of a _yoshiwara_, the latter term being too well known in connection with Japanese cities to make explanation or definition necessary. Among the “green savages”--those who have not come into close touch with the Chinese and Japanese--adultery is punished with death, an unfaithful husband suffering the same punishment as an unfaithful wife; and prostitution is unknown. FOOTNOTES: [55] That is, of the same tribal group, which constitutes a social unit. [56] This, of course, does not apply to a forced oath, extorted through terror. [57] This constitutes part of the puberty initiation ceremonies. [58] See illustration of Paiwan skull-shelf, at the side of doorway of chief. [59] See _Formosa under the Dutch_, by Campbell. [60] See illustration of bachelor-house facing page 97. [61] See _Primitive Society_, by Robert H. Lowie, Ph.D., Assistant Curator in Anthropology, American Museum of Natural History. [62] Some groups of the Taiyal use pounded ginger-root, instead of salt, for flavouring their food. [63] This duration varies among the different tribes, as will be explained in the chapter dealing with MARRIAGE CUSTOMS. CHAPTER VII RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES Deities of the Ami and Beliefs of this Tribe regarding Heaven and Hell--Beliefs and Ceremonials of the other Tribes of the South--Descent from Bamboo; Carved Representations of Glorified Ancestors and of Serpents; Moon Worship; Sacred Tree, Orchid, and Grass--The Kindling of the Sacred Fire by the Bunun and Taiyal Tribes--Beliefs and Ceremonials of the Taiyal--Rain Dances; Bird Omens; _Ottofu_; Princess and Dog Ancestors--Yami Celebrations in Honour of the Sea-god.