... The men also tried not to meet her,
saying, 'The poor child will be ashamed.' If a meeting could not
be avoided the young woman put a mask on her face.... Nowadays,
the young wives only avoid showing to their male relatives-in-law
the uncovered body. Amongst the rich they avoid going about in
the presence of these in the chemise alone. In some places, they
lay especial emphasis on the fact that it is a shame for young
wives to show their uncovered hair and feet to the male relatives
of their husbands. On the other side, the male relatives of the
husband ought to avoid showing to the young wife the body
uncovered above the elbow or the sole of the foot, and they ought
to avoid indecent expressions and vulgar vituperations in her
presence.... That these observances are not the result of a
specially delicate modesty, is proved by the fact that even young
girls constantly twist thread upon the naked thigh, unembarrassed
by the presence of men who do not belong to the household; nor do
they show any embarrassment if a strange man comes upon them when
uncovered to the waist. The one thing which they do not like, and
at which they show anger, is that such persons look carefully at
their uncovered feet.... The former simplicity, with lack of
shame in uncovering the body, is disappearing." (Sieroshevski,
"The Yakuts," _Journal of the Anthropological Institute_,
Jan.
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