The Book of the Marvels of the World, Marco Polo - Odoric of Pordenone

Jatavarman Sundara and his subjects, f. 78r


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In the entire province of Coromandel, there are no tailors. Everyone goes about naked year-round, as the climate is always mild. Even the king remains unclothed, though he does wear a few items that I'll describe.

The king covers his privates with a cloth of finer quality than that of his subjects. He also wears a necklace of precious stones of great value. Additionally, around his neck, he wears a fine silk thread strung with one hundred and four large pearls and rubies, also of significant worth. These pearls are used for reciting the one hundred and four daily prayers to their idols, as their faith requires. This tradition has been passed down to him by his ancestors, who entrusted him with this obligation.


f. 78r

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Jatavarman Sundara and his subjects, f. 78r

In the entire province of Coromandel, there are no tailors. Everyone goes about naked year-round, as the climate is always mild. Even the king remains unclothed, though he does wear a few items that I'll describe.

The king covers his privates with a cloth of finer quality than that of his subjects. He also wears a necklace of precious stones of great value. Additionally, around his neck, he wears a fine silk thread strung with one hundred and four large pearls and rubies, also of significant worth. These pearls are used for reciting the one hundred and four daily prayers to their idols, as their faith requires. This tradition has been passed down to him by his ancestors, who entrusted him with this obligation.


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