In imperial China.
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I read an article about Eunuchs that mentioned an odor about them because the wound left from the procedure never fully healed. (This is probably more information than anyone wants.)
ReplyDeleteI find that story so sad and depressing. These poor young men; did anyone ever ask them before they wre denied their manhood. The abuse of these men defies comment.
ReplyDeleteI know, it is horrible and cruel but was part of life for centuries in many non-Christian lands. From what I understand, their families were compensated and it was considered to be a way to a more comfortable life but at what a terrible price.
ReplyDeleteJulygirl, it was because the castration left them incontinent and they constantly dribbled urine. It's too sad to think about.
ReplyDeleteThe last castrato to sing at St. Peter's (in Rome) sang as late as 1921; there are extant recordings.
ReplyDeleteThe photo clearly states (in traditional Chinese) "Annam" which means secured or "pacified south." This was what the Imperial Qing government called the area that we know of today as the northern part of Vietnam. Annam was a vassal to China for hundreds of years, regularly sending castrated young men north as tribute to the Chinese kingdom. Ultimately, in a foreign policy move, the Qing relinquished Annam to the French as it was preoccupied with fears of Japanese expansionism in Korea (another one of China's historic vassals).
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