ANCESTORS, from antecedo, to go before, all those from whom a person is descended, except two immedi ate parents.
Veneration for ancestors is a sentiment so natural to mankind, that it has been expressed in almost all nations by peculiar ceremonies or solemnities. The family gods, whom the Romans worshipped under the name of Lares, were the manes of their forefathers. Hence Virgil re presents Ascanius, in his address to Nisus and Eurya lus, when setting out, under the cover of night, for the Rutulian camp, as entreating themfier Assaraci larenz by the shade of his ancestor Assaracus, to bring back B.neas in safety.
It is still customary among the Russians to honour the memory of their ancestors by anniversary feasts, called rodieoli sabot, or kinsmen? sabbaths. On these occasions they make formal visits to the dead in their tombs, of fering them provisions and presents of different kinds ; and with loud and lamentable cries, enquire what they are doing ? and of what they stand in need ? The Quojasos, an African tribe, imagine that the spirits of their fathers, whom they name jannaanin or Protector, reside in the sacred groves. These jannaanin they hold in the highest veneration, and implore their assistance in every emergency. They present to them sacrifices of rice, palm wine, and blood ; and thrice in the year, carry provisions for their sustenance to the sacred groves, which no woman or child is permitted to approach.
In no nation, however, is the memory of ancestors cherished with such profound reverence as among the Chinese. To worship departed parents was first en
joined as a duty by Knw, the fifth sovereign of that an cient empire ; it was confirmed by an express law of Confucius. and forms now a considerable part of the na tional religion. Besides two public festivals in spring and autumn, when they are worshipped with peculiar solemnity, a simple and a more private homage is paid to their ancestors by all the Chinese, whether of the Pagan or Christian persuasion. The names of their deceased fathers are inscribed in a niche in the walls of their houses, where, at stated times, they utter prayers, and present offering, of perfumes and spices, with all the external signs of adoration. So deep-rooted is this ve neration for their ancestors, that the Jesuits have found it advisable to indulge their new converts in this species of idolatry ; and even the Jews settled in China, in e said to worship their forefathers with similar ceremo nies. The same regard for their progenitors has given rise to another custom peculiar to the Chinese. As a person advances in rank or dignity, his dead ancestors arc in the same proportion preferred and ennobled. Em perors descended from vassal kings, elevated their pro genitors to the imperial dignity ; so that, in future, the same honours were paid to them as if they had in reali ty been emperors of China. The example was generally followed, and all now worship their ancestors according to the rank which they themselves hold. (k)