'Om-om': the sound of bells beyond the Pesida
Editorial contextTungus sent east by the Russians met strangers who, by signs, said that thunder and a great noise of people were often heard across a river they called Pesida, repeating 'om-om'. The Muscovites decided this must be the sound of bells, and Massa guessed it was the edge of Cathay. A lovely example of how rumour pushed the map of 'Tartary' eastward.
only by signs and gestures, they made out so much that thunder was often heard on the other side by their saying: om-om; and also a dreadful noise and rumour of human beings; they pointed to the river, saying: Pesida … From the words om-om, the Muscovites afterwards came to the conclusion, that it must be the sound of bells
About unknown people reported by Tungus and Tartar guides
Keep in mind
Third-hand rumour interpreted by signs; nothing was found.
No river called Tatar
Editorial contextMedieval writers such as Vincent of Beauvais said the Tartars took their name from a river Tata or Tatar. Strahlenberg asked the Tungus peoples in Siberia and reports that they had never heard of such a river. He himself thought the Tungus and the Manchus were the 'original Tartars' from whom the name spread to others.
But then his Conjecture as to the Derivation of the Name Tartar, is erroneous, when he supposes they have taken it from a River call'd Tata, which, according to him, runs thro' their Country; … For after all possible Enquiry made among these Nations, I have been able to procure no Intelligence of any such Thing; Their Answer being constantly; that they know of no River call'd either Tata or Tatar.
About Tungus and Manchus ('Eastern Tartars')
Keep in mind
His claim that the Tungus and Manchus were the first Tartars is his own theory.
