As described by Father Vincenzo Sangermano
Edited and with notes by U Kyaw Tun, M.S. (I.P.S.T., U.S.A.). Set in html by UKT
and staff of TIL Computing and
Language Center, Yangon, for students and staff of TIL. Not for sale.
of the inhabitants of the Burmese Empire
The extensive territories which constitute the Burmese empire are not inhabited by one nation alone, but by many, differing essentially in language, manners, and customs. The principal of these are the Burmese, who occupy the tract of land called the kingdom of Ava, which extends from the city of Piè or Pron [Prome], in 19° north latitude, as far as 24°, and from 112° to 166° east longitude, from the meridian of the island of Ferro.
Next in importance are the Peguans [Talaings, Mons, Muns], anciently their competitors. They once formed a powerful monarchy, whose sovereigns were for a length of time masters of the kingdom of Ava. They inhabit the country called Pegù, extending, from west the east, from the island of Negraglià [Negrais] to the kingdom of Siam; and from north to south, from the city of Pron to that of Martaban. The Peguan language, is totally different from the Burmese.
The third nation is that of the Aracanese. Not many years ago, this likewise was an independent state, under the name of the kingdom of Aracan. The language of this country likewise differs entirely from that of the other two.
Beyond the point of Negraglià, as far as Azen [Assam], and even farther, there is a small chain of mountains that divides Aracan and Cassè [Manipur] from the Burmese. All these mountains are inhabited by a nation called Chien [Chin, Khyeng], part of which is independent, and part subject to the Burmese emperor. In the latter, besides a particular language and a peculiar manner of dress, there prevails a strange custom which deserves to be mentioned. It is that of tatooing with black the faces of the women. The origin of this custom is as follows. During the time that the residence of the Burmese
kings was in the city of Pagan, they were accustomed frequently to despatch their soldiers into the country of the Chìen to carry off the most beautiful women and girls. It was in order to free themselves from this disgraceful oppression that the Chien adopted the practice of thus disfiguring the features of their women.fn043-01
To the east of the Chien mountains, between 20° 30ˊand 21° 30ˊ north latitude, is a petty nation called Jò [Yaw]. They are supposed to have been Chien, who in progress of time have become Burmese, speaking their language, although very corruptly, and adopting all their customs. These Jò generally pass for necromancers and sorcerers, and are for this reason feared by the Burmese, who dare not ill-treat them for fear of their revenging themselves by some enchantment.
All that tract of land which extends from 25° to 20° north latitude, between the Chinese province of Junan [Yunnan], Siam and the kingdom of Ava, is inhabited by a numerous nation called Sciam [Shan], who are the same as the Laos. Their kingdom is divided into small districts under different chiefs called Zaboà [Sawbwa], or petty princes. From the time of Alomprà, the present king's father, till the beginning of the present reign, all these Zaboà were subjects and tributaries of the Burmese; but the cruel despotism, the continual vexations and oppressions of their masters have forced many of them to rebel; all of whom have leagued themselves with the Siamese, as we shall have occasion here-after to relate. In language, manners, and customs these Sciam bear a nearer resemblance to the Siamese than to the Burmese. fn043-02 Other tribes of the Sciam inhabit the forest to the north of the city of Miedù, and are otherwise called Konjen. These, although situated within the kingdom of Ava, still retain their own language, together with customs peculiar to themselves.
Casting our eyes upon the map of the Burmese empire, we shall see, that besides the nations already mentioned, there
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fn043-01 The practice existed in Arakan and Thayetmyu when I was in Burma. fn043-01b
fn043-02 The form Siam is nothing but a corruption of the French method of writing shan or 'Sciam.'--Census "Report, I89I, p.20I. fn043-02b
are also included in it the Cadù [Kadu or Kudo], the Palaun [Palaung], the Koes and the Cachien [Kachin, Kakhyeng],--who are descended from the real Chien, --nations, all of whom speak a peculiar language, and have customs different from the Burmese.
We must not omit here the Carian [Karen], a good and peaceable people who live, dispersed through the forests of Pegù, in small villages consisting of four or five houses. These villages, upon the death of any inhabitant, are thrown down and destroyed in a moment by the survivors, who suppose the devil to have taken possession of the place. It is worthy of observation that, although residing in the midst of the Burmese and Peguans, they not only retain their own language, but even in their dress, houses, and everything else are distinguished from them; and what is more remarkable, they have a different religion. This indeed only consists in adoring, or rather fearing, an evil genius whom they suppose to inhabit their forests, and to whom they offer rice and other food, when they are sick, or apprehend any misfortune. They are totally dependent upon the despotic government of the Burmese.
But it is not so with the other Carian who inhabit the neighbourhood of Taunù [Toungoo, Toung-ngoo, Taun-gu], and are called Red Carian [Karenni], to distinguish them from the former. These, retired in their mountains and inaccessible forests, have very often defied the Burmese, to whose yoke they have never submitted. The Red Carian, who live to the east of Canton about 24° north latitude, consider themselves as descended from these; because, when the Burmese seized upon the country of Taunù, many of the inhabitants took to flight. fn044-01
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fn044-01 See Appendix I. for more recent classifications of the peoples and languages of Burma. fn044-01b