THE KACHINS

TH EIR C USTO MS AND TRADITIO NS

RE V O
. H ANSO N , L ITT . D .

A R N GO O N

AMER ICAN BAPT IST M ISS IO N PRES S

F D PH INNEY S UPT
. .
, .

1 9 13
 C O NT E NT S .

I . Th e O rigin o f the K achins .

heir territo ry K achins in Burm a A ss am K achin s K ac hi n

T s in
O rigi n o f K ac hi n f amil i es
. . .

C hin a K ac h in t n b e s An c es tr al ho me
'

Migrati o n R e l atio n b e tween M aru and Bur

. . . .

T h e n am e K ac h in
mes e T errito ri al dis tri bution
. .

. .

II . K ac h z n
'

Di a lec ts .

Th e g o w r th o f di al ec ts N umber o f di al ec ts Grammar O uts id e

ingh p aw l e ading di al ec t M aru Ats i an d L ashi Rel a
. . .

infl ue nc e J
o th e r gro u ps
. . .
,

ti o n s to Th e so urc e C l as s ifi c ati o n
. . .

III . C ou n try , Village a nd H ome .

The c oun try F aun a Fl r

o a Th e v ill age Vill age en tranc e ( mo a
ing floor Th e ho us e H ous e
. . . .

hang ) . Pl ac e fo r t h e n at al t ars . D an c . .

IV . Appearance a nd D res s .

Phys iogn o my Phys iq

ue D res s a mo ng me n Sword an d b ag
Wo me n s dres s
. . .

’
.

V . C ha rac teri s tics H abits , a nd C us toms .

I n d e p e n d en t R ve nge fu l R es erve d H on e sty H o s pital ity Pe r

e
s o n al h abits C he w ing dri nki ng an d s mo ki ng Foo d
. . . . .

R efin e m en t
M oral s an d etiq
.
, . . .

u e tte
”
.

VI Governmen t and La w
. .

P atri arc h ial fo rm o f go v ern men t R e b e l c h i efs Th e hered itary

c h ie f T h e vi ll age p l e ad e r E l d ers R e l igious o ffi c i al s Pro p erty
. .

T he ft A l o an Ad ul tery I llegi mat e c h i l dren Bl ood mo n ey

. . . . .

L aw -

D es e rti o n an d e l o p e men t
. . . . . .

Inh eritanc e . .

S l ave ry Agric u ture l T rading M ining Bl ac ks miths Hunti ng

ther wo rk o f th e wo men B ask e ts and
. . . . .

an d fi shin g We avi ng . . O .

mats .

VI II Weapons and Wa rfare

. .

T h e sw o rd ( dah ) S p e ar C ro ss b ow Gun s -
Powd er Warf are
S toc k ad es Pitfall s K ac hi n bravery Shi el d s
. . . . .
.

.
. .
 vi TH E KACH INS .

IX . S ocia l L ife a nd A mus emen ts .

C hi l dre n at Pl ay Wo me n Y o ung p eo p l e Th e vi l l age b ard

Th e great re l igi o us d an c e
. . . .

M us i c D an c e an d d an c ing ( mana u )
d th d an c e
. . . .

Th e ea -
.

X . I n tellec tua l D evelopment .

K ac hin s i ll iterate Sign l angu age Drawing C al en d ar M e asure s -

M oney N umbers P l an ts an d m e dicines Proverbs Rid

. . . . .

Wi te gh s . . . . .

C re ati on Fl oo d O rigin o f d e ath Th e l o s t b o o k Wh y t h e

K ac h in s are n at w o rs hipp ers E x p l an ati o n o f n atu ral p h en o me n a
. . . .

T h un d er T h e rai n b o w E c l ip s e s u ak e
-
. .

E arth q Th e mo o n Th e
O rigin o f t h e re l igi o us d an c e Firs t man t o die o f s n ak e
. . . . .

un i v ers e
b ite H ow fi re was disc o vere d Firs t m an b urn e d t o d e ath C usto ms
. .

o b s e rv e d af t e r a fire Firs t m en kill e d b y ac ci dent First man

. .
.

dro wned Wh y t h e K ac h ins o ff er t o t h e s pirit o f je al ousy H o w

. .

ri c e was obtain ed H o w water was found

. .

. .

Attemp ts di s c l o se th e s ec rec t s o f t h e future Th e medium

to
Th e d ivi n er O me n s dre ams
. .

D ivi n ati o n Augu ri es C h arms

Rul es t o in s ure go o d l uc k O rd e al s Witc h c raft
. . .
. .
,

C ursi ng
“
. . . .

p
S irit-wo rs hi p
R etic enc e regar ing etai s Anc es tor worshi d d l p
p d
. .

Uni vers al ity o f s irits D re a o f t h e n ats N o tr ac e o f to te mi s m

p d ff
. . .

th e ries t h oo J a iwa D ums a Hpu nglu m O erin gs N at a tars

- -
l
d p
. . .
, , .

T h e n at Pri mitive n ats O f l ater ate An c es tra s irits F ates l

p p
. . . . .

W itc h mats F e ar t h e mo tive o w er in th eir re igio n Pro iti ati o n

-
l
b d pp ff d d
. .

o f t h e mat s O jec ts s ou ght O r e r o f s e rvi c e A e asing o e n e

W d d
. . .

n ats ar i n g o f
f anger Prayers fo r ri c hes S o wi ng an d h arve s t
H p ll p p
. . .

el n i n e ss d e as o f a s u re me b ei n g o w o rs h i I
i
s ti val s i N in
e . . .

l s ll o n or .

L a ge r f a mil i es d
ire d Rul es o b s erve d at c h il d birt h C utting o f
es
N t lf
P urifi c ati on o f t h e ”mo th er D e ath in c o nfin e
-
. .

t h e n ave l a a e as t
N ic k n ame s G en eral re m arks
. . .

men t N ames an d n amin g

. .
“ -
. .

C o urts hi p P
r t rrangi n g t h e d etail s C o n s an guinit ) A bduc
a en s a
Pre l min ari e s Pro p o s al Pri c e p ai d Brid e l e avin g t h e p aren tal
. .

t Il i

ho me Pres en ts ex chan ge d M arri age c ere mo ny Bl e s s in g t h e brid e

. . . .

Tes ti ng h e r mi nd W ork o f t h e jaiwa R e turn o f t h e bri dal p arty

. . .
.

B rid e visiti ng h er p aren tal home

. . .

.
 CO NT ENTS .

XVI . Funera l Ceremonies .

Li f ft r thi
e a e s s pirit (t
Influenc e d by Buddhis m Inhuma
Th e s u)
O rd r f f Ann o un c eme nt o f d e ath Shro ud
. . .

tion e o u n e ral c e re m o ni es
ing w as h in g an d re mo vin g t h e c o rp s e Pl ac e d in s tate M aki ng
. . .

Firs t p art o f t h e fu neral d an c e Grave

. .
,

t h e c o ffi n T h e karoi
Buri al S ec o nd p art o f t h e c ere mo ni es D e ath d anc e Putting t h e
. . .
.

s p irit t o s l e e p Hiding o f t h e c o rps e Fin al c er e monies at th e

. . .

ho us e S en ding aw ay o f t h e s piri t S p ink ling t h e ho use o f moum

. .

R e e n s t at eme n t o f th e famiiy n ats

. .

ing Th e l as t s ign -
. .
.

XVI I . Th e Fu ture o f the K ach ins .

Bo un d up with t h e future o f Burma B ac kward rac es an d t h e

n ew l i f e Res pec t for law E duc ati o n Th e K ac h in Military P o lic e
.

. . . .

T erm s of re l ationship .

F a mily n ames . L is t of t h e mos t c ommon f amily names .

fir st” ?
 I N T RO D U C T I O N .

In publis hi n g this volume o n t h e K achins I pre se nt ,

t h e res ults o f m an y y e ars of s tudy an d co n t act with this

i nt ere st i n g p e opl e I h ave vis ited th e m in almos t e ve ry
.

p art of K ac h inland from A s s am t h e H uko n g Vall ey and

, ,

t h e co n flu e n c e of t h e Ma l i and N Mai ri ve rs to t h e s outh e rn

-
,

mos t p art of t h e N orth e rn S h an S t ates Amo n g t h e .

K achins in Chinese te rritory ve ry littl e origi n al work h as

b ee n don e but we are s ure th at in re g ard to life
, ,

cu s tom s and re ligio n they are pr actic ally o ne with th e ir

kins m e n to t h e we s t .

Th e book m akes n o cl aim to b e e xh au s tive es p eci ally ,

in re g ard to d e t ail e d accou n t s of r e ligiou s cu s tom s and

tr adition al lore T wo o r three volum e s of thi s S ize would
.

n o t s uflI c e if w e s hould att e mpt mi n ut e d e t ail s

'

an d a

full coll e ction o f all the ir s tori es Eve ry commun ity exhibits
.

s om e p eculi ariti es in r e g ard to re ligiou s pr actice s ; th e y

m ay h ave the ir o wn loc al divi n iti es atten din g t o th eir

S p eci al n ee d s , re ce ivi n g ho n or in s om e p articul ar w ay
The re is n o p articul ar g ain in followi ng out all thes e d et ail s ,

as th e y afte r all b e ar t h e m ark s o f wh at is r e cogn iz e d as

t h e g en e r al re ligiou s cu s tom s an d c e re mo n i es S tori e s an d

.

tr aditio ns h ave al s o loc al colouri n gs an d it is prove rbi a l

th at pri e s ts and s tory t e ll e rs do n o t agree amo n g th e m
-

s e l ve s
. Wh at w e h e re atte mpt is to pres e nt t h e K achi n
as h e app e ar s in h is e ve ryd ay life in his mou n t ain
home and an accou n t of h is cu s toms an d re ligio n as far as
,

the y are common and acce pted by all .

 viii THE KAC II INS
-
.

O prin cip al s ourc e o f inform atio n reg ardi ng t h e hill

ur

tribes is t h e G az e tte e r o f Upp e r Burm a an d t h e S h an

”
S tates T hi s is an e xc e ll e n t work re prese n ti n g a v as t
.

amou n t o f l abour I h ave n o t m ade it a point to criticize

.

o r corr e ct t h e accou n t o f t h e K ach ins th e re gi ve n O nly .

a fe w t im e s h ave I quot e d from it s p ag es whe re in s o ,

doin g I am e n abl ed to bri n g out my o wn vi e w more cl e arly .

I h ave pre fe rred to te ll my o w n s tory as I h ave it from t h e ,

life o f t h e K achins an d from a lo n g ob s e rv ation o f the ir

,

vill age an d hom e life T hos e p articul arly in teres ted in t h e

.

s ubj ec t c an e as ily fin d o ut wh e r e w e diffe r or agree .

H avi n g followe d thi s course it do es n o t m ean th at I do n o t

,

h eartily appre ci ate wh at h as b e en done by othe rs T h e .

a ccoun t as gi ve n in t h e G az e tt e e r is quit e full an d re m ark ,

ably e x act for t h e t im e it w as writt en ; an d t h e compil e rs ,

wh o g en e ral ly h ad t o d e p e n d o n t h e as s i s t an ce o f int e rp re
ters di d th eir work wo nderq y we ll
, .

T h e te mpt ation h as b e en s tro n g to comp ar e t h e K achi n

cus toms an d re ligion with t h e practice s o f rel ate d trib es
s uch as t h e Kar en s Chin s N agas G aros Mis hmis and
, , , ,

Abo rs T h e Ass am Ce n s u s Re port o f 189 1 is p articul arly a

.

great s tore house furn i s he d with m ate ri al for e th n ologic al

s tudy an d mo s t o f t h e bord e r trib es th e re d es crib ed h ave a
,

great d e al in co mmo n But in a work o f thi s ki nd it is

.

bes t t o confine ours e lves to t h e p articul ar pe opl e u nd e r

s urv e y Wh en mon ographs o f all t h e pri ncip al tribes
.

an d r a ces are b e fore u s s om e o n e will s e ttl e down to t h e

,

invitin g tas k o f givin g us a compre h ens ive Vi e w o f t h e

whol e fie ld .

Th e ch apte r o n t h e O rigin o f t h e K achin s w ill prob ably

see m t o o r adic al as it go e s co n tr ary to m an y g e ne r ally
,

acce pted id e as o f t h e K achi n commu n al l if e We are prob a .

“ ”
bly n o t ready to drop t h e word tribes wh en s p eakin g
.

of t h e fi ve rulin g famili es But to S how h o w thi s s implifie s

.

m atte rs let me quote from t h e G azettee r p age 402 , ,

Ch ap VII S pe aki n g about family n ames t h e author s ays

. .

It is s omewh at s ingul ar th at all h avi ng t h e s am e s urn am e ,

 mTRO DUCT IO N . ix

whe th er th e y be lon g t o t h e sam e o r differen t tri bes re g ard ,

th e m s e lves of o n e blood and do n o t i nterm arry T hu s .

a M ar an C h umlu t c ann ot t ak e a wif e from t h e S z i C h umlu t .

Thi s is i nte re s tin g bec au se it s ugge s ts tote mis m and

, ,

b ec au s e it s hows th at t h e family di s tin ction s are olde r

”
th an t h e trib al . T h e author of th ese s e n ten c es c ame n ear
s tumblin g o n t h e tru e s olutio n of t h e probl e m A C hamlu t
.

is a C h amlu t un d e r wh at e ve r chi e f h e m ay li ve an d c an n ot
,

m arry anyon e with th at n ame T h e fact th at h e is t h e

.

s ubj e ct of a M ar an or L ahp ai chi e f do e s n o t in t h e l e as t

in te rfe re with h is family re l atio ns H e is n o t a Maran

.

o r La h p ai S imply a C h a mlu t who may at an y time mo ve

,

an d se ttl e do wn in a vill ag e rul e d by a M an p N hkum

'

or L aht aw chi e f It is quite tru e th at f amily dis tin ctions

.

T o t h e K achi n mi n d th e re
”
are old e r th an t h e trib al .

is n o t hin g but family di s ti n ctio n s how e ve r i n v ol ve d th e y

,

may s ee m to u s . If w e for t h e s ak e of conven i e nce

, ,

s till u s e t h e word trib e to dis tin guis h t h e ruli ng famili es

in th e ir c ap aciti e s as Chi eft ain s w e s hould n o t forge t
,
“
th at t h e family of a chie f is n o more a trib e th an is
t h e f amily of an y othe r n am e . I n this work howe ve r I , ,

h av e av oid ed t h e us e o f t h e word b e cau se o f t h e confus io n

it h as c au se d.

In tr aci n g three diffe ren t move m en ts in t h e K achin

adv an c e s outh I am relyin g o n vagu e hin ts in th e ir
tr adition s and o n s t ate me nts o f a fe w o ld men whose
,

Opin ions h ave s e emed to me worthy o f cons id eration If .

my m e mory do es n o t fail me t h e firs t o ne w h o put me

,

o n thi s tr ack w as an old G auri chi e f of Mah t im o n e o f ,

t h e mo s t i n te llig en t K achi n s I h ave e ve r s ee n .

In a s uppl e m en t I h ave tri e d to e lucid ate t h e i n tri c ate

qu es tion of K achin re l ation s hip and family n ames Tho s e .

th at wi s h to purs u e th e se s tudi es furth e r wi ll fi nd s om e h e lp

from t h e K achi n D iction ary an d Gramm ar Th e origin al of
.

m any o f t h e s tori es and tr aditions given in th ese p ages will

be foun d in t h e K achin S pe llin g Book an d Firs t Read e r .

Tho se wh o h ave com e in cont act with t h e K achins

x THE KACH IN S .

will n o doubt h ave in mind m any p articul ars n o t m entioned

in th es e p ages My aim h as be e n to prese nt t h e e sse n ti al
.

fe ature s th at will i nte res t t h e e th n ologis t and t h e s tud e n t of

l an guage an d comp ar ative re ligion an d gi ve a pr actica l
,

worki ng kn owledge of K achi n w ays h abits an d cu s tom s

, .

O . H .

N amkh am N orthern S ha n S ta tes,

,

1 9 12 .

t h i r
d?
 THE KACHINS
THEIR CUSTO MS AND TRADITIO NS .

CHAPT ER I .

TH E O RIGI N O F T HE KA CH I NS .

Th e K achi ns occupy a l arge and fe rtil e t erritory e xte ndi n g

from 29 n orth l atitud e to almo s t 23 n orth l atitu d e
° °
.

They are a mou n t ai n p e opl e and it is o n ly re ce ntly

,

th at s ome of th e m h ave t ak en to t h e pl ains wh ere th ey

, ,

howeve r rapidly d e ge ne rate or lo s e the ir p e culi ar ch aracte r

,

is t ics
. Mos t o f th e m live withi n t h e bound ari es o f Briti s h
Burm a but l arge n umbe rs i n h abit t h e hill cou n try of
,
-

wes te rn Yunn an and s m aller commun iti es are fou n d in

,

Ass am and alo n g t h e borde rs o f T ibe t T h e whole o f

.

n orth e rn Burm a down to t h e 24t h p ar all e l is l arge ly u n d e r

K achin influe nce O n t h e wes t s id e o f t h e Irrawaddy

.

the y are n o t as s trongly re prese nte d as o n t h e e as t but ,

the y are found as far s outh as K ath a and Wu ntho holdi ng ,

t h e hill s in t h e M og au n g di s trict and in un di s put e d po sse s

,

s io n of t h e cou n t ry n orth of K am ai n g t h e J ad e mi n es
-
, ,

an d t h e whol e of t h e H uko n g v all e y T h e hill tr act b e twe e n

-
.

Myitkyi n a an d t h e K ampti v all ey is in h abited by t h e

H k ahku K achi ns an d t h e
, S in gh p o famili e s are s till
n um e rou s o n t h e n orth e as t bord e r of Ass am O n the
-
.

e as t of t h e gr e at art e ry th e y hold both mou n t ai ns an d

 vall eys as far as t h e S alwee n and are quite n um erou s as far
,

s outh as N orth H se n wi an d t h e R uby mi n es di s t rict For -

.

m e rly t h e l arge pl ai n s in t h e Bh amo di s trict an d n orth e rn

S h an S tates w e re al s o tribut ary to th e m T h e K achi n chi e f .

live d in h is mou n tain fortress from which h e s en t h is

”
,

s ubordin at e s to coll ect t axe s or l evy bl ackm ail o n t h e

S h an s and Burm ans in t h e lowl an ds If th e re w as an y .

del ay in p aym en t or if the y s howed any s pirit of in s ub ordi

,

n atio n t h e robbe r chi ef took quick v en ge an c e r aidi n g th e ir

,
-
,

vill ages o r impo s i n g a h e avy fi ne in gr ai n c attl e an d mo n ey , .

It is o n ly t h e Briti s h rul e th at h as put an en d to th e ir

co n qu es ts an d es t ablis h e d p eace an d ord e r amo n g t h e hill s
, .

The A ss am K a chins T h e S inghpo of Ass am is t h e s am e

.

as t h e jinghpaw or K achi n o f Burm a T h e Ass am es e b e i n g

.

u n abl e to pron ou n ce t h e word jinghpaw ren de r it S inghpaw , .

T h e tru e S inghpaw is in mo s t p ar ticul ars o n e with his

kin s men furth e r s outh and in form e r d ays th ere w as a
,

great d e al more i ntercommu n ic atio n th an ther e is n o w

b e tween t h e t wo se ction s The re are al so s om e s m al l
.

families su ch as t h e D arungs and Faq ueers who s pe ak

S inghpo but are o f m ix ed blo o d Pure S inghpos (K achin s )

, .

are fou n d eas t o f Le do an d t h e di al e ct is s pok e n as far

,

wes t as D ibrug arh an d Gol agh at Th e D arungs h ave a .

s tory th at the y w e re for g e n e ration s h e ld as s l aves by

t h e D arun g river in t h e H uko n g v all e y wh en t h e S han s ,

(n o doubt u n d e r t h e rul e o f t h e Ahom s ) rul e d t h at coun try , .

Thu s the ir d i ale ct be c ame l arge ly a S h an p atoi s and th e y ,

los t m an y o f th e ir K achin ch aracte ri s tics T h ere is app a .

re n t ly s om e truth in thi s an d t h e Ahom rul e is n o doubt

,

re s pons ibl e for t h e fact th at t h e K achin s ne ve r be cam e

so s tro n g o n t h e wes t s id e of t h e Irr aw addy as o n t h e e as t .

K ac hins in C h ina I n wes te rn Y unnan t h e A t s i K achi n s

.

are ve ry n um e rous an d furth e r n orth are fou n d t h e M aru s ,

N un gs an d oth e r alli ed tribe s o f which ve ry littl e is kn own

, , .

Wh e n more h as been l earned re g ardin g t h e fron tie r tribes we

will kn ow more about t h e race as a whol e and the ir
pas t movem en ts We kn ow howeve r th at in l an gu age
.
, , ,
 THE O R IG IN O F THE KAC H INS . 13

h abits cu s to ms and religio n th e y do no t m ate ri ally diffe r

,

from the ir ki ns me n in oth e r p arts of Kac hinland .

K ach in tribes Th e re are s trictly s pe akin g n o K ac hi n

.
, ,

tribes T h e y th ems e l ves re cogn i ze only diffe re n t families

.

an d li n gui s tic di vi s io n s For t h e s ak e of conve n i ence .

,

howe ve r w e m ay call t h e group o f families th at sp eak

,

t h e s ame di al e ct a t rib e o r a cl an w h il e w e e mploy t h e ,

n am e K achi n for t h e p e ople as a whol e S till it mu s t .

be re me mb red th at t h e li ngui s tic and f amily divi s ion s are

n o t at all c o te rmi n ou s Follo wi n g t h e li n gui s tic divi s ions
-
.

we h ave t h e jinghpaw M dru L eis h i A ts i an d N ung t ribes , , , , ,

while t h e H kaku Gauri an d S ds an s imply re pres en t local

’

con ditio ns All K achi n s howe ve r wh ateve r di al e ct th e y

.
, ,

S p e ak c all th e m se l ve s jinghpaw an d re cog n iz e a commo n

, ,

s ourc e an d an c e s try M o s t of th e m kn ow n othin g about

.

t h e word K achin and those th at do as a rul e r es e n t , ,

t h e app e ll atio n a s c arryi n g with it an un pl e as an t re fe re n ce

,

to th e ir b arb arous and un civil ize d w ays But w e acce pt t h e .

te rm b ec au se is is in commo n us e an d is t h e o n ly n ame ,

in which all th es e di vi s io ns and s ubdivi s io ns c an b e

in clude d T h e Yawyi n or Lis haw tribe are by s om e K achi ns

.

cl aim e d as di s t an t re l ati ve s an d m an y of th e m live withi n ,

K achin te rritory but the y prefe r to re gard the ms e lve s as

,

an offs hoot from t h e C hi n ese an d in thi s th e y a re un doubt ,

edly corre ct .

O rigin of K a ch in Fa milies Accordin g to K achi n traditio n .

,

(our o n ly authority o n t h e s ubj e ct) th e y are t h e d es c e nd an ts ,

of a ce r tai n Wah kyet ma a se mi mythologic al figure H is ,

-
.

fiv e old es t s o n s b e c ame t h e prog e n itor s of t h e five re cog

niz ed f amili e s of C hi eft ai n s T h ese are .

L a N Ga m (M a rip wa Gu mja) t h e gold e n fathe r of

'

-
, ,

t h e M drip f amily .

L a N N a w (L ah taw wa N a w La wn) t h e
-
, aggr es s i ve ,

father of t h e L ah taws .

La N L a -
(L ahpa i wa L a Ts a n) t h e
, far s pre adi ng ,
-

f athe r of t he t pais .
14 T HE KACH INS .

L a N Tu, -
( Ts it wa Tu H kum), t h e verd an t and growin g
fath er of the N Hku ms -
.

L a N Ta ng-
, (M aran wa N ings ha wng ), t h e firs t of the

From th e se five f amilies come all t h e h e re dit ary chi e fs ,

and n o o n e bea ri n g o ne o r t h e oth e r o f th es e n am e s c an

e ve r b e cou n t e d amo n g t h e common e rs Wh en a br an ch .

o f a chi e f s f amily lo s es c as te an d dwi ndl es do wn amo n g

’

t h e commo n p eopl e t h e origi n al n am e an d all th at go es

,

with it is lo s t (S ee S uppl e m en t II)

. .

Followin g th e s e five we re born thre e you ng er s on s who ,

did n o t b e com e rul e rs T h e ir f amili es b e c am e id e n tifie d

.

with and ab s orb e d in t h e thre e s m all es t of t h e firs t five ,

thu s h e lpin g to s we ll th e ir n umbe rs T h es e are .

L a N Ya w who b e c am e o n e with t h e N H kum f amily

,
-
.

L a N H ka who b e c am e id e n tifi e d with t h e L ah ta ws h is

-
, ,

p articul ar d e s cen d an ts be comin g kn own as t h e L ah ta w

H ka s h u Hh a s h a t h e di v id ed c hildre n of t h e L ah ta ws
,
.

”
L a N Kying -
t h e br an ch
, who abod e with t h e M ara n
family h is childre n b e i n g gi ven t h e n am e M aran wa Kying
,

N ung t h e outgrowi n g br an ch es of t h e M arans

, In di vid .

n al s from thes e famili es m ay al s o b e com e chi e fs but ,

are n o t r e cko n e d in dign ity with t h e r e gul ar Chi e ft ai n s .

According to o ne tradition Wahkyet wa h ad thre e wi ves , ,

a ccordi n g to oth e r s ourc e s t en tim es th at n umbe r Th e .

firs t o f th es e M dgawng K abang M ajan is app are n tly t h e

, ,

moth e r o f t h e chie fs although thi s is n o t quit e ce rt ai n T h e

,
.

oth er wi ves b e c am e t h e moth e rs of t h e n um erou s f amilies of

”
commo n ers (daroi dara t) who are rul e d by t h e chi e fs
"

, ,

from t h e rulin g f amili es The se c an n e ve r c arry t h e .

n am e o f a chi e f e xc e pt in t h e s e n se th at th e y are h is

s l av es d e pe n d an t s or s ubj e ct s
, A t p ai chief for i nst an ce
. , ,

will rul e ove r a vill age wh e re th e re are re pre se n te d s cores

an d s cor es of commo n f amili es T h e cu s tom of n ami n g .

s uch a commu n ity aft e r t h e chi e f n atur ally gave ri s e to t h e

impress ion th at t h e chie f an d h is s ubj e cts we re of t h e s ame

”
tribe whil e in re ali t y t h e commo n pe opl e b e ar t h e n am e
,
 T HE O R IG IN O F T HE KACH INS . 15

of th e Chi
ftain on ly by courtes y o r as a m atter o f c o n
e

v e n ie n ce Th .e r e c an be n o blood r e l a tio n b e tw e e n th e m .

A nces tra l H o me Wh ere are w e to look for t h e an ce s tr al

.

home of Wah kyet wa an d h is v ali ant s o n s ? If we could

ans w e r thi s qu es tio n with ab s olut e c e rt ai n ty w e would

bri n g light o n m any an ob s cure poin t in e arly Burm an

hi s tory But h e re w e are l eft to o
.

tio ns and co n s e qu en t co nj e cture s .

three fai n t b e acon lights to guid e

t ai nty (1 ) All K achin s cl aim th at th e y come from M ajoi
.

S h ingra B um or K aa ng S h ingra ; (2) th e ir tr aditio n s i n dic at e

'

an acqu ai n t an c e with t h e s o urc e s of t h e Irr aw addy an d ,

”
( )
3 t h e n am e s o f t h e origi n a l di s trict s rul e d by t h e

firs t an ce s tr al C hi e fs h ave b ee n h an d ed down to u

It would s e em th at with these l an dm ark s to guid e u s
g
we would b e abl e to d e te rmi n e s om e thi n g re g ardi n g th e ir
e arly hom e But a clo s e e x ami n atio n l e ad s to t h e dis
.

appoi n ti n g co n clu s io n th at we are o n ly d e ali n g with l e ge n d s

from which very littl e o f a hi s toric al Ch ar acte r c an b e

e xtr act e d an d wh er e w e s e e m to h ave hi s tory it l e ad s
,

u s o n ly two or three c e n turi e s b ack O ur firs t qu es tio n .

is wh e re to loc ate M djoi S h ingra Bu m or as it is al s o c all e d , ,

K aang S hingra or M ajoi S h ingra H k ina awt T h e m e an i n g

'
.

o f t h e word s are f airly pl ai n Th e o n ly qu es tio n is wh a t

.

i n te rpre t ation to give to t h e word S h ingra It may m e an .

l e ve l e ven or ori gin al an d thu s commo n In e ith e r c as e

, , .

“
t h e m e an i n g would b e cl e ar It is t h e n aturally fl at
.

(or origi n al ) mou n t ai n t h e c en tr al (or Common) pl ai n

” “ ”
, ,

I n e ach c as e w e h ave
“ ”
th e bord e rs of t h e common pl ain .

t h e picture o f a pl at e au o r high t abl e l an d t h e an c e s tral -

,

hom e s itu at ed at t h e c e ntre of t h e o rld b e i n g t h e bord e r

, ,

l and to all s urrou ndi n g cou n tri es All K achins wh e n c o n .

fron te d with t h e qu es tio n wh e re thi s mou n t ain is to b e

i nvari ably re ply
“ ”
W ay up th e re poi n ti n g to t h e
, ,

Furthe r th an thi s th ey c ann ot carry us A fe w will .

a high s n o w c lad mou n t ai n r e mi n di n g u s o f D aph u

,

Bum in n orth e as t e rn A ssam -

T h at t h e old K achi n s we re
.
 16 THE KAC H INS .

a cqu ainted with thi s n obl e hill is quite certain and t h e ,

word bum is t h e K achin for mo un t ain But to d ay it .

lin ge rs in th e ir tr adition as a kin d of Moun t Me ru O the rs .

cl aim th at it is a l an d of s n ow an d fros t much colde r th an ,

an y pl ac e n o w i n h abit e d by th e m H e re too w e d e al mo s t
.

like ly with m e re co nj e ctures an d impress io n s T h e K achins .

h ave n o t e rm for s n ow whil e th ey h ave a word for fros t

,

which th ey s ee e very cold s e as o n amon g th eir pr es e n t hill s .

Even a n orth ern K achin mu s t borrow a C hinese t e rm wh en

n ami n g a s n ow drift
-
S ome of th e H uko n g K achi n s loc ate
.

t h e mou n t ai n in t h e t e rritory occupi ed by t h e N ungs ,

n orth e as t of K amh t i Lo n g
-
Th at th e y occupi e d thi s di s trict
.

for s om e tim e o n th e ir w ay s outh is c ert ain but it cann ot ,

h ave b ee n th e ir ori gi nal hom e .

Whil e an acqu ain t an ce with t h e h e ad w ate rs of t h e -

Irr awaddy is e vid e n t it does n o t throw much light o n

,

our e n quiry Four gre at ri ve rs are m e ntione d in t h e old

.

tr aditio ns T h e are t h e M ali hka (t h e Irr aw addy) c all ed

.
,

in po e tic l an gu age ]a d t h e gold e n fe m al e K a w which

, ,
“
w as m e as ure d out (by t h e Cre ator) with a gold e n s poo n ;
n o doubt a r e fe re n c e to t h e w e ll kn own f act th at gold

h as always b een was h e d in thi s ri ve r ; t h e N M a i h ka ; -

(t h e N M ai ri ve r) c all e d figurati ve ly fa L u t h e gold en L u

-
, , ,

s i s t e r to t h e M ali hka ( an oth e r r e n d e ri n g m ak es t h e N M a i

'

t h e wif e of t h e M ci li) m e as ure d out with a S il ve r s poo n ; t h e

,

gen e ral b e li e f is th at t h e N M a i produc es s il ve r as t h e

-

M ali gold ; t h e N S h awn (prob ably t h e D ih ing) re g ard e d

-
,

as a m al e m eas ured out with a copp e r s poo n an d t h e ,

H pu nggawn (mo s t lik e ly

ge n d e r a n d humbl e ori gi n c an b e s af e ly i nf e rr e d

from t h e m e ntion of th e s e n am e s is th at t h e K achin hord es

two or three cen turi e s 0 we re livi n g in t h e te rritory drai n ed
by th es e gr e at art e ri es T h e y co ul d n o t for s ome tim e
.

bre ak throu gh t h e b arri e r th at k e pt th e m b ack b eyo n d

t h e 2 8 t h p ar all e l O n ly a s t h e S h an powe r in As s am an d
.

Y u n n an b e gan to w e ak e n could t h e w arriors press s ou t h .

(But th at th e y live d in thi s r e gio n prob ably for ce n turi es ,

 THE O R IG IN O F TH E K A CH IN S . 17

doe s n o t prove th at th is w as actu ally th eir ances tr al ho me .

”
This w as th eir wild e rn e s s wh e re th ey we re train ed
for t h e se con d and mos t import ant adv anc?)
Wh e n w e e x amine t h e n ames of t h e ori gi n al di s tricts
rul e d by t h e fi ve p are n t chi e fs and try t o id e n tify th em ,

with pres en t loc alitie s we find th at th es e record t h e memd

,

ri e s o f t h e firs t Co n ques ts afte r th e y h ave l e ft t h e n orth

K amh t i cou n try an d t h i s l e ad u s b ack o nl y about t w o
'
'

hu ndred and fift y or three hun dred ye ars H er e as e l s e wh ere .

''

tr aditio n is no t u n an imou s b ut t h e m o s t likel y ve rs ion is

' ‘

th at ( 1) Th e gold e n fath e r of t h e M drips ru le d t h e

,

Wang Ya t h e roun d pl ai n which may re fe r to th e H uko n g

'

, ,

wh e re t h e M drills are n umero us ; (2) t h e aggres s i ve rul e r

o f t h e L ah taws occupi e d t h e l aw Man ja w Hk a ng which
'
'

may b e a s trip o f N aga l an d in n ort h eas tern As s am o r

”

t h e hill s e as t o f the M ali h ka up t o t h e n he ld b y Burm , ans

and Chi ns ; (3 ) t he
”
far S preadin g L ahpai rul ed th e l arge
Tawn S ingkawng di s trict prob ably id enti c al with t h e
,

S in gk a wn g H ill s in t,
h e H ka h k u cou ntry (4) t h e
“
v e r d an t

an d gro win g father o f t h e N H ku ms h e ld S w ay in t h e -

,

Ts it ga th e green cou ntry or as s om e pro n ou n ce it Ts in ga

t h e cool pl e as an t l an d prob ably t h e K am
, , , ,

, ,
h ti v all e y ; an d ( 5 )
the
“
firs t : of t h e M arans rul e d th e Gums h u Gumma
”
,

t h e s ug arc an e distri ct a tr a ct o f l an d Still b e ari n g th at

,

n am e in t h e Hkah ku hill s If o ur in de n tific at io n is in

.

any w ay corr e ct it is pl ai n th at w e h e re d eal with c o n di tio ns

,

as th e y e xi s t ed two an d a h alf or thre e c e n turi es ag o We .

c an fe e l fairly s ure th at ju s t abo ut thi s mu s t h ave be e n t h e

colouri n g of t he Kachi n map at th at time .

Wh at w e c an l e arn from our thre e l an dm ark s may no w

b e s umm e d up in a fe w word s For ce n turi es t h e jinghpaw
.

f amilies h ad be e n livin g o n t h e bord e r l and be twe en As s am ,

Chi n a and n orth e rn Burm a Whe nth ey firs t occupi e d th at

.

te rritory i s m e re co nj e cture Th e re th e y live d an d multi

.

pli ed alw ays e age r to bre ak throu gh t h e w all an d occupy

,

n atur ally l e v e l m
“ ”
t h e l an d fur th e r s outh But t h
. o u n t ai n

c ann ot be loc ate d h ere an d we mu st look s till furth er

,

2
 18 TH E KACH ms .

n orth fo r t h e birt h pl ace o f t h e r ace Thi s m us t be s ought

-
.

amo n g t h e hi ghl an d s of M o n goli a an d o n t h e bord e r,

l an d of e as te rn T ibe t an d wes te rn S z c h u an H e re s tood t h e .

cr adl e n o t o nly of t h e K achi ns but al s o of t h e B urm an s an d

,

other M on goli an trib es A t a re mote p eriod t h e B urm ans

.

b e g an to mo ve s outh an d l aid t h e fou nd atio n of mighty

ki ngdoms Later s m all e r tribes like t h e Chins N agas
.
, ,

Lab us and po s s ibly K arens f llo wed I n t h e w ake our K achins ,

holdi n g a ce n tr al pos itio n T h e N ag a tribes followin g

.

t h e Patkoi r an g e s e ttl e d down amo n g th es e high hill s gr ad ,

ually t aki n g po sse s s io n o f more an d more o f t he Y om a .

r an ge wh e re t h e Burm ans we re o n ly p e riodically s tron g .

T h e L ah us an d K are n s k ee pi n g to t h e e as t of t h e S alwe e n ,

see m t o h ave b e e n p e rmitte d to mov e p e ac e fully s outhw ard .

But t h e Jin gh p aws in t h e cen tre aimi n g for more valu abl e
,

acqui s itio n s w e re for a lo n g tim e k e pt b ack by t h e s tro n g

,

S h an rul e rs in Ass am and Y u n n an T h e y we re comp ell e d

.

to live in t h e l an d Of t h e four ri vers un til Oppo rtu n ity

”
“

ag ain pres e n t ed its e lf for t h e n e w ad van c e It is from thi s .

pe riod th at o ur tr aditio ns an d s tori e s m ai nly d ate A s .

t h e Y u nn an S h an s lo s t th e ir grip an d t h e Ahom ki n g s
be cam e we ak t h e K achi ns be g an to move Th ey c arri ed
,
.

wit h the m t h e m e mori es o f th e ir s econ d hom e and through ,

t he m ri n g a fe w f ain t e cho es o f a s till e arli e r d at e a nd hom e .

B ut it is from t h e tim e o f the ir s e co nd advan ce th at we c an

follow th e ir mo ve m e n ts with a c e rtain amou nt of pre cis io n
and a ccur acy .

The na me K achin If w e could te ll with ce rt ai n ty h o w

.

an d wh e n t h e n am e K achi n ori gi n ated th e re would be at ,

l e as t o ne fixed poi n t in th e ir hi s tory But u nfortu nate ly .

this is n o t po ss ibl e We c an b e s ure of thi s o nly th at it is a

.
,

Burmese appe ll atio n no t kn own in e ithe r Ass am o r Chi n a

, ,

but in use in Upp er Burm a e arly in t h e l as t ce ntury T h e .

we ll k n own trave l e r an d mis s io n ary D r K i n c aid in t h e y e ar.

,

”
1 83 7 com e in co n t act with t h e
, K a K hyens arou n d

Mog au n g be i n g u n d e r t h e impres s io n th at th ey are of t h e

,

s am e r ac e as t h e K are ns A S alre ady s t ated all K achin s

”
.
 THE O R IG IN O F TH E KACH INS . 19

c all th e m se l ves Ji n ghp aw but ju s t as t h e T ai race h e

,

c ame kn own as S h an t h e Braginyaw trib es as K are ns

, ,

t h e J in gh p aw s we re c all e d K achi n T h e S h an s an d Pal aun g s

.

c all th e m H kang t h e s ame n am e t h e K achi n s gi ve to t h e

,

Chi n s an Opprobriou s te rm i ndicati ng mixed r ace and

,

p are n t age T h e Chi n es e c all th e m Ye Jein wild me n

.
, ,

which in K achi n be com es Yawy in an d is appli ed to t h e

Lis h aw s .T h e Burm an s mu s t h ave h ad th e ir firs t i n form a
tion re garding t h e advan ci n g K achin s from t h e S h an s
an d Chi n e se In s om e w ay th e y coi n e d t h e t e rm in accord
.

an c e with t h e n am e s e mploy e d by th e m Th e H ka ng of t h e .

S h an an d t h e jein of t h e Chi n es e m ay for s hort h ave b e come

H ka K hyen or K a K hyen which s e e m s to h ave b een t h e
, ,

e arli e s t w ay of pro n ou n ci n g an d S p e lli n g t h e word T hi s .

ag ai n h as b e e n s implifi e d to our Kachin This s ee ms

”
.

to me t h e S impl es t and mos t n atural e xpl an atio n Th e .

m e an i n g propo s ed th at w e h ave in t h e n ame t h e Burm es e

word s for s our an d bitt e r ( 115 ) is po ss ibl e but n o t at all ,

prob abl e If this is t h e e tymology then w e h ave in thi s

.
,

n am e a r ef e re n c e to t h e s av age s t at e o f t h e rud e mou n

t ain e e rs
. A the ory advan ce d by s ome K achi ns is th at
w e h av e in t h e word a combi n atio n o f t h e K achi n an d
Burm es e word s for b as ke t (ha and 65 h hyin) Thu s th ere :
.

would b e a re fe re n c e to t h e f act th at a K achi n is n e ve r s e e n

o n t h e ro ad without c arryi n g a b as k e t T hi s is prob ably as .

good a d e ri vatio n as any oth e r but n o b e tte r My o wn , .

pre fe re n ce is for t h e firs t e xpl an atio n as t h e mo s t n atural ,

an d t h e mo s t lik e ly Th e word Ji n ghp aw which is t h e

.
,

r aci al n am e is s om e time s u s ed in t h e s e n se of m an ( h omo)

, ,

but thi s m e an in g is n o w almo s t lo s t e ve n in t h e an tiqu ate d ,

re ligiou s l an gu age wh ere an oth e r t erm h as b e en in troduced

, .

But thi s is t h e word th at s hould b e u s e d in addres s in g

th e K achi n s T hi s is r e co gn iz ed by all whil e t h e te rm
.
,

K achin like t h e S h an word H kang and t h e Chi ne s e Ye fein

, , ,

is u n kn own by mo s t an d rese n te d by tho se th at h ave gi ve n

,

an y thought to it s m e an i ng .
20 THE KACH IN S .

M igra tions . Guid ed by t h e tr aditio n s re fe rre d to and t h e ,

po s s ibiliti es th e y s u gges t w e will b e able to form an id e a of

,

t h e K achi n co n qu es t of n orth e rn Burm a an d adj ac en t

t e rritory We n ee d go b ack about 2 50 or 300 ye ars to
.

com e in co n t act with t h e comp arative ly s m all group s of

Jinghp aw families as th e y bre ak up from th e ir mou nt ain
home s arou n d t h e gr e at ri ve rs to t h e n orth of t he K amh t i ,

wh e re th e y h ave l i ved s inc e th eir firs t ad van ce from t h e

Th e y mad e t h e mse lve fe lt amo n g t h e
“ ”
Ce n tral Pl ain .

n orth e rn S h an s and to thi s day t h e K amh t i an d A ss am

S h an s s peak K achi n whil e fe w o f t h e s outh e rn S h an s

,

c an bo as t thi s accompli s hm e n t More th an o n ce th e y

.

at tack e d S adiy a duri n g t h e r e ign of t h e l at e r Ahom ki n gs ;

th e y proved u s e ful alli es to t h e Burm an s who at t h e be gi n ,

n i n g of t h e l ate c e n tury e n t e re d A ss am throu gh t h e Patkoi

p as s an d h elped to o ve rthrow t h e Ahom kin gdom Be fore .

th at time d e t achmen ts of th e m h ad be e n in t h e s e rvice

o f t h e A hom ki n gs At othe r tim e s they would be o n
.

u n fri en dly te rm s with t h e S h ans and th ere would be fi erce

r aidin g and fighti n g o n t h e As s am fron tie r But t h e Ji n g .

h p aw s n e ve r g ai ne d a s tro n g foot hold in A s s am and thu s

-
,

th e y turn ed s outh and e as t o ve rru nn i ng t h e K amh t i v all e y

, ,

a nd cro ss i n g t h e Patkoi range pr actic ally e xtermi n ated

,

t h e H uko n g popul atio n O n ly a fe w S h an s r e m ai n th e re

.

to this day all of th e m s ubj ects to t h e K achi ns T hi s

, .

h app en e d prob ably about two hu ndre d y e ars ago H avin g .

obt ai n ed a foot hold t h e con qu e s t of t h e whol e re gio n

-
,

be twee n t h e K amh t i and H uko n g v all e ys as far s outh as to ,

t h e M og au n g ri ve r followe d in du e tim e
,
T h e S h ans .

an d Burm an s w e re dri ve n out and o n ly t h e rui n s of th e ir

,

p agod as t h e tre e s pl an te d arou n d th e ir mo n as t aries an d

, ,

t h e n am es of th e ir vill age s re m ai n e d to t e ll t h e s tory of

fie rce fi ghti n g an d whol e s al e S l au ghte r A fe w we re .

c apture d an d h e ld as S l aves but all th at could fled s outh for

,

protectio n amon g the ir kin s m e n H avi n g ad van ced as .

far s outh as t h e M o gau n g an d K ath a di s tricts th e y e n c o un ,

t e red more organ iz e d re s i s t an c e an d foun d furth e r pro gr ess in

 TH E O R IG IN O F TH E KACH INS . 21

th at dire ctio n impo s s ibl e Th e y co nse qu ently turn e d e as t

.

an d look e d for n e w co n qu es t amo ng t h e hill s o n t h e oth e r

s id e of t h e Irr aw addy Cro s s in g t h e ri ve r n orth of Myit

.

k yin a th e y s oon b e c am e m as te rs of t h e whol e cou n try b e tw e e n

t h e Irr aw addy an d t h e S alwe e n e xc e pt th at th e y w e re ,

u n abl e to hold t h e valle ys rul e d by t h e Chin es e T h e L a .

,

S h an Pal au n g and Chinese hill popul ation re c e d e d furth e r

,
-

an d furth e r s outh an d mo s t of t h e vill age s r e m ai n o n

,

t h e old s it e s of t h e T ai p e opl e T h e rich S h an v all e ys

b e c am
.

e tribut ari e s to t h e mou n t ai n Chi e fs an d h ad it ,

n o t b ee n for t h e Briti s h occup atio n m an y of th e m would

h ave s h are d t h e f ate of t h e H uko n g .

Whe n t h e m ain body of t h e J in gh p aw s l eft th e ir hom e

n orth of t h e K amh t i an d took po sses s io n of t h e cou n try

we s t of t h e Irr awaddy s m all e r d et achm e n ts mo s tly re p re

, ,

s e n t e d by t h e M arus forc e d th e ir w ay s outhw ard b e tw e e n

’

t h e Mali a n d N m ai rI v e rS But th e y we re n e ve r s tron g

.

e n ough to g ai n much h e adw ay s outh of t h e N mai It .

w as o n ly afte r th e ir ki n s m en t h e J in gh p aw s h ad cro s s e d , ,

t h e Irr awaddy and b e com e pow e rful e n ou gh to i n v ad e

t h e re gio n n orth of t h e T aipi n g th at t h e M aru s could
s ee k n e w hom es T h e y pu s h e d down alo n g t h e Chin e s e
.

fron ti e r and m an y of th e m s e ttl e d amo n g t h e J ingh p aws .

T hu s w e fin d M aru v ill age s an d commu n iti e s s c atte re d

all o ve r t h e hill s Whil e of t h e s ame p aren t s tock as
.

t h e J in gh p aw s th e y S how in th e ir s p ee ch a r e m ark abl e

re l atio n s hip to t h e Burm e s e I n cu s toms an d re li gion th e y.

are how e v e r tru e K achi ns with s om e p e culi ariti es o f th e ir

, , ,

o wn . A l arge n umber of the m c ame un de r t h e i nflue n ce of

t h e s tro n g L ahp ai f amily an d by i n t e rm arri age a n e w
cl an gr e w up t h e A ts i T h e s e d e velop ed a ne w di al e ct an d
, .

s om e of th e ir cus toms diffe r s om e wh at from both Ji n ghp aw

an d M aru but i n t h e m
,
ai n th e y are tru e K achi ns T h e ir .

s p e e ch as is n atur al is v e ry Clo s e ly r e l ate d to t h e M aru

, ,
.

T hrough t h e A t s is by i n t e rm a , rri age with t h e Marans ,

and prob ably Chi n es e c am e t h e Las his t h e you nges t of

, ,

t h e di s tin ct divi s io n s u n l ess t h e S as an s b e so re g ard ed

, ,
22 THE KACH INS .

which as alre ady i ndic ated s e e m s u nn e ce s s ary T h e

, , .

Las hi s hows in h is di al e ct h is Maru p are nt age but in ,

ce rt ai n oth e r re s p e cts gi ve s e vid e n ce of t h e more mod e rn

co nditio ns u nd e r which h e h as grown up T hu s t h e M aru .
,

Ats i an d Las hi are practic ally t h e s ame p e opl e and the ir ,

di al e cts are o n ly modific atio ns of t h e s ame l an gu age A s it .

is o n ly by t h e h e lp of th e ir s tro n g e r ki ns m e n th at th e y h av e
b ee n abl e to s e cure t e rritory th e y h ave alw ays s o to s pe ak
, , ,

b e e n k e pt to t h e b ackwood s an d are thu s l e s s civilized and

,

if po ss ibl e more s up e rs titiou s th an t h e re gul ar Jin gh p aw s .

R ela tion between M aru a nd Bu rmes e While t h e Maru s

.
,

or as th e y c all th ems e lves t h e L awn g Waw be lon g to t h e

, ,

Ji n ghp aw family t h e m arke d s imil arity be twe en t h e Maru

,

di al e ct s (i n cludi n g Ats i an d L as hi) to t h e Burm es e i ndic ate s

an i n t e re s ti n g co n ditio n in e arly hi s tory It is qu es tio n abl e
.
,

howeve r if th eir di al ects t ake n as a whol e s t an d any n e are r

,

Burm e s e th an do e s Ji nghp aw O ne fourth of t h e roots

.

are id e n tic al in Ji n ghp aw an d Burm e s e ; gr amm ar an d

cons tructio n s are pr actic ally t h e s am e It is doubtful if .

more th an thi s c an b e s aid of t h e Maru group S till t h e .

f act th at quite a n umbe r of th e ir word s re t ai n t h e Burm an

ri n g wh e re Ji nghp aw h as adopt e d n e w t e rm s or ch an ge d
,

t h e old s o as to b e almo s t u n re cog n iz abl e i n dic at es a C lo s e r

,

rel atio n s hip in t h e di s t an t p as t b e twe e n t h e Maru s an d

Burm an s th an b e twe e n t h e J in gh p aw s and Burm ans T h e .

e arli e s t hom e of all t h e trib es of Burm a w as n o doubt

t h e s am e Th e Burm ans w e r e t h e firs t to pu s h s outh

. .

T h e y w e r e prob ably followe d by t h e L abu s an d t h e

K aren s Ce n turi e s l at e r th e y we re followed by Chins
.
,

N agas J in gh p aw s an d Maru s
, T h e Chi ns an d J in gh p aw s
.

k e pt to t h e we s t of t h e Irrawaddy whil e t h e Maru s c am e

,

down o n t h e e as t s id e wh e re th ey c ame in co nt act with

,

s uch Burm e se s e ttl e m e n t s as h ad b e e n abl e to m ai n t ai n

th e m s e l ves n orth of t h e N mai But t h e more aggr es s i ve

.

a n d n um e rou s Burm an s s oo n l e ft th e ir w e ak e r bre thre n an d

pu s h ed o n to more promi s i n g fi e ld s T h e n in t h e cours e of

.

time n orthe rn Burm a c am e u n d e r S h an i nflue nce T h e .

 TH E O R IG IN O F TH E KACH INS . 23

S h an ki ngs of T ali an d ss am A
ke pt t h e Maru s an d Ji n g
h p aw s in t h e t erritory alre ady i n dic at ed Th e J in gh p aw s .

to t h e we s t we re more in touch with t h e outs ide world th an

t h e n o w i s ol at e d M aru s Whil e t h e l atte r re t ain e d s om e
.

e arly ch ar acte ri s tic s of S p e e ch th e y ran e as ily i n to bro gu es

,

amo n g th e ir lo n e ly hill s an d v all e y s T h e J in gh p aws in

.

touch with t h e l arge r life modifie d the ir s pe e ch but ,

m ai n tai n e d t h e u n ity of th e ir di al e ct T hu s wh en t h e .

da y c am e for a n e w ad van ce s outh t h e J in gh p aw s h ad ,

t h e ad v an t age of t h e l arge r an d more libe ral tr ai n i n g ,

an d b e i n g u n it e d by a commo n di al e ct w er e in a po s itio n ,

wh e re th e y could ac t with u n ity of purpos e .

Territoria l D ivis ions If our s tory of t h e K achi n s as w e

.
,

h ave outli ne d it in t h e fore goin g p ages is an ywh e re n e arly ,

correct it t ake s o n an his toric al c h arac t er(fro m t h e day

,

th ey be g an th e ir s econ d ad v an ce l e avi n g th e ir hom e s at

,

t h e h e ad wat e rs of t h e Irr aw addy forci n g th e ir w ay i n to

-
,

Ass am Burm a and Yunn an Wh at move ments the re we re

, .

be fore th at tim e from a re gio n s till furth e r n orth w e c an

o nly co nj e ctura T h e te rritori al di s tributio n of t h e famili e s
tod ay i n dic ate s t h e pos itio n th ey h e ld two or thre e ce n turi e s
a go . But ch an ge s we re con s t antly t aki n g pl ace duri n g t h e
time t h e K achin s we re i nd ep en d en t and at lib e rty to acquire
n e w t e rritory by co n qu e s t A S w e t ak e a gl an c e at t h e
.

K achin map of tod ay w e find in t h e far n orth e as t t h e -

N ungs (H k a N u n gs as th e y are c all e d by t h e S h an s )

,
T he y .

are a d e ge n e r ate br an ch of a o n c e s tro n g an d i n t e llige n t

trib e M an y of th e m are s l aves to t h e K amh t i S h ans

. ,

an d th e ir g e n e r al app e ar an c e is low cri n gi n g an d s av age

, .

T o t h e w es t of th e m w e h av e t h e S in gh p o s of As s am .

T h ey are in all ess e n ti al s o n e with th e ir ki n s m e n furth e r

n orth an d s outh but l ackin g in s om e of th e ir s tro n ge r
,

qu aliti e s T h e y e xhibit both in s p e e eh and cu s tom s a s tron g

.

S h an i n flu e n c e an d a fe w o f th e m h ave acc e pt e d a form

,

of Buddhi s m whil e s till re t ai n in g m any of th e ir o wn

r eli giou s practices S till mov in g s outh w e m e et t h e H k ah k us
.

alo n g t h e we s t b an k of t h e Irr aw addy T h e H uko n g .

24 TH E KACH INS .

K a chi ns of which t h e S i s ans h ave d ep arte d mos t wide ly

,

from t h e p are n t s tock are clos e ly re l ate d to th e m S outh

, .

o f th es e w e com e in c o n t act wi t h t h e m ai n body o f t h e r ac e

in t h e Myitkyi n a Bh amo Mo gaun g an d K ath a di s tricts

, , .

I n t h e S outh e rn S h an S t ates the y hold t h e hill s an d go o dly

n umb e rs are fou n d in t h e R uby M i n es di s trict .

A S it ofte n h app e n s th at t h e co n qu e rors are i n te ll e ctu ally

co n que re d by th e ir s ubj e cts s o to a c e rtain e xte nt it h as
,

h appe ne d he re Th e K achin s th at re m ai n e d o n t h e wes t

.

s id e of t h e Irr aw addy d e v e lop e d loc ali s m s in th e ir s p e ech ,

an d m an y of th e m as in t h e H uko n g an d K amh t i v all e ys

, ,

b e c am e s t ro n ge ly i nflu en c e d by t h e S h an s as to cu s tom s
an d re li gio n. In m an y vil l ag e s are fou n d Buddhi s t S hri n es ,

an d t h e old re m ai n s of p agod as an d m o n as t ari es are k e pt

s acre d for fear of t h e S pirits h avi n g th e ir abod e in th e m .

Even th e ir o w n n at wors hip h as be en modifie d u n d e r t h e

in flue nce o f Buddhis t t e achi n g T hi s is e s p e ci ally tru e
.

o f t h e Ass a m K achi n s and tho se o f t h e H uko n g Th e more .

i s ol at ed commu n iti es in t h e H ill s al s o d e ve lope d s om e s pe ci al

Ch aracte ri s tics an d p e culi ariti e s in di ale ct T ho s e alon g t h e
.

wes t b an k of t h e Irra waddy in tim e b e c ame kn o wn as

u p ri ve r p eo pl e
“ ”
t h e H k ahku p e opl e th at is t h e
,
-
T h e ir .

di al e ct diffe rs s om e wh at from ordi n ary K achi n (Ji nghp aw) , ,

but th ey are true K achins an d adh e re s trictly t o t h e auces

tral cu s toms and traditio n s A s tim e p ass e d o n a gre at
.

n umb e r of s e ctio n al n am es gr e w up but t h e ori gi n al f amily

,

n am e s an d t h e id e n tity of t h e ruli n g f amili es h ave alw ay s

be e n m ai n ta in ed O n t h e e as t of t h e Irr awaddy t h e Ji n g
.

hp aw di al e ct h as re m ai ne d re m ark ably pure and t h e old ,

cus tom s and traditio n s h ave b e e n e ve rywh e re followed .

It is o n ly of l ate years th at S h an i nflu en ce h as b ee n fe lt

in t h e n orth e rn S h an S t ate s and in C hi n es e t e rritory .

T h e d e m arc atio n o f t h e s e ctio ns occupi e d by t h e fi ve

rulin g f am ili e s is di ffi cult as th e y are repres ented in all
,

p arts o f t h e cou n try It is howe ve r of importan ce o nly as

.
, ,

it h e lps us to follow the ir e arly li ne of ad van ce I n tho se .

d ays t h e chiefs o f t h e s ame family would ac t toge the r in

 TH E O R IG IN O F TH E KAC H INS . 25

offe ns i ve and d e fe ns ive warf are but in tim e th e y s e p arate d,

an d e s t abli s h ed th e m se l ves wh e re ve r t h e r e w as an o
pp o r
t un it y. But s c atte re d as th e y are it is po ss ibl e to s ome ,

e xte n t to outli n e th e ir e arly co n qu e s t s an d se ttl e m e n ts .

T h at t h e pres e n t s itu atio n do es n o t in all p articul ars c o n

form to t h e tr aditio n al di vi s ions of t h e l an d th at we h ave
alre ady co n s id e re d is u s t wh at w e would e xp e ct
j , .

T h e M drips are fou n d mo s tly o n t h e wes t of t h e Irr aw addy .

Th e ir t erritory is bro adly s p e aki ng t h e H uko ng v all e y

, , ,

t h e di s trict arou n d t h e j ad e mi n e s an d p art s o f t h e H k ahku

,

hill s T h eir firs t co n qu e s t is app are n tly t h e H ukon g

. .

Sc att e re d famili es are tod ay fou n d in t h e whol e o f t h e

Kachin l and T his may be tru e of any family th at w e may
.

m en tion .

T h e L ah taws h ave se ve r al v ill ag es in t h e H uko n g T h ey .

are s tro n g o n both S id e s of t h e Irr awaddy n orth of t h e

con flu e nce T h e y are we ll re pre s ent e d in t h e Myitkyi na

.

dis trict an d are n ume rou s in s om e p arts of Bh amo and

,

N orth H s e n wi C ircl es T h e y are mor e wi d ely s c att e re d th an

.

t h e Marip s an d are n e xt to t h e L ah p ais t h e mo s t n um e rou s .

T h e L ahpa i f amily is by far t h e l arge s t an d s tro n ge s t

of th e m all T h e y are fou n d in t h e Mo gau n g dis trict and to
.

t h e e as t of Myitkyi n a All t h e A t s is alon g t h e whol e

.

Chi n e se fro n tie r from S adon to K utk ai an d L as hio are rul e d

,

by Lahp ai C hi efs T h e G auri vill ages e as t of Bh amo are

.

h e ld by th e m whil e afte r a S hort bre ak fill e d in with t h e

,

Mar an s w e m e e t th e m agai n in t h e H p un ggan an d G ara

,

hill s S m all e r group s are e n cou nte re d in t h e S outh ern S h an

.

S t at es an d almo s t an ywh e re amo n g t h e hill s .

T h e N h ku ms are s c atte re d all alo n g t h e Chi n e s e fro n ti e r .

The y are prob ably t h e we ake s t of t h e five ruli n g famili es .

T h e y h av e a n umb e r of v ill ag es in t h e M o gau n g di s trict ,

s om e e as t of Bh amo an d are f airly n um e rou s in N orth

,

H s e nwi p art ic ularily i n t h e Mo n g Baw circl e

, T h e ir .

e arli es t hom e s ee m s to h av e b e en w e s t of t h e Irr aw addy

aroun d t h e K amh t i v all e y .

26 TH E KACH INS .

Th e M arans like t h e A h k ums are ve ry much s c att e red

, , .

Th e y are fou n d arou n d S in bo M og au n g and K ath a S outh

, .

e as t o f Bh amo t h e s an a an d L aik a group s h ave M i ran

chief s an d t h e L aik as agai n app e ar alo n g t h e S alwe en in t h e

,

N orth e rn S h an S t at es
. I n t h e Mo n g Myit Circl e an d down
w ards t h e R uby Mi ne s th ey are al s o fou nd T hey.

in s om e res p e ct s t h e mo s t re fi ne d and i n te llig e n t o f

t h e K achi n s e xc ept s om e of t h e l e adi n g f amili e s in
,

H uko n g v all e y.
 CH APT ER II .

T H E KACH I N DIAL E CT S .

D i al ects b e ginn in g with localis m s and provin ci alis m s

grow up e as ily in s avage an d primitive co nditio ns A ll .

th at is n eed e d is to co n fi ne a group of f amilie s withi n

an e n viro n m e n t wh e r e co n t act with t h e out s id e world is

s m all or n o n e at all an d withi n a fe w ge n e r atio n s w e

,

h ave a n ew di al e ct In As i a as we ll as in oth e r p arts of t h e

.

world illite r ate and b ackw ard di s tricts S how p e culi ariti e s of
,

S p ee ch in n e arl y e v e ry v ill ag e an d commu n ity It is t h e .

written p age t h e commo n s chool and t h e d aily pres s

,

th at gradu ally e limi n ate loc ali s m s an d di al e ctic al diffe re n ces .

S till w e k n ow with wh at t e n acity loc al di al e ct s m ai n t ai n

th e m se l ves e ve n amid s t mode rn co n dition s Withi n t h e .

Briti s h Is l e s w e h ave Iri s h an d Wel s h an d u n til quit e ,

re ce n tly Corn i s h whil e in G e rm an y w e S p eak of H i gh

,

an d L ow G e rm an n o t to m e n tio n t h e gr e at n umb e r of
,

pro vin ci ali s ms s om e of th e m of m arke d p e culi aritie s

, .

Amon g t h e K achin s t h e s ame te nden cies h ave be e n at work

with t h e u s u al re s ults But t h e f ac t th at w e h ave diffe re n t
.

di al ects to d e al with do es n o t work t h e s am e h ards hips

,

with t h e K achi n s tud e n t as amon g t h e K are n s or Chi ns

, ,

wh e re ofte n vill age s quite clo s e to e ach oth e r do n o t

u nd ers t an d e ach oth e rs di al e ct an d h ave n o m e ans of
’

i n te r commun ic atio n Amon g t h e K achi n s t h e l e adi n g di a

-
.

l e ct Jin ghp aw is u n d e rs tood by n e arly all from t h e bord e rs

, ,

o f T ib e t to t h e e xtr e m e s outh It is on ly s om e of t h e
.

Maru s an d A t s is th at e ith e r do n o t s p e ak Ji n ghp aw at all

, ,

or kn ow it ve ry impe rfe ctly K achi ns are as a rul e good.

lin gui s t s an d m an y of th e m s p e ak fi v e or s ix di al e cts flu e n tly .

D ia lec ts T h e K achin di al e cts worthy of S p eci al atte ntion

.

are, t h e jinghpaw M aru A ts i L ds h i an d N u ng

, , , S uch .

loc ali s m s as H kahku Gauri and S ds a n re pre s e n t o nly

, ,
 28 TH E KACH I NS .

s pe ci al con dition s an d n eed n o t b e c al l ed diffe re n t form s

,

o f s p e e ch T h es e fi v e di al e cts an d if w e s o wi s h th e ir
.
, ,

loc ali s ms compri se with t h e Burm an N aga an d Chi n group

, , ,

t h e Burm an f amily of t h e T uran i an o r Polyto n ic cl as s of

jlan guage s I n th e ir e arlie s t form

. th e y we re s trictly
mo n o s yll abic and polyton ic Mo s t of th e m are n o w in .

th e ir aggluti n ative s t ate and in t h e proce ss of d e ve lopme n t

,

S how a t e n d e n cy to di s p e n s e with t h e to n es I n Ji n ghp a w .

about o n e fourth of t h e v oc abul ary is s till mo n o s yll abic t h e ,

res t is m ai nly di s s yll abic .

G rammar T h e gramm ar of all t h e K achin di al e cts

.

a gr e e s in t h e m ai n with t h e Burm es e an d th at of the

Burm e s e family At l e as t o n e fou rth of t h e roots are
.
-

id en tic al Co n s truction s an d idiom s are practically t h e

.

s am e . N o w th at t h e Ji n ghp aw h as t ak e n o n a lite r ary form ,

it will like Burm es e di s p e ns e with t h e to n e s more an d more .

T h e i n s t an c e s wh e re t h e to n es are n o w of import an c e will be

ob vi ated in v ariou s w ays and t h e m e an i n g will be m ad e
,

cl e ar by t h e u s e of n e w combin atio ns of word s r athe r th an

by i nfl e ction s D e cl e n s ion an d co nju gatio n s are in Ji n ghp aw
.

e xpr es se d by an e l a bor at e s y s t e m of n ou n an d ve rb al p arti

cl es T h e re are s till trac es in Burm e s e of a s imil ar s ys te m

. .

S om e of t h e K achin group s lik e t h e G auri h ave a t e n d e n cy

, ,

to drop s om e of t h e ve rb al p articl es an d as t h e Jin ghp aw ,

" d e v e lop s t h e g e n e r al tre n d will b e to di s p e n se with mo s t

o f th es e r a th e r troubl e s om e adju n ct s We h ave already .

m e ntio ne d t h e m ark e d s imil arity b etwe e n M aru Ats i , ,

Las hi an d Burm ese T hi s e xte nds both to gramm ar an d

.

vocabul ary I am convince d howe ve r th at wh en w e go

.
, ,

far e n ou gh b ack w e will fi n d t h e J in gh p aw as clo s e ly re l at e d

to t h e l e adin g l an gu age of Burm a as is t h e M aru group .

S o far o n ly t h e s urf ac e s imil arity h as h ad an y att en tio n .

We mu s t go d ee p e r b e fore w e c an gi ve t h e fi n al v e rdict .

O u ts ide I nfl uen ces W e would n aturally e xpe ct th at s uch

.

hi ghly d e ve lop ed l angu age s as Chi ne s e Burmes e and S h an , ,

would h ave co n tributed l arge ly to t h e K achi n v oc abul ary .

But s uch is n o t t h e c as e T h e Ji nghp aw di al e ct is re m ark

.
 TH E KACH IN D IALECTS . 29

a b ly pure an d h as a voc abul ary of at l e as t fiftee n thous an d

,

word s which is quit e s u ffi cien t for all ordi n ary re quire m e nts
,
.

Ve ry fe w Chin ese t e rm s h ave bee n i ncorporate d althou gh t h e ,

Kachi n s for c e n turi e s h ave b ee n in clo s e con t act with the ir

powe rful an d i n te lligen t n ei ghbours It is almo s t e xclu s ive l y .

t h e G a uri s th at h ave borrowed a fe w word s an d in th e ir ,

p ro n u n ci atio n es pe ci ally in t h e gut t erals be tray a Chin ese

, ,

i nflu e nce T h e Burm an s h ave n e ve r e xe rte d any m arke d

.

l e ad e rs hip in any dire ctio n an d ne ve r c am e in fri en dly

,

co n t act with t h e K achi n s T h ey rul e d t h e hills o n l y

.

n omi n al ly and t h e re w as little i n t e rcours e b e twee n wh at

,
f

w as u s u ally t w o ho s til e c amp s Ve ry fe w word s h ave .

fou nd the ir way from B urm es e i nto K achi n S in ce K achi n .

s chool s h av e b e e n op e n e d an d Burm e s e te xt book s are

,
-

u se d a fe w re li giou s t erm s h ave g aine d admittan ce from

,

this s ource but it h as b e e n fou n d th at in mo s t c ases

,

the se c an be re pl aced by p ure K achi n word s

’

howe ve r co n tribute d more both to voc abul ary

,

of thin ki ng th an e ith er Chines e o r

at t h e dictio n ary will at o n c e re v eal

t h e K achi n s to t h e S h an s A l arge .

number of word s e xpres s io n s and idiom s in co n s t an t

,

u se are t ak e n from t h e S h an T h e y h ave through lo n g

.

u s age be e n in gr afte d i n to and b ecom e a p art of t h e K achin

s tock . It is al s o n otice abl e th at whil e ve ry fe w K achi ns
( ap art from thos e th at h ave atte n d e d s chool) s p e ak t h e ,

Burm es e with an y d e gre e of flue n cy mo s t K achin men ,

o f t h e N orth e rn S h an S t at es an d al s o in oth e r p arts of

K achin l an d s p eak S h an with e as e T hi s is n o t b ec aus e

-
.

S h an is e as i e r th an Burm e s e or b e c au se t h e two di al e ct s
are p articul arly re l at e d Burm es e is philologic ally n e are r
.

K achi n th an S h an an d t h e tones pre s ent difli c ult ie s to

t h e K achi n e ar But all t h e hill tribe s h ave h ad more to
.
-

do with t h e S h an s th an with t h e Burm an s an d it furn i s h e s ,

an oth e r illu s tratio n of how a co n qu e re d p e opl e with a

hi gh e r form o f ci vil iz atio n will in tim e p ut it s m ark o n

t h e co n qu e rors .
30 T HE KACH INS .

Jinghp aw the leading dia lec t . Amon g

di al ects th e K achin
t h e Ji n ghp aw is in e ve ry p articul ar t h e l ea din g form o f
s p e e ch A t s is L as hi s an d M aru s as a rul e s p ea k Ji nghp aw
.
,

flu e n tly b e i n g troubl e d o n ly in t h e pro n un ci ation of c e rt ai n

,

word s T h e A t s is for e x ampl e c o nn o t give t h e r s ou n d

.

but s often it down to y But th es e p e culi ariti es are of s m all

.

import an ce T h e f act th at th ere is o ne l e adi ng di al e ct

.

all o ve r K achin l an d is an imm en s e ad v an tage to all

-
The .

Jin ghp aw ha s for about twen ty years bee n reduce d to

writing an d h as t h e b egi n nin g o f a liter ature It is n o t .

likely th at an y o f t h e oth e r di al e cts will b e thu s hon ore d ,

an d from an e duc atio n al poi n t o f vi e w it I s n o t d e s ir abl e

o r n e c e s s ary I n tim e all will l e arn to re ad an d write

.

Jinghp aw an d t h e l e s s import an t di al e cts will be re l eg ate d

,

to obscuri t y and be e ve ntu ally forgotte n .

Th e M dru group T h e Maru an d it s d aughters A ts i

.
,

an d L as hi h av e n o t s pru n g dire ctly from t h e Ji n ghp aw but

, ,

com e from t h e s am e s ource T h e Maru may b e S poke n .

by about or an d t h e A t s i by a fe w thou san d s

more whil e t h e L as hi re pre s en ts a n umbe r s m all er th an t h e

,

Marus But o ur i nform ation is ve ry u n cert ai n as to

.
,

th es e p articul ars We h ave alre ady advan ce d t h e th e ory

.

th at t h e reas on Ji nghp aw h as d e p art ed at l e as t in app e ar ,

an c e
, more wid e ly from t h e origi nal th an t h e Maru is ,

b e c au s e of its clo s e r co nt act with t h e outward world T h e .

M aru s an d ki n dr e d s are low er in t h e s c al e o f civ iliz ation ,

b e c au se o f th e ir more i s ol ate d life S till in s ayin g thi s .

,

w e wi s h ag ai n to r e mi n d t h e s tud e n t th at w e are m e re ly
s p ea ki n g from outw ard app e ar an ce s If e ve r an e xh au s ti ve
.

s tudy is m ad e of th ese di al e ct s w e will prob ably b e call e d

upo n to re vers e s om e of our Opin io ns re gardi ng th e m From .

s uch s tudi es as I h ave b e e n abl e to m ak e I am quite ,

con v in ce d th at th e se di al e cts are n o t any more close ly

rel ate d to Burm es e th an is Ji nghp aw .

Vocabula ry Th e
“
m e agre v oc abul ary of K achin h as
.
”

often b ee n a s ubj e ct o f re m ark But t h e f act is th at t h e .

m eagre n ess h as be e n with o ur knowl edg e r ath e r th an with

 TH E KACH IN D IALECTS . 31

the voc abul ary A s alre ady s t ate d t h e l an gu age ce rt ai n ly

.

h as fiftee n thou san d word s and fe w me n m ak e u s e of s uch

,

a word li s t in E ngli s h
-
Man y of thes e word s are ob s ol e t e
.
,

o r n e arly s o for e ve ry day us e and h ave be e n re l e g ated

,

to t h e religious formul as kn own o n ly to t h e old men ,

t h e pri es ts an d t h e profess io n al s tory te ll ers But th e y -

.

are s till re cogn iz e d as a p art of t h e l an gu ag e an d will ,

ag ai n b e fou n d u se ful as t h e lit e rary work ad v an c e s an d

n e w id e as d e m an d n e w t e rm s We m ay find it h ard to
.

e xpl ai n h o w an il lite r at e mou n t ai n p e opl e could h ave

ret ai ned s o l arge a v ocabul ary but w e h ave oth e r i ns t ance s
,

to S how th at b ackward r aces h ave h ad a much l arg e r

s upply of both word s and id eas th an h as g e n e r ally b e e n

s uppo se d .

R ela tions to o ther groups S om e of t h e philologic al qu es

.

tions r ai se d by t h e s tudy o f thes e di al e cts are d ecid edly

in teres ti n g T h e re l atio n be twe e n t h e K achi n and N ag a
.

di al e cts i ndicates a clo se affi n ity and t h e sam e hold s tru e o f

,

Kachin an d t h e Chin group T h e di al ect o f t h e Lak ai

.

Chins to t h e n orth wes t o f t h e H ukon g v all e y may be

re g ard e d as a bran ch o f K achin but the y c all th e m se lve s
,

Chins (H k ang) T h e furth e r s outh w e go amo ng t h e Chi n

, .

tribes t h e more m arked be com e t h e di al e ctic al diffe ren ce s ,

but S I mil arit y o f both vocabul ary and gr amm ar n o t t o ,

m e n tion cu s tom s and re ligion prove b eyo n d a doubt th e ir

,

clos e rel atio ns hip T hey n o doubt c am e from t h e s am e

.

n orth e rn re gio n s Th e K achi n s and K are n s h ave alw ays

.

cl aime d re l atio ns hip and s ome of t h e K are n tradition s

,

cl early pro ve th at o n the ir w ay s outh th ey b e c am e f amili ar

with t h e cou ntry arou n d Bh amo T h eir cu s toms traditio n s
.
,

an d r eli giou s c e re mo n i e s are to a l arg e e xte n t id e n tic al .

But in l an gu age t h e K ar en b e lo n gs to t h e Chin e s e rath e r

th an t h e Burm an s id e of t h e family Man y o f t h e roots are .

t h e s am e but to ne s an d gr amm atic al co n s tructio n s comp e l

,

u s to cl ass ify K are n with S h an an d Chi n e s e A compre .

h en s ive s tudy o f t h e S ixty or more diffe ren t di al e ct s o f

Y u n n an an d t h e l arge n umb e r in t h e S outh e rn S h an
32 TH E KACH INS .

S tat es an d K aren la
d h as n o t bee n u n d e rt ak en Valu abl e
-
n .

voc abul ari e s are fou n d es p e ci ally in t h e Uppe r Burni a

G aze ttee r but much re m ai ns to be don e b efore we are
,

abl e to ass ign each di al ect t o it s p r ope r grou p f am ily ,

Th e S ource clos e re l atio ns hip be twee n t h e K achin

. Th e
an d Burm an group o f di al ects s ug g es ts a commo n s ource
,

an d origin T h e K achin di al ect s h ave howe ver n o t gro w

. n,

o u t o f Burm ese T h e qu es t i on I s wh e re to look fo r t h e

'
'

.
_

origi n al mdt h er ton gu e

‘
-
is n o t t h e d aughte r o f
.

e ith e r Ti b e t an o r t h e s i s ter o f both The .

famili e s o f l an gu ages by t h e n am es Chines e , ,

Tibe t an an d Burm ese are t h e d es cend an t s o f s om e Mon go

li an moth e r S pee ch prob ably lo n g agnburi ed and forgott en
-
, .

We c an o n ly hop e th at as w e l e arn more o f t h e civiliz ation

th at o nc e e xi ste d in Mon goli a and adj acent countri es s o me
voice from th e p as t will he lp u s to a sati sf actory s olution
o f thi s ob s cur e probl e m I n n ami n g t h e cl ass of l an gu age
.

to which Burm es e an d K achin be lon g I s till pre fe r t h e

n am e T ur an i an T h e n am e Polyto n ic f
. c ann O t be r e fe rr e d to

all t h e group s an d di al e cts i n v olve d as s o m e of th e m h av e

”
lon g ago c e as e d to b e to n al Tur an i an or Mon goli an .

are n am es in which thi s l arg e f amily o f l an gu ag es c an

.

b e i n clud ed I v en ture to pre sen t a li s t o f t h e l e adin g

.

families and groups e ve n though I am fully aw are th at

,

it is far from e xh au s tive .

 A G rou p of M a ru Vi ll age r s .

A grou p of M a ru ll a ge r s
Vi . P . 32
 THE KAC H IN D IALECTS .

In Wes tern Yunn an are

su ppo d se to b e ound f over
i ty di al e c ts
s x .

di al ec s t .

N orthern an d S o uth ern Shan

have many d f
if erenc es .

K aren

M o sho Some of th o s e dia

Wa l ec ts sh o w a c l o s e
La re l ationship t o Bur
Hk un m es e o the rs to
A k
,

n a Shan .

k e

Th e S as an o r H auri n e ed k
K ac h in Atsi
n o t b e re garded as di f eren t
'
f
L ashi
,
d
i al e c ts ; th ey are p rac t i
, c all y J in gh p aw .
 CHAPT ER III .

CO UNTRY ,
VILLAGE AN D H O M E .

Th e c tr al home o f t h e K ach ins w as accordin g t o

an e s ,

tr aditio n a high t abl e l an d far t o t h e n ort h T h e ir prese n t

,
- .

te rritory is a wild moun t ai n coun try in te rse cte d by n arrow

vall eys and d ee p gorges through which fl o w n um erou s
,

mountain s tre am s T h e se are all tributari es to t h e gre at

.

ri ve rs t h e Irraw addy an d t h e S alween T h e ranges run

,
.

mos tly n orth an d s outh Th e y ri se all th e w ay from o ne

.

thou s and to se ve n o r e i ght thou s an d fee t above se a l e vel -

but t h e average altitud e is b e twee n four and five t hou san d .

Pe ak s abo ve e ight thou s an d fee t are fe w an d o n ly o ne ,

o r t w o att ain t h e h e ight o f t e n or twe lv e thou s an d S m all .

valle ys th at in form e r ages were t h e b ed s o f mountai n

,

l ak es are quite n umerou s but e xte ns ive pl ai ns are foun d

, ,

o nly in t h e Irr awaddy b as in an d along its m ai n tribut ari es .

O f these t h e Tdnai hka (t h e Chin dwi n) dr ai n s t h e H uko n g

,

valle y t h e l arges t lo w l an d s ettl e m en t amon g t h e K achin s

,
-
.

T h e M og au ng ri ve r flows p artly through K achi n l and ,

but it s b ank s and pl ai n s are i nh abite d mo s tly by S h ans

and Burm an s T h e T aipi n g go es through t h e G auri hill s
.
,

e mptyi n g i n to lowl an d s occupi e d by S h an s Burm an s an d a ,

fe w Chin es e Alon g t h e romantic S alween K achins hold

.

t h e w es t b an k for a co n s id e rabl e s tr e tch O n t h e e as t .

b an k diffe re n t kin d s o f S h ans and Pal au n gs li ve amo n g

t h e hi gh rug ge d hill s T h e pictures qu e an d m agn ific e n t
.

ri ve r with it s s upe rb and in m any pl aces u ns urp asse d

s c e n e ry dr ai ns a comp ar ati v e ly n arrow s trip o f te rritory ,

prob ably n owh e re e xcee ding o n e hu ndre d an d fifty mil es in

width T hi s b arri e r is t h e n atur al bou nd ary to t h e e as t
.
,

a nd t h e di f fi culty of fordi n g t h e ri ve r e ve n duri n g t h e

dry se as o n prob ably h ad a gre at d e al to do wi th t h e fact
36 THE KAC H INS .

th at fe w K achins g ai ned
foot hold o n it s eas te rn b ank
a -
.

Th e gre at rive rs are fe d by hu n dred s o f s m all e r s tream s ,

m an y of which es p eci ally durin g t h e r ains be come wild

, ,

mountain torren ts mo s t d an gerou s to ford B e autiful s c e ne ry .

is foun d e ve rywh e re A few o f t h e waterfalls c an s t an d

.

comp ari s on with s ome o f wid e r re put atio n O f th es e w e .

c an m e n tio n o nly t h e N amhp a f all n e ar S in lum eas t o f ,

Bh amo ; t h e G umlau fall n orth e as t o f S im a and t h e -

,

Npa f all h alf w ay be t wee n Bh amo an d S h w ego .

Fauna . Th e an im al life of t h e mou n t ai ns in t h e whol e

o f n orth e rn Burm a is with o n ly a fe w v ari atio n s t h e s am e

as th at o f t h e pl ai n s El eph an ts an d rhin oc e ros are n o t

.

n o w fou n d above t h e foot hill s but traditio n cl aims th at

-
,

both th ese p achyd e rm s we re o n ce commo n at high e r

e l e v atio ns, an d s om e afli rm th at th e y are s till to b e see n

in s om e o f t h e d e n se ju n gl es alo n g t h e S alwee n H e rd s .

o f e l e ph an t s are s till fou n d i n t h e H uko n g and m an y of

t h e chi e fs in t h e vall e y are in po ssess io n o f v alu abl e rh inoc

e ro s horn tes tifyi n g to t h e e xi s te n ce o f t h e an im al in
’

th at vici n ity Th e tige r an d t h e l e op ard with m any s m all e r

.
,

s pe ci es of t h e Felidw are di s tr e ss in gly abun d an t

, an d in ,

m an y loc aliti es o n t h e i n cre as e as t h e i n h abit an ts h ave bee n

,

practic ally dis arm ed Wild dogs hun t in p ack s but se ldom
.
,

troubl e t h e vill ages S m all e r ki n d s of c arn iv ora m ak e

.

t h e k ee pin g o f fowl s an d pig s an an xiou s probl e m Bis o n is .

n o w an d th en see n in t h e hill s but is ge nerally co nfin ed

,

to t h e lo w l and s Wild hogs d ee r and mo n ke ys give

-
.
,

t h e culti vators a live ly tim e be i n g with difli c u lt y k e pt

,

o u t o f t h e fi e ld s S quirre l s b adge rs porcupi nes we ase l s

.
, , , ,

rabbits an d n ume rou s S p ecie s o f rats pre sen t a v ari e ty

fo r t h e curry po t Th e p angoli n or ant e ate r is n o t
.
-

unkn own O tte r is fou n d in almos t any s tre am Be ars

. .

are in s om e l o ca liti es as much fe are d as tig e rs an d see m

t o be more ofte n in e vid e n c e B ats are n um e rou s es pe ci ally

.
,

in s om e o f t h e caves which abo un d in t h e hill s id es .

O f s m all bird s t h e hill s prese n t a gre ate r v ari e ty th an

t h e pl ai n s an d all furn is h m e at for t h e tabl e
, D urin g t h e .
 N
CO U T RY V ILLAGE AND HO ME
, . 37

co ol seas o n n e arly e ve ry K achin c arri es h is b o w and

cl ay pe lle ts for t h e s hootin g o f s m all bird s but t h e de
-
,

s tructio n is n o t gr e at Ph eas ants p e ac o ck ju n gl e fowl

.
, ,
-
,

pigeo ns qu ail ducks an d gee se t e mpt t h e more ambitiou s

, ,

hun te r but our K achin is n o t a s uccess for thi s kin d o f

,

g am e Bird s o f pre y are a co n s t an t m e n ace to t h e poul t ry

.
,

an d n ec e s s it at e e t e rn al vi gi l an ce H awks o f all ki n d s .

are co ns t an tly about an d n o w an d th e n an e agl e will c arry

,

of f a s m all pig T h e cuckoo an d t h e l ark re mi nd t h e

.

Europ ean o f hom e T h e cuckoo s ings from t h e mid dl e

.

o f M arch to t h e e n d o f M ay Th e s o n g o f t h e l ark in
.

t h e N orth e rn S h ari S t at es is as cl e ar and s wee t as th at

o f t h e E urop e an s p e ci e s O th e r s i ngi n g bird s are quite
.

n um e rou s an d duri ng t h e b e aut iful s pri n g morn i n g s t h e

,

woode d hill s are alive with s on g and s on gs te rs T h e .

horn bill is s acre d to t h e K achi ns Cranes and h e ro ns

-
.

vi s it t h e v all ey s e s p e ci ally duri n g t h e cool s e as o n Wood

,
.

pe cke rs and p aroqu ets ofte n with gorgeo u s plum age are
, ,

alw ays an i n te re s ti n g s ight .

Among t h e re ptiles t h e h am adryad is t h e mos t fe ared .

A s m all viper c alled t h e pu h tum figures in K achin tradition

“
as h avi n g c au s e d t h e d e ath o f t h e n i ne broth e rs who
in dire ctly c au se d t h e d e luge N o t kn owi ng which w as h e ad
.

o r t ail th e y w e re all kill e d by t h e c are l es s h an dli n g o f

“
t h e s n ak e Th e pytho n is e ate n and
. python gall is a
,
-

ve ry valu abl e m e dici n e S n ak es are n um erous but pois on ous

.
,

v arieties se e m to b e few O f liz ard s the re are variou s kind s

.
,

”
an d t h e c h ame le o n hold s a promi ne n t pl ac e as t h e se rp en t
‘

in t h e K achi n s tory o f Ed en .

Flora T h e v ege t atio n amo ng t h e lowe r hill s is se mi

‘

t ropic al ; at highe r altitud es we m ee t trees an d flowe rs

famili ar t o a temp e rat e Clim ate T h e pi ne grows freely .

in c e rt ai n p arts o f N orth H se nwi S p e cies o f o ak an d.

birch and a n umbe r o f tre e s with b e autiful flowe rs o f

, ,

which t h e bauh inna is t h e mo s t n oted give t h e hill s id es ,

a rich an d v ari e g at e d app ear an c e Beautiful orchid s o f

.
,

which t h e D endrobium family is t h e bes t kn own h ave ,

38 THE KACH INS .

brought t h e hi ll men m an y a rupee It is t o be re gre tted .

th at t h e ign oran t gree d which h as i ndis crimin ate ly brought

e ve ry pl an t you n g an d o ld t o t h e m ark e t h as pr actic ally
, , ,

e xt e rmi n at ed t h e more v alu abl e s p eci es within Briti s h

Burm a Mo s t o f t h e orchids s hipped from Bh amo o r
.
,

comin g by t h e way o f N amhk am h ave been colle cted ,

within Chinese territory .

R ubbe r w as form erly abun d an t in t h e H ukon g but t h e ,

trees are r apidly be in g kill ed as t h e K achi ns e xtract e ve ry

,

drop o f sap th at c an be h ad from t o p t o root O f fruit .

tr ees we h ave t h e apple (a k in d o f crab) pe ar plum , , ,

cherry peach quince waln ut and ches tnut But all t he

, , , .

vari eties e xcept t h e wal n ut are o f ve ry infe rior qu ality

, , .

Th e atte mp t s that h ave bee n m ad e t o i n troduce E uropean

fruits h ave no t been s uccess ful Th e heavy rainfall is .

d e trim e n tal t o t h e d eve lopmen t o f t h e trees Ras pbe rri es .

and wild s tr awbe rri es grow abov e an e l ev atio n o f

fee t H ome ve get ables do well as a rul e es pe ci ally durin g

.

t h e coo l s eas on Maiz e and pot atoes are cultivat e d more

.

an d more an d with good s ucc ess As t h e climat e is mod e r

.

at e t h e K achin hill s could without diffi cul t y s uppo rt a

Europe an popul ation T h e he at is n o t greater th an in

‘

S outh Afric a o r in t h e s outh e rn p art s o f t h e Unite d S t at es

, .

Th e s o il as a rul e is rich and with prope r me thods o f

,

cultivatio n would yi e ld rich er h arves ts t h an t h e crud e w ays

o f o ur hillm en m ak e po ss ibl e .

Th e Village Form e rly e ve ry v ill age s ite w as chos en with

.

a vi e w t o prot e ctio n from an attackin g e ne my T rib al .

fe ud s and intes ti n e warfare be lon ged to t h e ord e r o f t h e

day and it w as n e c essary for t h e chi ef an d h is s ubj e cts
,

t o p e rch th e ir hom es in t h e mo s t i n acc ess ibl e pl ac es The .

vill ages as a rul e we re l arge and far be tween But thi s .

is r apidly be i n g Ch an ged as a re s ult o f t h e pe ac eful lif e

u n d er t h e Britis h admi n i s tratio n Th e o nce l arge vill ages
.

are bre aki n g up an d s m all commu n iti es s e ttl e wh e r e v e r it i s

mo s t co nve n ient M any of t h e mod e rn v ill ages e xhibit but

.

fe w o f t h e ch ar act e ri s tics o f t h e form e r life .

 CO UNTRY V ILLAG E AND HO ME
, . 39

Th e typ i cal K achin vill age is appro ach ed by a lo ng ,

wood ed often pictures q ue en tr an ce c alled mas h ang O n

, .

each s id e o f t h e ro ad are pl ace d a ce rtain n umb e r o f s hort ,

he wn o r s qu are d po s ts (laban) cove red with rude picture s ,

o f gr ain weapon s hou se hold articl es an d orn am en ts

, , These .

are praye r po s ts T h e figures re prese n t s uch thin g s as

-
.

are mo s t d es ir e d an d v alu abl e t o t h e commu n i t y and as t h e ,

“ ”
providin g s pirits h ave th e ir pl ace ju s t be yond the y are ,

t h us co ns tan tly re mind e d o f t h e commun al n e e d and wi s h es .

H avin g p asse d t h e praye r pos ts we fin d u s u ally un d e r s om e

-
, ,

tall and venerabl e trees a n umb e r o f alt ars , s h ri n es , ,

"

and s h e lf lik e s tructures

-
t o which are ti e d i n n um e rabl e
,

b amboo sections wrappe d up in l arg e le ave s These thin gs .

are sacr ed t o t h e s pirits (ne ts ) t h e divi n iti es wors hipp ed by

,

t h e chief as re prese n t ative o f t h e vill ag e Co ns picuou s .

is as a rul e an enclos ure d e dicated t o t h e s pirit o f t h e e arth

, , ,

(sh adip) wh e re s p eci al offe rings are m ad e o n importan t

,

occas ions The re are ofte n s tre tche d acro ss t h e ro ad b am

.

bo o s plits ti e d toge the r s o as t o m ake a lon g li n e o n which ,

are hun g n ume rou s s t ar s h ap ed b amboo orn am en ts

-
This .

is t o kee p o ff s p irits th at cau se chol e ra smal l p o x c attle ,

-
,

di se ase o r t h e like L arge r commun iti es u s u ally build a

.

s mall hut or hou se wi t hout w all s in thi s pl ac e in which

, , ,

ann u al h arves t s acrifices are offered O th e rwi se it is n o t .

”
u se d In t h e good o ld d ays t h e vill age e ntrance w as
.

n o t o nly a pl ac e wh e re r e ligiou s ce r e mo n i es w e re p e rform e d ,

but often pre se nted s c e nes of quite a differen t ch aracte r In .

case o f a blood fe ud o r if t h e p ayme n t o f a d e bt h ad

-
,

bee n u nd uly d e l aye d t h e aggrie ved p arty would try to force

,

”
a s pe edy se ttl e m e n t by t aki n g po sse ss io n of t h e grove ,

an d from th e r e dire ct th e ir op e r atio n s toward s t h e vill ag e .

The y might dri ve a ce rt ain n umbe r of pe gs i nto t h e grou n d

v owing to t ie a cow or a pig from t h e offen din g vill age t o
each o n e b e for e th e y l e ft if an a gr ee m en t could n o t b e
,

reach ed Th ey would kill pigs an d fowl s an d in e ve ry w ay

.

h ar as s t h e u nfortu n at e vill age un til th e ir d em an d s were

40 THE KAC H IN S .

gran t ed This interes ting w ay o f coll ectin g a d ebt no w be

.

lo n gs to t h e p as t within Briti s h te rritory .

H avin g p asse d t h e vill age e ntr an c e th ere is u s u ally a ,

s hort di s t an c e be fore t h e vi ll age o r o n ly s om e of t h e hou ses

, ,

s udd enly e m erg es of the j un gl e A l arge vill age

“ ‘

o ut .

co vers a co ns id erabl e are a as t h e hou s es are built far ap art

'

for s afe ty in c ase o f fi re T h e y are perch ed o n n arrow

.

ridges o r hung o n t h e s tee p hill s id e with t h e ju ngl e Clo se at

,
-

h an d T h e hous e o f t h e chief (h ting

. n u) as a rul e occupi es ,

t h e mo s t d es irabl e loc ality an d is t h e mo s t typic al e ven

.

thou gh the y are all b uilt o n t h e s ame p atte rn In front .

Of t h e p al ace and in fact b e fore e ve ry oth er hou se

,
”
,

w e n oti ce a curiou s coll e ctio n o f s hrin es an d alt ars s imil ar

to tho s e p ass e d at t h e e n tran ce T h ese are alt ars an d .

re ligious e mbl e m s d e d icate d to t h e hou s ehold s pirits t h e

tural gu ardi an s o f t h e family N o o ne m
.

s up e rn a ay i n te rfe re
.

with th ese i n s ign i a o f Wors hip Th ey are all re ce pt acles o f

.

t h e v ariou s ki n d s o f offe ri ng s an d are ke pt i n t act to r e mi n d

,

t h e s p irit s th at th e y are co n s t an tly re m e mb e re d Th e .

i n iti ate d c an e as ily te ll to wh at ki n d of a s pirit a c ert ain

'
‘

altar is d e dic ate d .Th e re are u s u ally t wo kind s re prese n ti ng

t h e hou s e hold na ts two fo r t h e c e l es ti al s pirits an d o n e
~
, ,

o r more ki n d for t h e s p irit o f t h e earth T h e high s truct ures .

t o t h e ce l es ti al s pirits (mu and s in lap) are alw ay s c o n ,

s p ic uo us .A lo w altar by th e s ide o f whi ch is seen a tall

,

b amboo pol e from which are s us pe n d ed rude represe nt ati ons

o f t h e s u n and t h e cr es c e n t moo n m ad e o f b amboo s h ee ts ,

re mind us th at t h e s pirits rul in g th es e lumin ari es are h e re

in voked A l arge n umbe r o f S t An dre w s crosses tes tify
. .
’

t o t h e n umbe r o f c attl e th at h ave in t h e course o f tim e bee n

sacrifice d for t h e good o f t h e f amily If t h e commun i ty .

“ ”
c an bo as t o f a
“

prophet o r m edium (myithoi) a high ,

s caffold lik e s truct ur e as c en d e d by a t all b amboo l add e r

-

will te ll t h e tal e In this t h e prophe t re ce ives his in spira

.

tion and m akes kn own t h e will o f t h e s upe rn atural agencies .

“ ”
O u t s i d e , o r u s u ally in fro n t o f t h e p a l a ce w e as a ,

rul e n otice a circ ul ar excavation This is a d anc ing flo or .

-
,
 CO UNTRY V ILLAGE AND HO ME
,
. 41

whe re a gre at re ligiou s d an ce is gi ve n wh eneve r t h e chi ef

fe els c alled upo n to give t h e e n te rt ai nment an d is able ,

to d efray t h e e xp e ns es I n t h e N orth ern S h an S t ates a

.

a s m all s hri n e d e dicate d to a s pirit c all e d S h aming (K achi n

jd h tung ) i s
,
oft e n fou n d n e ar t h e v ill ag e e n tr an c e B ut thi s .

is an ad apt ation from t h e S h an an d i s n e ve r s e e n e xc e pt

wh e re S h an i n flu e n ce is s tron g (Comp C h ap XIII ; p ara . . . .

The home . H avin g p ass e d

long l ane which is a p art
the
of t h e vill age e n tran ce an d t h e pl ace d e dic ate d to t h e hou se
hold n ats w e e n te r t h e hou se of t h e chief It may b e
, .

lo nge r an d wid e r th an tho se o f h is s ubj e cts but pl an s tyl e , ,

an d a rr an g e m e n t is t h e s am e in all T h e re is firs t a .

co ve re d fron t without a floor wh e re p addy is pound ed ,

an d wh e re o n a low pl atform tow ard s t h e hi gh s id e of

t h e hill wood f armi n g impl e m en t s b as k e ts an d t h e like

, , ,

are k e pt . Pas s i ng through thi s fro n t th e r e is t h e s t abl e ,

covere d and clos e ly w alled in wh e re c attl e and horses

.
,

are k e pt . After thi s c attl e p en o r s table we re ach t h e front

-

s te p s
, u s u ally o ne o r more n otch ed po s ts s upporte d by a ,

tall po s t t h e upp e r e nd of which is c arved i n to t h e s h ap e o f

a s word We a s ce nd to a n arrow ve ran d ah about t wo
.

o r three fee t wid e which s e rves as a roo s t i n g pl ac e fo r t h e

,

”
fowl s and a s tore room wh ere food is ke pt for t h e pigs
-
.

Pu s hin g op en t h e na rrow cre akin g door w e h ave o n , ,

o n e s id e a lo n g room for g e n e r al u s e and o n t h e oppo s it e ,

t h e m aid en s? ap artm e n t (n la clap) wh e r e t h e you n g pe opl e

c an m ee t an d amu s e th e m se l ves Th e K achi n s h ardly e ve r
.

s pe ak of room s T h e hou se is divid e d i nto c e rt ain n umbe r

.

“
of fi re pl aces
-
th es e may b e walled o ff o r n o t but e ach ,

represe n ts an ap artm ent o r room Groping o ur way .

th rough t h e d arkness as th ere are n e ve r any W in dows

, ,
”
w e reach t h e m en s fire pl ace whe re co ns ultations are
’
-
,

h eld and s tr an ge rs are ent e rt ai ned Thi s is always s itu ated .

o n t h e s id e tow ard s t h e ri se o f t h e hill o r e l se o n th e ri ght ,

"
,

an d oppo s ite are t h e f amily a p artm e n ts These cons is t .

o f a room fo r eac h m arri ed f amily and o n e fo r t h e o ld ,

42 THE KACH INS .

pe opl e A bove t h e chief fire pl ace is t h e s acred corner

.
-
,

”
with a s h e lf l ike altar d e dica te d to t h e family s pirits
-
"
.

T ress p asse s in thi s pl ace are e s pe ci ally r ese n ted an d c ar e ,

s hould be t ak en no t t o touch o r h an dl e t h e religious

e mbl e m s th at may be clo se at h an d Pass in g t h e s pirit .

pl ace (no t ra) we reach t h e b ack doo r which l eads t o

,

a rai s e d veran d ah an d th e ba ck st e ps The re are ne ver .

more th an t wo re gul ar doors o ne at e ach end In very , .

long houses a lo w si de d o or may be foun d ne ar t h e m ain

-

fire pla ce but t hi s is n o t common

-
, T o h ave a lo n g hou se is.

a S ign o f w ealth and pros pe rity an d is a much covet ed ,

hon or H ous es o ne hundred and fifty fee t lon g are n o t

.

unc ommo n and s ome o f t h e chiefs c an bo as t a p al ace

,
"

t wo hundr e d o r e ven t w o hun dred and fif t y fee t in l e n gth

,
-
.

S uch a hou se is t h e home of a l arge n umbe r o f fam ili es .

Forme rly each slave family wo ul d h ave it s o wn ap artmen t

-
,

an d th e n th e re would be a n umbe r o f famili es be lo n gin g

t o t h e hou se hold T h e s p ace allott e d t o each w as n o t l arge

.
,

but quite s ufficie nt .

Th e h o u ses are built o n p il es abo ut t hre e fee t from t he

groun d T h e s p ace be low is walled in for t h e hogs and
.

fowl s Th e Kachin dwe llin g is no t as light and airy as

.

t h e S h an an d Burm an but much more s ubs tan ti al and

, ,

admirably ad apte d fo r a comparativel y cool cl im ate Dur .

in g t h e day t h e pe opl e live and work o ut o f doors but ,

at n i ght se ve r al fires gi ve h eat an d light T h e s moke fi n d s .

it s w ay o ut an yw ay it c an and thu s t h e whol e i n s id e ,

be com es bl ack and s hi n in g with s o ot H ous e cl e an i n g is .

-

practically u nkn own and t h e bamboo floor allows dirt o f

,

all ki n d t o f all down an d ac c umul ate be low Whe n a .

dwe llin g ge ts too o ld th at is wh en it h as s tood se ve n or

,

e ight y e ar s an d h as be com e too much i n h abite d for comfort

, ,

a s impl e r e m e dy is to put fi re t o it an d buil d a n e w o n e If .

t h e h ea d of t h e f amily di es t h e widow an d childre n will n o t

,

as a rul e co n sen t to li ve in t h e hou se wh e r e h e e xpired It .

is e ith er torn down or l e ft to s t an d e mpty an d a n e w hou se ,

is put up T imbe r and b amboo are c he ap an d a hou se c an

.
 CO UNTRY V ILLAGE , AN D R O M . 43

be put up in a fe w d ays Ac ciden ts by fire are n o t very .

commo n but if a house does burn t h e lo ss as a rul e is

,

n o t ve ry gr eat .

A s tran ger mus t never enter a house for th e firs t time

by t h e b ack door B oth t h e firs t e ntr an ce an d exit s hould
.

be by t h e fro n t door H avi n g o n c e gone in and o ut throu gh

.

t h e m ai n d oo r h e c an com e an d go as h e pl eases o n ly h e ,

mu s t always go o ut t h e s am e w ay h e c ame in If th ere .

is a fe n ce aroun d t h e hou se clothi n g saddl e s o r t h e like , ,

mu s t no t be hun g o n it n or mu s t anythin g be pl ace d alo n g

,

t h e eaves . N o t t o ob se rve th es e and s imil ar rul es t h e ,

gu ardi an s p irits will be offend ed and e ven though they may ,

n o t do an ythin g to t h e ign or an t offe nd e r th e y will s ur e ly ,

pun is h t h e unfortunate inh abit an ts fo r allowin g s uch

impiou s libe rties .

H ou se buildin g is a commun al affair alway s in e vid en c e

-
,

durin g t h e coo l seas o n It is m ad e a tim e o f fes tivity as

.

we ll as o f work T h e own e r will ge t o ut t h e timbe r

.
,

and wh e n all is r e ady t h e vill ag e pe opl e are c all e d toge th e r

,

by t h e be atin g o f drum s gon gs an d cymb al s Men wom e n

, .
,

an d Children joi n in t h e work T h e o ld men prep are b amboo .

s plits fo r t yi n g purpo ses as n o n ail s are u se d , T h e wom en ,

cut an d carry t h e th atch and atte n d t o t h e cooki n g d ep art

,

m e n t Th e youn g men do all t h e heavy work and t h e

.

ch ildren m ake th em se lves generally u se ful T h e whol e .

hou se may be put up in a s i ngl e day and it h ardly e ve r t ak es ,

more th an t wo But whe th e r t h e hou se is fini s h e d o r

.

”
no t t h e
, house warn i ng -
(n ings hawn s h ang) whe n t h e ,

family an d t h e gu ardi an s pirits t ake po sse ss io n o f t h e

n e w dw e llin g t ak es pl ace as a rul e o n t h e eveni n g of
, , ,

t h e firs t day . A pri es t re cites h is bl e ss in gs e xhorti ng t h e ,

s pirits to fill t h e ne w pl ac e with pro s p e rity an d abu n d an c e .

N e w fi re obt ai n e d by rubbin g two pi e ce s of b amboo toge th e r

is light e d at t h e pri n cipl e fire pl ac e A gene rous fe as t is -
.

provid ed A gre at d eal of rice and curry and abo ve all o f

.
, ,

n ati ve whi s ky is co n s um e d L abore rs are n o t p aid but t h e

.
,
“
lord of t h e hou se mu s t s upply all with food and dri n k .
44 TH E KAC H INS .

Toward s e ve ni n g o f a hou se buildin g day there is alway s an

-

anim at e d crowd doin g a great d ea l o f t alkin g an d ye l lin g

, ,

but ve ry littl e work A ll are more or l ess hil ariou s be ca use

.

o f lib er al imbibi n g
.
Q u arre l s e n din g in a fight are n o t
, ,

uncommo n o n s uch occ as ions But g enerally it is a good

.

n ature d crowd an d t h e q uarelling and s cr e ami n g do es n o t

m e an very much .
 CHAPT ER IV .

APPE ARANC E AN D D RE SS .

Th e Kachin s h ave bee n d es cribe d as ve ry dirty with

”
a r e pul s ive type o f cou n te n an c e Th at mo s t of th e m
.

are dirty and s om e o f th e m v e ry much so

, a dmit s o f n o ,

co n tro vers y but th e ir typ e o f coun ten ance is ge ne rally

,
”
far from re pul s ive Was hi n g is n o t a religiou s duty with
.

mo s t mou nt ai n p e opl e Wate r h as t o be c arried gre at

.

di s t ances ofte n ove r s tee p moun t ai n p ath s D uring t h e dry .

se as o n it is u s u ally s c arc e an d mu s t b e u s e d for more

,

importan t purpo s es th an b athin g In t h e cold we ath e r .

th ere is s m all in duce m en t to h ave a dip in a ru s hin g mou n

t ain s tre am as mos t K achins d e cl are it will gi ve th e m fe ve r
, ,

which is n o doubt tru e D uri ng t h e rai ns wh en th e y s p en d

.

mo s t o f th e ir tim e in t h e p addy fi elds wh e re w at e r is -

,

abu n d an t, th ey often h ave a was h Wh e n cl e an and .

prope rly dresse d both me n and wom en comp are quite

,

favorably with e ithe r S h ans or Burm ans .

Phys iognomy It is diffi cult t o s ay wh at is t h e gene ral

.

Kachin type his p articul ar c as t and e xpress ion o f c o un t e

,

n an c e
. Al l s h ad es and t ype s may be group e d toge th e r
in t h e s am e commu n ity Th e Mo n gol or Tart ar origi n
.

c ann ot be doubte d ; but the re h as b ee n a gre at d e al o f

i n te rmixture in d ays gone by an d clim atic conditions h ave
,

h ad th e ir u s u al e ffe ct Even amo ng o ur rude K achi ns

.

blood will tell T h e m emb e rs of t h e rulin g famili es are

.

ge ne rally more re fined and i nte llige n t looki n g th an tho se

o f t h e av e rage
“ ”
commoners and th e ir features are much
,

more re gul ar It is quite e as y to t e ll th e m in any g ath e rin g

. .

Well to do fami li es will allow a few e xtra luxuri es and ,

be ing more in touch with t h e outs id e world will be tr ay ,

r e finem e nt and good breedin g abo v e t h e ordin ary .

46 THE KACH IN S .

Ch i efs an d oth er rich men formerly h ad amon g th e ir

wives S h ari and B urm an women an d t h e children o f s uch ,

un io n s would S how th e ir mix e d p aren ta g e T h e g en e ral .

type howe ver is t h e s hort roun d face lo w ofte n n arrow

, , , ,

fore h ead high cheek bo nes obliqu e and wid ely se p ar ate d
,
-
,

dull e yes o f t h e u s u al ori ental compl exion bro ad n o se thick , ,

protrudin g lip s an d bro ad s qu are chi n T h e color o f t h e , .

s ki n may v ary from almos t n e gro bl ack t o t h e s allow ti n t o f

'

t h e n orth e rn C hin am an but t h e ordi n ary s h ad e is d ark

brown i s h Many are foun d with compl exio n and features
.

re m ark ably like t h e Am e rican Indi ans whil e o t h e rs might ,

almo s t h ail from s outh e rn E urope Thi s gre at divers ity .

is bes t accou n t ed for by i n te rm arri ag es with n e ighbouri n g

races which form erly w as much more common th an n o w
, ,

an d from clim atic co n ditio n s .

T h e men g e n erally s peaki n g do no t l o o k s tro n g o r

, ,

vigorou s Th e ir aver age h e ight is abo ut five fee t and four

.

i n ch es ; but s om e m e as ure close t o s ix fee t and pres en t

a fin e phy s iqu e Th e wom e n are s om e wh at s m all e r but
.
,

mo s t o f th e m are s tro ngly built and th ey are abl e to e ndure ,

a gr e at d eal o f h ard s hip T h e f act th at t h e wom e n work

.

h ard e r th an t h e me n h as co ntributed t o th e ir phys ical

d e velopme nt Many o f t h e me n live a life o f comp arative
.

idle ne ss s pe ndi n g th eir time in Opium s mokin g s l ee pin g

, ,

an d dri n ki n g n ati ve liquor compl ai n in g o f all ki nd s o f,

a ilm e n ts With care an d prope r h abits t h e K achin s would

.

be a s tro n g race c ap abl e o f a great d e al o f h ard work

an d n atur al d e ve lopm e n t .

M en s dress A mon g t h e me n th e re is n o u niformity

’
.

as t o m at e ri al worn o r t h e p articul ar cut o f co at an d

,

trou se rs N e arly e ve rythin g th ey wear is bought in t h e

.

S h ari Chi nes e and Burm an b az aars an d s tyl es an d S h ad es

, ,

v ary accordin gly T hey buy wh ate ve r th e y c an afford

. ,

which may mean an i n digo colored s uit worth a rupe e and

a h alf o r a cotto n p add e d S h an j ack e t r e pr
,
-
es e n ti n g a l arg e r

outl ay Th e H k ahku me n h ave prob ably ke pt closes t t o t h e

.

an ces tral w ay o f dres s i n g T h ey w ear a lo n g n arrow

'

. , ,
 APPEARAN CE AND p m . 47

'

vari g t d turban leavi ng t h e high t o p no t in vi e w a blue

e a e ,
-
,

c o at with lo ng wid e s l ee ves ; and a towe l li ke loin cloth

,
- -

c omi n g down t o t h e kn ees Amon g the s outhe rn K achins .

,

es pe c i ally e as t o f t h e Irr aw addy t h e loincloth h as given ,

-

place t o S h an o r Ch i nes e trou se rs T h e turb an t h e prid e o f .

,

t h e me n vari es accordi n g t o m eans an d s urrou ndin gs

,
.

A long white turban worn in Chinese fas hio n is t h e rage

amo n g t h e G auri s whil e s outh e as t o f Bh amo and n e ar t h e
,
-

S han S t at es the y are all ve ry p arti al to t h e s ilk h ead wear -

o f t h e Burm an s .

S word and bag Th e o nly articl es commo n to t h e men o f

.

tod ay is t h e lo n g u se ful s word and t h e e qu ally indis pe n si

,

ble b ag o r h aver s ack N o man is e ve r se en without

.

these n e c ess iti es T h e tru e K achin s word is n o w rare ly

.

see n s outh o f Myitkyi n a an d Mog au n g Th e S h an articl e is .

in commo n u se T h e b ag s are e l abor ate ly e mbroid e red

.
,

an d t h e diffe re n t p atte rn s i n dic at e t h e t as t e an d f an ci e s o f

diffe re nt commu n itie s Thu s w e h ave t h e H k ahku G auri

.
, ,

Ma tri x an d Ji n ghp aw b ags e ach wi th p e culi ariti es o f its o wn

,
.

The y ofte n di s pl ay a co ns id e rabl e amoun t o f orn am en t and ,

”
you n g me n c arry a richly e mbroid ere d towe l ti e d to t h e
s hould e r s tr ap alw ay s t h e gift o f s om e you n g wom e n and
-
, ,

worn for h er sake .

Women s dress T h ere is more u n iformi t y amo n g t h e

’
.

wom e n in re g ard t o dre ss th an amo n g t h e men Th ey s till .

m ake by h an d n e arly e ve rythi n g th e y we ar T h e o nly .

differe n ce in s tyl e is s uch as is ne ces s it ated by clim ate .

T h e wom e n in t h e H uko n g vall e y an d g e n e r ally o n t h e

wes t s id e o f t h e Irrawaddy we ar a s impl e r an d more c o m ,

fo rt ab le dress th an th e ir s i s ters livi n g a t high e r altitud es .

Th e dres s o f t h e g en ui n e hill wom an is quite e l aborate ,

pictures qu e an d e xp e n s i ve T h e m arri e d wom en put o n a .

ta ll fold ed h ead dres s o f blu e cloth ; u nm arri ed wome n an d

,
-

you n g girl s go b ar e h ead ed h avi n g th eir h air trimm ed so

-
,
“
as to h an g down as b an gs o r in fri n ge f as hio n I n th e ,
-
.

lobes o f th e ir ears th e y put lon g s il ve r tubes with lo n g

fri nges o f red fe lt cloth h angi n g down in fron t In t h e
-
.
48 THE KACH INS .

Ambe r mines dis trict t h e

-
ilver tube is re pl ace d by long s ,

c andl e s h ape d pi e c es o f cl ear ambe r o f co ns id e r abl e v alue

-
.

From t h e upp er portio n o f t h e e ar l appe ts or i nl aid s il ve r ,

pl ates frin ged wi th e mbroid e ry and s hort t ass e l s o f be ad s

, ,

compl e te t h e h e ad orn ame n ts Aroun d t h e n eck are hun g .

se v e r al s ilve r torqu es and s tri ngs o f ambe r gl ass o r por

, ,

c e lain be ad s B ead s es peci ally tho s e m ad e o f p e trified wood

.
,

foun d in t h e ambe r di s trict are often f amily h e irlooms ,

highly pri z ed Th e wives an d d aughte rs o f w e althy chi e fs

.

“
h ave a gre at d e al o f j e we l e ry of this in arti s tic kin d .

R e ally v alu abl e s to n es o r gold and S il ve r orn am en t s o f an

arti s tic n ature are s e ldom se e n T h e jackets are s hort with .
,

o r without S l e e ves Th e re gul atio n j ack e t with lo n g S l ee ves

.

is g e n e r ally e l abor ate ly d e corate d with e mbroid e ry p o rc e ,

l ain button s s ilver Cl as p s and Cloth o f bri ght red or gree n

, .

A row of s il ver dis cs or buttons go around t h e n e ck ; a cros s

o f porc e l ai n butto n s orn am e n t s t h e b ack and b an d s o f red o r ,
-

gr ee n fi n i s h off t h e cuffs Th e m akin g of s uch a j ack e t .

re quires s om e s kill T h e skirt is S hort b are ly re achin g be low

.
,

t h e k nee s It is s killfully e mbroid e red m an y o f t h e p at

.
,

te rn s b ein g both arti s tic and effe ct ive T h e K achin wom an is .

s e co n d to n o n e in Burm a wh e n i t s com es to arti s tic w eav i n g

an d e mbroid e ry T h e s kirt is put o n s o as to be fold e d at

.

t h e right s id e an d is h e ld in pl ac e by a l arge n umb er o f

,

c an e ri ng s T h e w e ari n g o f these rin gs s om e time s o ve r a

.
,

hu n dred toge th e r with n arrow b an d s cove red with co wri es

, ,

an d l acqu e re d b an d s of v ariou s d es ign s is pe culi ar to t h e ,

Kachin wome n “ Th e Pal aun g wome n put o n a ce rt ain

n umb e r o f s uch ri n g s but n o t n e arly as m any as t h e K achin
,
.

T h e H k ahku wom en an d tho se th at li ve o n an d n e ar t h e

pl ai ns fin d s uch an abu n d an ce o f fi ne ry too he avy an d
,

cumbe rs ome an d pre fe r a fe w s impl e ri n gs or a s as h o r a

,

b and Du ri n g t h e cold we ath e r l e ggi n gs are worn h e ld o n

.

by a n umbe r of fi ne rattan ri ngs S om e of t h e me n put o n .

S h an o r Chi nese sh oes but wom e n n e ve r allow th e m se lv e s

,

s uch luxuri es Fin ger rings o f s ilve r are quite common but
. ,

gold is r are and in m any localiti es pr actic ally u n kn own

,
.
 APPEARANC E AND DRESS . 49

Th o se th at live ne ar t h e S h an b az aar may put o n t h e

h e avy br ace l e ts worn by t h e S h an wom e n o r a che ape r
,

kin d m ad e by t h e Chin ese but thi s is o nly fo r t h e more

,

we ll to do .

A s pe cial holiday dress is n o t t h e fashion but o n gre at

,

occ as ion s as wh e n the re is a d an ce ( m an au ) or at s om e

, ,

s pe ci ally import an t w e ddi n gs t h e more w e althy wom e n an d

,

t h e you n g girl s of t h e l e adi n g f amili es will app e ar in b e auti

fully e mbroid e red s kirt s n o t othe rwi s e worn ; o ld me n will
turn o ut in lo n g s ilk c o at s o f Chin ese p atte rn ; but it is
se ldom an Opportu n ity is giv e n t o s ee a crowd in s uch attir e .

T ak e it all throu gh t h e K achin s are w e ll dre s s e d wh en at

‘

the ir be s t
.

Man y o f t h e men ne ve r ch an ge th e ir g arm en t s Whe n a .

n e w co at o r a n e w p air o f trou s ers is n e e d e d th ey are

,

bou ght in t h e b az aar an d put o n th en and th e re o ve r t h e

o ld which will drop off by d e gr e es
, Childre n up to four o r
.

fi ve ye ars of age are s c an tily dress e d Many of th e m we ar

.

only a s tri ng aroun d t h e w ai s t and an othe r s trin g s erves

,

as a n e ckl ace from which is s u s p e n d e d s e v e r al s ilv e r an d

,

copp e r coins ofte n to t h e v alu e of se ve ral rup ee s T hes e

, .

are ch arm s for prot e ctio n o r to i ns ure g o od luck A gre at

.

d e al o f coin ed S il ve r is plugg ed an d was te d in thi s w ay .

We would s ugge s t th at th ey u s e t h e mon e y an d buy clothin g

fo rt h e childre n but to t h e K achi n thi s do es n o t s e e m t o b e
,

wi s e eco n omy .
 CHAPT ER V .

CHARACTERI STI C S HABI T S AN D C U STO MS

, .

Eve ryo ne acqu ai nted with t h e hill tri bes o f upper B urm a
is impres s e d with t h e independence o f t h e K achi ns Thi s .

mus t no t all be put down t o ign oran ce o r l ack o f refine

m en t e ven though th e y h ave n o fixed form o f s alutation
, ,

” “ ”
an d n o word s for pl e ase o r th an k you Th e re are
.

polite and impolite ways o f s p e akin g but the y do no t,

appro ach t h e e xtr e m es o f t h e C hin e se n or do th e y voice

,

t h e humility o f t h e Burm ese Eve n t h e mo s t powe rful

.

chi ef is appro ached without t h e kn ee lin g and cri n gi ng s o

m arke d amon g S h ans and Burm ans T h ere is a prope r w ay
.

t o prese n t a c ase o r i n troduce a co n ve rs atio n an d c e rt ain

, ,

”
poi n ts o f e tiqu ette mu s t b e ob se rve d but t h e chi ef is
,

s ubj e ct to t h e s a m e rul es wh e n d e ali n g with h is pe opl e .

This abs en ce of form ality and thi s be ari n g o f e qu ality is

, ,

t h e n atur al res ult of a lo n g life o f fre e dom Th ey h ave

.

n e ve r be e n s l aves, an d w e re n e v e r tribut ary t o anyo n e .

Th e Chi nes e a n d Burm ans n e ve r in re ality rul e d t h e hill s .

Th e K achin chi e f t ax e d t h e Burm an s and S h ans o n t h e

pl ai n s impo se d duty o r bl ackm ail o n e ve ry trad e r o r c ara
,

v an th at p asse d through h is te rritory and r aid e d wh en e ve r

,

h e thought h e h ad a c au se o r fe lt i n clin ed Without p ayi ng

.

an an n u al tribut e n o S h an o r B urm an v ill age could e xi s t

whe re t h e hillm en we re withi n s tri ki n g di s tan ce T h e peo .

'

ple alo n g t h e l arge ri ve rs would oft e n s l e e p in bo ats wh e n

th ey h ad re as o n to fe ar a raid and l arge commun iti es like
,

Bh amo and S awadi w ere att acke d and s acked more th an

o nc e Thu s t h e K achi n re garded him se lf lord o f all h e
.

s urv eye d an d h e ld both Burm an s an d S h ans in co n t e mpt

, .

Yo u fire a pr airi e o r kill a S h an ju s t for t h e s ake o f doin g

it is o ne o f his proverbs th at in dicates his es tim ate o f his
,
52 THE KACH INS .

ne ighbours T h e chi ef whil e n omin ally t h e h e ad o f t h e

.
,

commu n ity is ve ry oft e n a m e re fi gu re h e ad O n e o f t h e

,
-
.

”
e ld e rs o r s om e o ne more th an ordi n arily res ourc e ful
, is ,

t h e re al l e ad e r B es id es any i n dividu al in troubl e if In ot

.
, ,

sa ti s fi e d with t h e d e ci s io n of chi e f an d e ld e r c an always ,

t ak e t h e law i nto h is o wn h an d s If h e an d h is p arty are .

s tro n g e n ough th e y c an dict at e th e ir o wn t e rm s A K achin .

h as a kee n s e n s e o f h is pe r s o n al rights H e re s e nts an y

“

thin g th at i nte rf e res with h is lib e rty o r wh at h e re g ard s as ,

his due H e do es n o t k n ow h o w to t ake d ef e at gr ac e fully

.
,

an d n e ve r forg e ts o r for giv es an i njury or wro n g .

R evengeful This Ch ar acte ri s tic is at t h e bottom o f t h e

.

l arge n umb e r of fe ud s which in form e r tim es k e pt familie s

an d commu n iti es in co n ti n u al s trife O ur K achi n is t e .

ve n geful but n o t cru e l and h e ou ght n o t to be c all e d

, ,

tr e ach erou s H e is c ap abl e of fid elity and h as h is se nse of

.

ho n or H e re g ard s it h is du t y to aven ge e ve ry wron g done

.

him o r h is f amily In t h e c as e of a murd e r th e re is a blood

.

fe ud ; if hi s wom e n are wro n ged th e re is a fin e to be

e x act e d ; if h is c attl e are hurt or h is fie ld s are i nt e rfe red
,

with the re mu s t b e a re pri s al O r a se ttl e m e nt If t h e

, .

offe ndin g p arty acc epts t h e t e rm s impo se d pe ace is d ecl are d ,

and n othi n g more w ill be s aid or do n e But if t h e oppo s ite .

is t h e r e s ult th e re mu s t b e a fi ght to t h e fi n i s h A fe ud for .

thre e five o r se ve n gen e ratio n s may b e d e cl ared A man

, .

may t ak e a v o w th at h e will n o t put o n a turb an u n til h e

ha s s ati s fie d v en ge an ce I n s uch c as es childre n and gr an d
.

childr e n mu s t ave n ge th e ir fath ers Wh en a fe ud is o n th ey .

are n o t p articul ar as to m e th o d s so lo n g as th e y s ecur e ,

s ucc ess With the m all is f air in love and w ar an d if

. ,

t h e e n e my c an b e pu n i s h e d without lo ss to th e m se lve s s o
much t h e be tte r It is thi s trait th at h as given t h e K achi n s
.

t h e re put atio n o f be i n g tr e ach e rou s .

A fe ud always be comes a family o r tribal affair All .

conne cted in any w ay wh ats oe ve r with t h e co nte ndi n g

p arti es be come i n vol ved T his h as n aturally le d to s trange
.

mi sc arri age o f ju s tice an d from o ur poin t o f vi e w cru el

, ,
 CHARACTER IST ICS , HAB ITS AN D C USTO MS . 53

inj us tice more th an o nce Wh en t h e K achin s firs t came in

.

con tact with E urop e ans th e y foun d it difficult in crimin al

,

c ases t o un d e rs t and o ur poin t o f vi e w If o ne o f the ir me n .

h ad be e n kill ed o r robbe d s ay in Bh amo t h e whol e city

, ,

be c am e in volve d an d t h e re l ati ves would t ak e ve n ge an ce

,

o n an yo n e comin g from th at commu n ity e ve n though t h e ,

victim may ne ver h ave he ard o f t h e c as e Ye ars may h ave .

e l aps e d an d t h e d e e d forgott e n by all e xc e pt t h e ave n gin g

s pirit s t h e re l ative s
, The re w as o f co urse a re as on e ven
.

for s o arbitr ary a law T he y kn e w th at if a man w as kill ed

.

in a pl ace like Bh amo th e re would n o t b e o n e ch an c e in a

,

hu ndred th at t h e murd e re r would b e h an d ed ove r t o K achin

jus tice and thu s to te ach a l ess o n t h e firs t i n dividu al from
,

t h at commun ity th at h app e n e d alo n g would h ave to p ay

t h e pe n alty S ome Chin am en from Bh amo w e re o n ce kill e d
.

by a K achi n chi ef be cau se o f a murd e r c ommitt ed years

,

be fore by a Burm an A p arty o f mi s s io n ari es we re att acked

"

an d robbe d in t h e G auri hill s fo r s om e im agi n e d wro n g

he ld t o t h e accou n t o f a B riti s h e xp edi tion se nt in to Yunnan

n early tw e n ty y e ar s be fore If t h e B riti s h rul e s hould be
.

withdrawn it would be impo ss ibl e fo r a white man o r n ative

o f In di a t o p as s through t h e hill s without s e riou s troubl e .

They would remembe r all killed in a fight o r impri s o ned ,

“
an d t h e firs t foreigne r comin g alo n g would h ave t o p ay
”
the price o f blood Th e logic o f thi s may n o t appe al t o
.

“
u s but it is n o t so v e ry lo n g ago s in ce s imil ar
, l aws we re
e nforce d both in E urope an d Am e ric a .

Reserved T h e n um e rou s fe ud s and t h e ch an c e o f always

.
,

m ee tin g an in dividu al o r p arty with which h is family h ad

an un se ttl ed di s pute ma d e a K achi n s u s piciou s an d res e rv ed
, .

The y n e ver g ave corre ct i nform ati o n t o s tr an ge rs reg arding

the ir bu s iness an d wh e re abouts Thi s i tr ait often arou se d
.

commen t and o ur fri ends h ave be en c all ed

, awfu l
”
li ars. The y do n o t alway s tell t h e truth but th e y are no t ,

habitual l iar s It is again th e ir poin t o f vi e w s lightly

.

diffe re nt from ours Whe n a Europe an as ks a K achin whom

.

“
h e m ee ts o n t h e ro ad Wh e re do yo u com e from ? h e is
,
54 THE KACH IN S .

s ure t o ge t t h e correct i nform atio n ; but t h e s ame ques tio n

by an u n kn own coun trym an would e licit an e vas ion In t h e .

firs t c ase the re would be n o d an ge r in telling t h e truth in ,

t h e s e co n d c ase th e ir might be Wh e n e n te ring a vill age.

,

if o ur firs t qu es tion s co n c e rn t h e n umber o f hou ses o r

t h e amoun t o f p addy h arves t e d e ve n t h e mo s t truth lovi n g
,
-

K achin will prevaricate This is n ot be c ause o f hi s lo ve o f

.

lyin g but h e c an n ot see w h y thi s s hould i nte res t a s tran ger

, ,

o r h e may s u s pe c t th at y o u are an o f fi ci al o n i n s p ection

with a vi e w to i ncre ase d t ax ation But wh en w e re ally .

kn ow t h e K achin and h ave g ai ne d h is co n fiden ce we realize ,

th at h e is an i n te res ti ng i ndividu al i ntense ly hum an in , ,

mos t p articul ars ve ry much l ike o urse lves lovin g a good ,

s tory an d a good tim e an d see i n g t h e poin t o f a jok e as

readily as anyon e .

H ones ty Taken as a whole t h e K achi ns are remark ably

.

hon es t T h ere is littl e s te ali ng amon g th e m se l ves Kachin

. .

s e rv an ts c an as a rul e b e tru s ted

, T h e thi e f in t h e old e n
, .

t im e w as e ith e r kill e d o r s old as a S l ave This h ad a .

mos t s alutary effect which u nfortu n ate ly is b eginn i ng t o

,

we ar away In t h e m att er o f ownin g up a man put

.
,

to t h e; tes t may co ns ult h is con ve n ience ; but as a re gul ar

th in g th e y wi ll t ell t h e truth o r you will kn ow w h at is t h e
,

truth if you kn ow h o w to m ake due allowan ces an d

d eduction s .

H ospi ta lity Eve ry s tr anger s toppi ng o ve r ni ght in a

,

K achin vill age is s ure o f h is food and lodging T h e chi ef is .

in duty bou n d t o e n t e rt ai n all vi s itors o r if h e is n o t abl e ,

t o do it o ne o f t h e
, e ld e rs mus t do t h e hon ors Th e .

gu es t rece ives it no t as a favor but as an es tablis h ed right , .

A vi s itor may s tay a n umbe r o f d ays and n othing is thought

o f it. As a rul e how e ve r th e y do n o t impo se o n t h e
, ,

ho s t and tak e no u ndu e libe rties Th e hos t is res po ns ibl e .

fo r t h e go od be h aviour o f a s tr an ge r as lo ng as h e re m ai n s ,

an d mu s t do h is utmo s t to fin d an d pu n i s h him in c ase

h e h as commit t e d an offe nse T o refu se e nte rt ain me nt .

 C HARACTER IST ICS HAB ITS , AND C STOU MS . 55

(mdnam daw ) would be reg arde d

,
a grave ins ult an d might
l e ad to a fe ud .

Pers ona l habi ts . Men wom en

children chew be te l
, an d

n ut, tob acco cutch lime and s eve ral kin d s o f n arcotic
, , ,

l e aves th at they grow o r pick in t h e ju ngl e It is a .

fil thy h abit an d it m ak es h av oc with th e ir tee th Th e

, .

co mmo n e xcu se fo r ch e wi ng is th at if th ey do n o t do it
the mouth will s mell ”
All drink t h e n ative whis key o r
.

bee r and eat m alted rice Those th at c an afford it ge t .

t h e di s till e d liquor from t h e n ative b az aars O rdin arily .

t h e pe opl e do n o t dri nk to e xc ess They c all th eir bre w .

”
by v ariou s po e tic n ame s s uch as h e ave n ly s weat o r , ,

milk from C h yanun (t h e moth e r o f all K achi ns ) and

”
,

u se it co n s t an tly But it is o nly at t h e gre at fes tiv al s

.
,

at t h e tim e o f hou se buildi n g and wh e n S pe ci al s acrific es are

-

offe red th at mod e ratio n is dis card ed and dru nke n orgi es
,

are t h e rul e Inebri ates and h abitu al drun k ard s are fou nd
.
,
“
an d duri n g t h e cool seas o n wh e n a n umb e r o f fe as ts c all
t h e crowd s tog ethe r a gr e at d eal o f liquor is co n s um ed ;
but duri n g t h e res t o f t h e ye ar s carcity if nothin g e l se kee p s
mos t o f the m s obe r Pr actically all o f t h e men an d s om e o f
.

t h e w o med s moke tob acco which the y rai se th e m s e l ves

, In .

so m e loc aliti es t h e us e o f opium both for ch e wi n g an d

s moki n g is o n t h e i n crease Thi s is greatly t o be re gretted

. .

In t h e N orth e rn S h an S tates t h e poppy is exte ns ive ly

cultivated and t h e us e o f t h e drug is ass u min g al armin g
,

proportions Th e res ult will be gre ater pove rty th an e ver

. .

A Kachin is always dis inclin ed t o work and rele gates all th e

drudgery to t h e women O n ce un de r t h e i nflu en ce o f opium
.

h e r apidly be comes a worthl ess and hop e l ess burd en .

H is o ne aim in life will be t o s ati sfy h is d e prave d appe tite ,

an d t o se cure h is Opium h e will do almo s t anythin g .

Ve ry few h ave mor al s tren gth e nough t o give up t h e

h abit once it h as a hold o n th em (Co mp Ch ap VI . . . .

p ara O pium)
. .

Food .A K achin is rath er p articul ar abo ut his food H e .

c an m ake a m e al from almos t anyt hin g that grows

56 THE KACH INS .

in t h e jun gle but much more fast idious in regard t o

, is
h is fl es h p o t H e n e ve r tou c hes fl es h o f t h e feline family
-
.
.

Killing a tige r h e will s moke and dry t h e meat t o sell

,

i t t o t h e Burm ans The y use it fo r me dicin e and t h e .

,

C h ines e utili ze t h e bo nes fo r t h e same p urpos e Do gs

'

are ea ten o n ly by t h e Maru s w h o are d es pise d o n acc ount ,

o f it. T h e python is t h e o n ly sn ake di s h e d up fo r curry and ,

monkey is reli shed o nl y in c e rt ain l o calities Crows and

'

h awk s are se ldom eaten but ne arly e ve ry othe r kin d o f ,

bird is re g ard ed as fit fo r food Fis h o f e ve ry kind is .

ac ce pte d C att le t h at h ave di e d by di se ase are rare ly eaten

'

.
,

and h an dl in g t he food they are ve ry careful Th ey n e ver .

t ouch t h e boil e d ri c e w ith the ir b are h an ds The y always .

u se l adl es o r l eaves s i n ge d and h alf d ri ed wh e n di s hin g

up t h e meal ; No o ne need hes itate t o p artake of a dis h o f

K ac hin rice .

There are a good many rules and s upe rs titions as t o '

fo od and drink S o me water o r li quor is always po ured

.

C hildre n mu t s n o t eat eggs their fee t will no t grow

, or .

H o n ey or porcupin e fles h mu s t n o t be gi ve n t o a pre gnan t

c au se liver trou bl e n o d o ubt true " Tiger s h e art m ak es

-
,
’

a man fe rociou s an d s hould be e at en duri n g war tim e t o

,

arouse courage Anyon e eati n g pig s t ail will be s low ;

'
’
.

ea tin g food i n te nd e d fo r a pe rs o n w h o h as ju s t di e d will

'

the y will be i ndifferen t t o p aren ts and relatives If a

‘ '

maxi eats crows h e will be n e rvous an d frightened ; if

'

h e eat s t h e wing o f a fo wl his S kill will be o n es id e d

' i
.

Eatin g t h e m eat from t h e h ead o f a co w mis fortune in

'

cattle de alin g will be t h e res ult If women eat t h e entr ail s

-
.

o f fowls t h e ir y arn will be s n arl e d whil e w eavin g

, These .

are o nly a fe w o f t h e pl eas an tri es alo n g thi s li ne .

C us toms S oc ial cus tom s and rul es o f e ti qu e tte

. diffe r
s om e wh at in dif feren t localiti es Many o f t h e Gauries h ave .
 HARACTER IST ICS
C , HAB ITS A ND CUS TO MS . 57

a dop te d t h e C hinese way o f bo wi ng and a fe w s trongly ,

influe n c ed by S h ans and B urm an s will s how court es y in th e ir

pe culi ar ways ; but th es e are exception al c ases t h e true ,

K achin cus toms s till be ing t h e s tan dard A K achin will .

,

t o t h e g e ne ral obs e rve r look rud e an d un re fi ned but h e h as

, ,

h is cod e o f moral s and co n duct an d rul es o f e tiqu e tte .

Th e ackn owl e dged form o f i ntroductio n an d fri en dly

in te rch an ge o f courte s ie s is by e xch an gi n g be te l n ut boxes -
.

This be i ng done con vers atio n will fl o w free ly Abs olute .

s t r an ge rs are i n troduc e d by th e ir f amily n am es an d th ey ,

are as k ed t o h e lp th e m se lves from t h e b o x o r from a

bamboo fill ed wi t h liquor In ge neral conve rs ation o ne

.

rar e ly h ears anythi n g foul s mutty o r obj e ctio n abl e

, The y .

are n o t o rdinarily giv e n t o lo w t alk Th e l an gu ag e is rich .

in e uph emis ms and mos t d elic ate s ubj e cts c an be di s cu sse d

in a n atur al m ann e r .

T h e f amily rel ations are all t h at we c an ex pe ct Infi .

delit y within t h e m arri ed s tate is n o t common an d a ,

divor ce is next t o impo ss ible (See t h e ch apter o n Marri age

.

Cere mon ies ) T h e you ng pe opl e are howe ver allowed t oo

.
, ,

gre at fr e edom and thi s h as led t o t h e wors t s id e o f th eir

,

c us tom s . But as w e will poi n t o ut in a l ate r ch apte r

, ,

we mu s t n o t judge th e m e n tire ly from o ur s tan d ard s o f

morality Wife b ea tin g is allowed but it is no t common
.
-
, .

C hildre n grow up without much care and t h e parents h ave , .

ve ry little control over th e m O ld age is highly res pe ct ed

.
,

an d t h e o ld pe opl e are w e ll t ak en c ar e o f .

Many are quick t empe red and -

s we arin g, is q uite
common by both men and women If anything goes wrong .

it is like ly t o bri n g an o at h t o th eir lip s T h e u s u al forms .

o f impre catio n are : May t h e na ts (s pirits) bite yo u

” ”
‘

May tige rs maul y o u May lightn in g s tri ke yo u

, May ,

”
y o u die by a ccid e n t , M ay your wom en die in c o nfin e
m e nt.
”
Foul t e rms o f abu se are no t l acking in a h eated
qu arre l ; but as a rul e th ere is very littl e q uare llin g ,

and o ne s e ldom sees a fight amo n g th e m e xc e pt wh en th e y ,

are un de r t h e infl u ence o f liquor .

 58 T HE KAC H INS .

S ome of rul es obse rved in g o od s oci ety are t h e

th e
following : Vi s itors as h as alre ady bee n told mus t al ways
, ,

e nter a hou se fo r t h e firs t tim e by t h e fro nt door an d ,

d ep art t h e sam e way A man mus t ne ve r p ass be hi nd

.
,

but always in front o f an oth er ; thi s be c au se a man always

carri es a s word and may attack from beh in d Women may .

p ass be hi n d a man o r if p as s in g in fro n t mu s t be nd lo w

,

an d g ath e r t h e ir s kirts so th e y do n o t touch an yo ne .

O n t h e ro ad a wom an mu s t alw ay s c arry a b as k e t and

follow be hind t h e man A gift mu s t be prese n ted and
.

a cc e pte d by holdi ng o ut both h an d s T o us e o nly o ne .

i ndic ates prid e and dis res p ect O ne mu s t n o t eat in t h e

.

prese nce o f vi s itors o r s tran gers without firs t as kin g th e ir

pe rmi ss ion n o r mu s t anyo n e l eave a hou s e o r a pl ace
,

without firs t as king May I (o r we) go

, T h e ho s t o r t h e
”
p arty addresse d will th en s ay Go and libe rty is given t o
, ,

d ep art T here are quite a n umbe r o f fare we ll expres

.

s io ns wi s h i ng o n e a h appy journ e y an d tho se th at d e p art ,

e xpres s t h e h 0 p e th at tho se r e m ai n in g be hi n d may h av e

a pl easan t tim e and be s ati s fi e d alo n e N o o n e may e n t e r .

t h e f amily comp artm e n ts in t h e hou s e o f a s tr an ge r wi t hout

s pe ci al pe rmi ss io n T h e hos t mu s t offe r vi s itors and gu e s ts
.

t h e bes t t h e hou se c an afford The irs is t h e pl ace o f hon or

.

at t h e chi e f fire pl ac e and th e y may be as k ed to r e gard

,

t h e hou se as th e ir o wn .

Me e ti ng s tr an ge rs o n t h e ro ad o n e mu s t ne ve r as k ,

”
Are y o u well ?
(d a Thi s form o f salut ation ,

which h as be come cus tom ary when E urope an s addres s

K ach in s implies acqu aint an ce and famili arity no t tole rated
, ,

e x ce pt be twee n fri e n d s an d re l ati ves In t h e good o ld d ays

.

a s tr an g e r u nf amili ar with K achin w ay s would b e impri s o n

ed an d fi n e d if u s i n g thi s form o f s alut at io n wh e n m ee ti ng

pers o n s h e h ad never seen be fore It is pe rfe ctly prope r t o.

as k an yo n e o n t h e ro ad Wh o are yo u
,
? Wh ere do you
”
com e from? Wh at do yo u carry Wh ere are yo u goin g
o r t h e lik e . O nly afte r be i n g prope rly in troduc ed (s h dchyen)
is it pe rmi ss ibl e t o enq uire as t o t h e h ea lth and we lf are
 C HARACTER IST ICS , HAB ITS AND C USTO MS . 59

of th ei ndividu al and his family Th ese rul es are viol ated

.

con s tan tly by E urope ans n o t famili ar with t h e in tricacies o f

Kachin ways and cus toms Th e hillmen however t ake
.
, ,

it good naturedly be c au se they c ann ot do anythin g e l se

-
, ,
“
an d mo s t o f th e m u nd e rs t an d th at t h e b ad form of

t h e whit e man is due t o t h e fact th at h e do e s n o t k n ow

an y be tt e r "

th r
’
fl'
 The K achin form gove rnm en t comes in it s conception
of

n ear es t to t h e p atri arch al and in it s e ve ryd ay worki n g

,

t o t h e commun is tic .Pr actically e ach vill age l arge o r s m all , ,

h as it s o wn h e adm an o r chi e f wh o with t h e h e lp o f t h e

,
”
e ld e rs m an ages t h e affai rs o f t h e commu n ity H ere .

an d th e re an u n u s u ally e n te rpri s i n g and aggr e s s iv e chi e f

may h ave un de r him s ubordin at e chiefs o r h eadm en but

“

this is t h e e xce ption O rdin arily e ach chie f is quite i nd e

.

pe nde nt in h is vill age o r commu n ity Th e chi ef be lon gs .

t o o ne o f t h e five f amili es o f Chi e ft ai n s (Se e Ch ap I) , .

,

an d h e g ath e rs arou n d him s uch repre se n ta tives from

t h e f amili es of commo n e rs as are dr awn h is w ay T h es e .

c an alw ay s l e ave t h e vill age if th er e are gre ater i n duce

m en ts in diffe ren t dire ction s Th e vill age and t h e i nh abit

.

an ts may for t h e s ak e of co n ve n i en c e be c all e d by

, ,

t h e f amily n am e o f t h e chi e f but th e re is n o trib al o r

,

family re l atio n b e twee n th e m Whe n w e s p eak about a

.

Mi ran o r L ahp ai vil l age w e h ave in min d a commu n ity

,

rul ed by a chie f from o ne o f th ese famili es ; but h is s ubj ects

may re pre s en t s core s o f ordin ary famili es di s t ributed all
ove r t h e coun try Th e n ame of t h e chi ef is n othin g t o
.

th e m the ir re gul ar family n am e is wh at cou nts es pe ci ally in

, ,

the ir m arri age re l atio ns N owad ays wh en l an d is all t ake n

.

up and n e w co n qu es t is impo ss ibl e the re may be a n umber ,

o f chi e fs in t h e s am e vill ag e ; th ey m ay o r m ay n ot s h are

in t h e go ve rn m e n t
.
A chief c an n eve r in the ory be come
.

a commo n e r but in re ality m an y o f th e m h av e d e ge n e r

,

at e d an d lo s t th e ir authority and e ve n i nt e rm arri e d with

s ome localiti es es pe ci ally in

62 m s KAC H INS .

by re be l (gumlau) chiefs The y represe n t a movement .

o f s om e forty ye ars ago d irec te d ag ain s t t h e h ereditary

(g u m s a) chi e f s with a, vi e w t o e n abl e any man w h o could

s e cur e a followin g t o bec om e l ead e r h eadm an o r chief , .

Th e org ani z ati on o f t h ese d e mocr atic commun iti es d oes n o t

m ateri ally diffe r from t h e re gul ar an ces tral gove rn me nt .

Th e re be l chi ef h as th eore t ic ally n o authority t o o ffer

t o s om e o f t h e gre at s pirits es pe ci ally t h e mdda i and , ,

c an thu s n e v e r gi ve a re ligiou s d an ce ( mdud u) but h avi n g

u s urpe d t h e power o f t h e h eredi tary chi ef h e may find s ome

way if s o i n clin e d t o exe rci se h is privil e ges
, , This move .

m ent fo r i nd ep en d en ce is n o w at an end as t h e Briti s h ,

Gove rn men t re cogn i zes t h e h ere ditary chi efs O ur concern .

is al s o with t h e r e gul ar ord e r o f thin gs as h an d e d down

from an c es tr al tim es
) .

The C hief: I n e very commun ity t h e man o f firs t im po rt

an ce is t h e chi e f (da wa) N o t th at h e is alw ays t h e abl es t
.
,

s tro n ges t o r mo s t i nflu en ti al i ndividu al t h e re ; but h e is

always reg ard ed as t h e r epresen ta tive o f t h e vil l ag e It is a .

mi s t ak e howe ve r t o call a K achin chi ef a S awbwa a t e rm

, , ,

i n trodu ced from t h e S h an H e is with ve ry fe w e xce ptio ns

.
, ,

n o t hin g but a vill ag e h eadm an wi t h limite d power Th e .

yo un ges t so n bec omes chief afte r h is fath er and tak es over ,

t h e o ld hom e Th e old e r s o n s e ith e r see k a dom ai n

.

o f t h e ir o wn o r re mai n in t h e vill age wi t h t h e titl e o f

,

chief but in mos t cases with n one o f it s prerog atives

, .

N ow ad ays th e re is n othi ng for th e m t o do but t o re m ain

an d m ake t h e bes t o f it .

T e authority o f t h e chi e f and his i nfl ue n ce in t h e

( h ,

community d e pe nd s e n tirely o n h is s tren gth o f ch aract er

,

and pe rs o n al ability If h e is i n te lligent aggres si ve an d

.
,

e n te rpr is in g hi s rul e will be practi cally auto cr atic

, If we ak .
,
“
’
eas y goi n g an d i n diffe re n t s om e o n e o f t h e
-
e ld e rs
, will -

be t h e r eal rul er whi l e h e o nly c arri es t h e titl e

, In d ays .

go ne by m an y o f t h e ch i efs ne ve r worked but led a ,

l azy life be comin g s l aves t o whi s ke y opium an d other

, ,

vices These men and their des cen d an ts are tod ay very
.
 GOVERNMENT AND LA W. 63

o ften t h e poores t an d we akes t in t h e community ; th e ir

o ld w ay s o f live l ihood h ave be e n tak e n aw ay from th e m and ,

th e y h ave no t bee n abl e t o adjus t t h emse lves t o t h e more

e x actin g co nditio n s ?

Tribut e t o t h e chi ef cons is ts in o ne or t wo b as ket s o f

p addy a year from e ach house hold ; ce rt ain d ays o f l abor
from t h e whol e commu nity at t h e tim e o f pl an tin g and
h arves t and a hi nd qu arter o f e ve ry anim al kill ed as
,
-

a s acrific e o r in hu n ti n g N ow ad ays mo s t chi efs find

.

it diffi cult t o coll ect thi s mod erate amount as t h e pe ople ,

are u n willi n g to p ay t ax es both to th e ir o wn chi e fs and

t o t h e Briti s h Gove rn m e n t But in t h e glorious d ays go ne

.

by t h e chi ef th at could t ax t h e lowl an d s and l evy duty o n

p ass ing c ar av ans live d in abu nd an ce Th ey gre w rich and
.

import ant could afford quite a h are m wh ere e ven Burm an

,

and S h an wome n would be fou n d ; th e y would h ave a l arg e

n umbe r o f s l ave s po n i es an d h e rd s o f c attl e

, Man y h ad .

pre tentiou s fram e d hou ses often s tock ad ed built in Chine se

, ,

s tyl e . Th e vill ages the y prote ct e d o n t h e pl ains brought

the m a h an ds om e reven ue s in ce prote ction always m ean t
,

th at n o o ne s hould h ave a right to fl ee ce th em but they

them se lves Wh en all thi s w as done away with by Briti s h
.

rul e no wo nd er t h e chi e f all o f a s udde n di s covere d th at

,

h e w as t h e mo s t d es titute man in t h e vill age Man y o f .

th e m h ad fe w fi e ld s to fall b ack upon th e ir h e rd s we re

s oo n d eplete d by t h e cons t an t s acrifice s ; th e ir s l aves
ran aw ay ; c arav an s could p ass by th e ir door without p ayi n g

as much as a h an dful o f s alt ; S h an s an d Burm an s an d ,

e ve n th e ir o wn pe opl e p aid n o att e n tio n t o th e m an y more .

It w as a mos t radical ch an ge an d t h e m e mory o f it s till

lingers It is h ard for t h e o ld chi efs t o forge t and forgi ve ;
.

th e y lo ng fo r t h e day wh en t h e K al a will d ep art an d t h e

an ces tr al glory be res tore d We c annot bl am e th em fo r
.

fee ling as th ey do ; it is hum an n atur e and there is a great

,

d eal o f thi s in t h e K achin bre as t .

Village Pleader
" In s om e o f t h e l arge r vill ages a
.

man o f i nflu en ce call ed t h e bawmung (a S h an word m ean

, ,
64 TH E KACH INS .

in g t h efath er o f t h e country is t h e re al rul e r H e is a .

”
kin d o f plead e r and is always a man o f s tron g ch ar acter
,

and pe rs o nal force In a c o mrh un it y wh e re t hi s offici al

.

is foun d t h e chi ef h as u s u ally v e ry littl e to say The .

ba wmung is always a man o f t h e pe opl e and hold s h is

'

ability an d wh at h e ,

E lders . Mos t commun ities h ave but there no bawmung ,

”
are always two o r more e ld e rs ald e rm e n (s dlang) whom
, , ,

t h e chi e f co n s ults in all c as es o f import an ce O n e of th e se .

is re cogn ize d as t h e big e ld e r ; h e is o ne o f t h e oldest

an d mo s t e xpe ri e n c e d men in t h e commu n ity an d wh at h e an d ,

hi s ass oci ates d e cr e e ge n e rally b e com e s l aw O n ly an .

e xc e ptio n ally s tro n g chi e f would e v e r d are to Oppo se t h e

e ld e rs. In all m att e rs o f s p e ci al import an ce or gr avity

,

a c ou n cil of t h e e ld e rs is c all e d Re cogn iz ed l e ad ers from

.

outs id e commu n iti es may al s o b e cons ulte d T his coun cil .

(sa la ng bawng) is t h e K achin high es t court o f jus ti ce an d ,

d ec i s io ns the re re ach e d are fin al .

R eligi ous O fl ic la ls T h e me n atte n din g to t h e re ligiou s

.

s id e o f t h e commu nity m ay or m ay n o t be dire ctly co n c e rn e d

with it s ci vil affairs T h e y are ordin arily me n o f gr e at

.

i nflu e n ce an d l e ade rs hip T h e pri es t mu s t be cons ulte d in

.

e v e ry u n d e rt aki n g o f an y import an c e an d often h e s e rv es ,

as an e ld e r. S ti ll th e ir work mu s t b e vi e we d from
,

t h e re li gious s id e an d prope rly be lo n gs to t h e ch apt e r o n

re ligion an d wors hip (Comp Ch ap XIII ; p ar a Pries thood)
. . . . .

P roperty . All t h e l and withi n t h e circl e of th e chief

n omi n ally be lo n g s to him N o out s id e r c an s e ttl e down
.

in h is vill age o r obt ai n l an d without his pe rmi ss io n All .

hi ghl and fi e ld s are allotted by him and pe rs o n al own e rs hip

is re cogni z e d o n ly as lo n g as th ey are culti v ate d Wh en .

l eft or allowed to grow up ag ain in to j un gl e the y again

, ,

be come c ommon prope rty s ubj e ct to t h e will o f t h e chi ef .

Thi s is almo s t id e al s oci ali s m Lowl an d field s re quiri n g

.
,

more l abor an d care b e lo n g howe ve r to t h e family th at

, , ,

firs t ope n ed and cul ti vate d them Th ey are h and ed down .

 GOVERNMENT AND LA W
. 65

from fath er t o so n But th ey c ann ot be s old without

.

t h e co n se n t o f t h e chi e f n o r c an th ey b e bo ught and,

be come t h e prope rty o f a man livi n g in an oth e r commu nity .

All t h e jungle s urroundin g t h e vill age is common property .

Anyone c an t ake all t he wood an d timb er h e nee ds Bam .

b oo pl an te d and fen ced in as we ll as fruit trees are re g ard ed

, ,

as pe rs on al prope rty S till th e re is n othin g wro n g if p ass ers

.

by h el p th e mse l ves Thing s grown withi n a g arden mu s t

.

be res pe cted but t h e rul es are n o t n early as s tri ct as in

,

highe r forms of civili z ati on Th e chie f c an allot l an d .

to h is s ubj ect s but h e c ann ot re fu se anyone a fie ld or a

,

g ard e n H e c ann ot ac t arbitr arily in thes e m atte rs,as h e

.

is lik e ly to be ce ns ure d by t h e whol e commu n ity and ,

t h e in jur ed p arty ma y d e cl ar e a gri e van ce res ulti ng in a

”

fe ud and an app e al t o arm s .

Law. Cus tom an d pre ced e nt as h an d ed down by tr adition

and in t e rpr e t ed by t h e chi e f an d v il l age cou n cil compri se s

t h e re cogn i ze d law Ea ch c ase is d ecid e d o n it s o wn me rits

.
,

but the re are r e cogn i ze d rul es to follow an d a ge n er ally ,

acce pte d s c al e of pu n i s hm e n t s or comp en s atio n T h e o ld .

M o s aic cod e o f a tooth for a tooth an d an e ye for an

e y e do es not s ati s fy t h e K achin se nse o f justice H e .

d e man d s at l e as t doubl e for t h e h arm do ne and in mo s t ,

c ases fi ve tee th for o ne T h e gener al t en d en cy is to s qu ee ze

.

o ut o f t h e offe ndi n g p arty all th at is poss ibl e If t h e .

accu se d is s ati s fi ed o r re g ard s it u se l ess to res i s t t h e t e rm s

, ,

impo se d are accepte d and pe ace is d e cl are d But if h e and .

hi s p arty which u s u ally m e an s his f amily flee l s tron g

, ,

en ough to r e fu se th e re is lik e ly to b e a s t an din g gri e v an ce

, ,

”
o r as it is e xpress ed a d e bt which may l e ad to a fe ud It
, , .

is in t h e se ttle m e n t o f th es e d e bt s th at t h e l e g al
i n ge n uity is e xe rcised and from which a K achin ge ts,

more e xcite me n t and enjoym en t th an from an ythi n g e l se .

T h e ordin ary c ases th at com e up for se ttl e m en t are

Theft ( ldgu hka)
,
It is cus tom ary t o fine a thi e f double
.

t h e v alu e o f t h e good s s tol e n If h e h as ro bbe d a chi ef .

h e may be fin ed five fold Anyone ass i s tin g a thief givin g

-
. ,

5
66 THE KACH INS .

food an d s h e lte r o r co nce ali n g s tole n good s h as al s o a d ebt

(s ha t ja w h ka) to p ay In addition to t h e re gul ar fine c attl e
.
,

o r hogs for s acrifici n g to t h e offe n d e d s pirit s mu s t b e p aid .

If t h e o ffe nd e r is poor and h as n othi n g to p ay h e may be ,

e xp e ll e d from t h e vill ag e s old as a s l ave or e ven kill ed

, ,
.

F al se ch arge s for t h e s ak e of e xtortion are tre at e d ve ry

much as th eft and thi s d e bt ( jci wat hka) may l e ad
‘

, ,

to s eriou s troubl e A K achi n is ve ry s en s iti ve and anythin g

.

like an i ns ult a fal s e ch arge or i ns in u atio n is d eeply rese nt

, ,

ed an d may e as ily l e ad to a prolo n g e d qu arr e l e ndi n g in

,

blood s h e d .

A Lo an ( h ko z s h op h ka) This is a ve ry ge ne ral an d

'

, .

h e nce n o t a s e rious offe n ce but d ecid edly di fficult in s e ttli n g

, .

A K achin borrowi ng mone y or grain ne ver thi n ks of t h e day

o f p aym e n t H e re g ard s it rath e r as a gift th an as a lo an
. .

H e h at e s more th an anythi ng e l se to p ay t axes a fi n e o r a ,

d e bt an d lo ve s abo ve e ve rything e l s e to ge t s om e thin g for

,

n ot h i n g
. T o coll e ct an old d e bt is an art th at o n ly a
fe w u nd ers t an d It t ak e s an immen se amoun t of t alking
.
,

an d i n cid e n t ally a gre at d e al of tim e food an d liquor is ,

co ns ume d But time is n othi ng to o ur fri e nd and if h e

.
,

c an ge t h is bo ard whil e t alki n g a w e e k o r two about a t wo

rup ee d ebt h e fe el s s ati s fi e d e ven if h e do es n o t s uccee d

,

in coll e cti n g t h e amou n t H e c an com e agai n t h e ne xt y e ar

.

and go through t h e s am e pe rform an ce T h e d e btor is .

e qu ally s ati s fi e d if th e re is an oth e r d e l ay furn is hi ng o ne ,

more ch an ce n o t to p ay at all .

A du ltery (num s h o w)
, T his is a s e riou s but n o t ve ry
.
,

common offe n ce T h e man is always h eld guilty and

.
,

u n d e r t h e an ces tral law w as kill ed u n l e s s h e w as abl e to ,

p ay a ve ry h e avy fi n e N ow ad ays a fi ne h alf th at in

.
,
l
c ase of murd e r is e x acted It is n o u se for t h e m an t o
, .

pl e ad th at t h e wom an m ad e t h e firs t advan ces or w as a

“
willi ng p arty T h e . e ld e rs will s um up t h e c as e in
accord an c e with t h e w e ll kn own pro ve rb If a S h an is ,

at f ault h e mu s t die ; in a di s pute with a K achi n h e mu s t

die ; if h e av en is at f ault t h e e a rth is dren ch e d if t h e e arth ,

 GOVERNMENT AND L AW . 67

is at fault it d ese rves to be dre n ch ed Thi s m e ans th at .

in any c ase t h e man mu s t p ay t h e p en alty Rap e o n an .

;

un m arri ed wom an would be se ttl e d by a fi ne ; o n a m arri e d

wom an d eath s l ave ry or a ve ry he avy fine u s e d to be

,

t h e pu n i s hm e n t Wh e n a fine w as s ufli c ient a bullock

.
, ,

a go n g ,a s word an d almo s t anythi n g e l s e th at could b e

,

e x act ed would b e d e m an d e d
, N ow ad ays c ase s Of thi s ki n d .

u s u ally come b efore t h e Briti s h court within admini s te red

te rritory .

I llegz tz ma te ch ildren (s umaraz h ka)

' '

A fine is always im
,
’

po s ed O n t h e fathe r o f a child born o ut o f we dlock v aryi ng ,

a ccordi n g t o t h e ability o f t h e f amily to p ay It is no t .

a s e riou s m att e r and o n accou nt of t h e gr e at fre edom

,

allowe d t h e you n g p e opl e offe n c es o f thi s ki n d are e xtre m e ly

common Th e girl s f amily are to s om e e xten t di s gr aced

.
’
,

an d it m ean s to th e m a fi n an ci al lo ss
’

as an n gy z k dnu ,
-

(t h e moth e r Of a b as t ard ) h as n o t t h e s am e ch an ce in
m arri age as o ne with a more re s p e ct abl e re cord T h e .

birth o f t h e child t ak e s pl ace in t h e hom e Of t h e man ,

but h e mu s t app e as e t h e s pirits o f t h e offen de d family In

“

s om e loc aliti e s a s pe ci al fi n e is e x acte d if t h e girl di es in

co nfine m en t but thi s is n o t an ordin ary cu s tom Th e u s u al

, .

articl e s ,
c attl e s word s go ngs fowl s e t c are Offe re d in
, , , ,

compe n s atio n T h e man is un d e r n o Oblig ation to m arry

.

t h e girl an d g e n e rally do es n o t
, A s lo n g as h e h as p aid t h e .

fi ne n othi n g more is thou ght o f it .

Blood money (ba ngla t h ka)

-
, Blood mo ne y is d e m and ed in.
-

c as e of murd e r (sz bunglat) wh en an e mployee is hurt

'

(hk dla ba ngla t) or kill e d (lds a bu ngla t) an d in s om e , ,

loc alities wh e n an u nm arrie d wom an d ies in co nfine men t

,

gi v i n g birth to an ill e gitim ate child (nda ug ba ngla t) .

M urd e r is t h e mo s t s e riou s o f all Offe n ces an d t h e an ces tral

law w as u s u ally a life for a life Gradu ally cu s tom h as .

e s t abli s h e d a more pr actic al w ay an d if t h e Offe n d e r w as ,

abl e and willi n g to p ay t h e c ase could b e s e ttl e d without ,

furth er blood s h ed But t h e de m an d s we re always he avy

.

a n d Often far beyo n d t h e m eans of t h e murd e r e r an d h is

68 THE KACH INS .

family There might be re qu es t e d cowries o r s m all s il ve r

.
,

orn ame n ts fo r e ach o f t h e t ee th and n ails Of t h e murd ere d

p e rs o n ; s word s o r s p e ars fo r t h e fin ge rs ; gun s fo r t h e arm s ;
s l aves o r beas ts o f burd e n for t h e l e gs ; e xpe n s i v e go n gs for

t h e h e ad ; j ars o r pots fo r t h e abdom en ; be s id es cattl e for

sacrifici n g to t h e f at e s and mo ne y to all p articul arly

conce rned S uch a fine would amoun t t o Rs 300 o r more

. .
,

an d mo s t fam ili es we re n e ve r abl e to p ay e ve n if th e y

promise d to do s o H e n ce th e re would ari se a blood fe ud

.
-

carri e d o n gene ration afte r gene ration u n til ve nge an ce was

sa tis fi e d . But t h e gre ates t n umbe r o f feud s origi n ated with
t h e offe n di n g p arty re fu s in g t o co n s id e r t e rm s o f s e ttl e m e n t .

In th at case it b ec am e a m atte r o f ho n or for t h e aggri e ve d

family t o e xecute ve ngan ce an d wip e o ut t h e dis grace and
,

dis hon or t o t h e family n am e .

Wh e n a man h as bee n hurt o r kille d whil e workin g

fo r an oth e r t h e e mploye r s li ability is recog n i ze d A fi ne
’
.
,

will b e fixe d accordi ng t o t h e n ature o f t h e c ase If kill ed .

,

say wh e n cl e arin g j un gl e or at hou se buildi n g t h e t e rm s are

, ,

d e ci de d by t h e Vill age coun cil It is n eve r re gard ed as .

murd e r o r culp abl e homicid e but s imply as an accid en t , ,

an d t h e fi n e is light If a man h as b ee n kill e d wh en o n

.

a tr adi ng e xp editio n for an oth e r t h e e mploye r is li abl e to a

,

fin e o r h e mu s t fi nd and pu n i s h t h e murd ere r f u m i n g o ve r

, ,

t h e amou n t r ec e i ve d to t h e d e ce as e d m an s fa mily If h e is ’
.

u n abl e t o do e ithe r Of these t hings h e may authori ze t h e ,

re l atives to e xe cute ve nge ance at h is e xpe nse If an .

e mployee di es a n atural d e ath t h e e mploye r p ays o nly

,

a bullock for t h e fu n e r al ( jdhpu nga) a go ng fo r t h e d e ath ,

d an ce (kdbung baa) and a s k irt o r a pie ce o f cloth for

,

t h e fin al c e re mo n i es ( mdjzp nba)
'

D esertzon a nd E lopement If a man puts away h is wife

'

h e forfe its all h e p aid for h e r as a brid e and in additio n ,

mu s t p ay t h e di s grace d family a s l ave a b uffalo a gong , ,

an d a s wo rd o r a fix e d s um o f mo ne y
, If a wif e without .
,

good c ause ru ns away and re turns hom e h er p arents mus t

, ,

se n d h er b ack t o h er hus b an d If th ey allow h er t o re main

.
 GOVERNMENT AND L AW . 69

th ey mu s t re turn t h e price p aid for h e r with int e res t o r ,

a s i s te r mu s t t ake h e r pl ac e If t h e p arent s do the ir utmos t

.

to s en d h er b ack but s h e re fu s es for s ome good and

,

ackn owl edg ed r e as o n s uch as cru e lty or ne gl e ct th ere is n o

, ,
”
bl ame o n t h e p are n ts an d the y do n o t re fun d t h e price .

Elop ement of u nm arri e d p e opl e is ve ry common and ,

c om es u n d e r t h e g e n e r al rul es re l ated to m arri ag e cu s tom s ;

(See Ch ap IV ) Thi s is n o t a se riou s m atter and is se ttl e d

. .

without much di ffi culty E lop e me n t with a m arri ed wom an

.

i s re g ard ed as adulte ry an d is treat ed accordingly .

I nheritance . T h e you ng es t s o n (mm o f a chi e f hpung , ,

dim o f a commo ne r) re m ai n s in t h e o ld home and follows

,

in t h e s uccess ion o f hi s fath e r Th e Old e r s on s re ce ive a

.

s h ar e e ach o f all porta bl e prop e rty and c an re m ain in

,

t h e v ill ag e o r move aw ay as th e y lik e , If t h e hus b an d .

di es l e avi n g grown children t h e widow may go and live

,

with o ne o f h e r s o ns o r el s e sh e is tak en ove r by o ne o f

h e r hu s b an d s broth ers who th en b e com es re s p o ns ibl e for
’
,

t h e f amily . In h erit an ce n e ve r goes to t h e fe m ale s id e o f t h e

f amily All dis putes in re gard to i nh e rit an ce are tak e n up
.

a n d adjudic at e d by t h e vill age cou n cil .

General remarks A s a rul e t h e d e ci s ions o f t h e chi ef an d

.
‘

hi s advi se rs are ju s t an d e quit abl e Bribe ry is n e xt to

.

i mpo ss ibl e e xc e pt in c ases wh e re a chi e f pl e ad e r o r , ,

e ld e r is all powerful ; but in t h e average community

all are o n an almo s t e qu al s t an d n g an d to brib e a whol e
i ,

coun cil could no t be don e without d e tection More ove r t h e .

,

p arti es co n ce rn e d n ee d n o t abid e by t h e ve rdict if th e y

c o n s id e r it u nju s t. They c an always app e al t o t h e public ,

and if th ey c an se cure a followi n g th e y c an force a

r e co n s id e r atio n of t h e whol e c as e T hi s is Oft en do n e
. .

But in t h e l as t an alys is t h e o n ly re cogn ized right is might .

If t h e defe nden t and h is p arty co n s id e r th em s e l ves s tro ng

“ ”
e n ou gh to fi ght it o ut th e y will do so and it be com es
,

a qu es tio n o f who c an hold o ut t h e lo n g e s t Thu s in .

t h e gloriou s d ays o f O ld which a K achi n like mo s t oth e r

, ,

p eople re g ard s as t h e gold e n age th e re w as Often w ar to t h e

, ,
70 THE KACH INS .

k n ife and t h e kn ife to t h e hilt Fe ud s i nn umerabl e are

.

s till o n t h e li s t
, an d if t h e Briti s h powe r p ermitte d th e r e

would b e t h e s am e ki n d of fi ghti ng within a v e ry s hort tim e .

N O case of import an c e is e ve r s e ttl e d without a s acrific e .

T h e co n t e n di n g p arti es e at an d dri n k to ge th e r dip th e ir

,

s word s in t h e blood an d t ak e an o ath th at th e re is e t e rn al

,

p e ace be twee n th e m T h e lo s in g s id e always p ays for t h e

.

fe as t an d th e re is a s p e ci al bull ock s acrificed by t h e winnin g

,

s ide ( p dda rzg nga) to ann ou n c e t h e joyou s f act th at th e y

,

h ave b een victoriou s .

de nt al?
 CHAPT ER VII .

I N D U S T RI E S .

K a chi n i n du s tri e s are extr e m ely fe w and o f a mo s t

primitive ch aracte r T h e whol e popul atio n from t h e chi e f
.
,

down are practic ally till ers O f t h e s oil and e ve n in thi s th e y

, ,

s how n o p articul ar s kill an d th e ir impl e m en t s are t h e mo s t

,

crud e an d s impl e T h e fi e ld s are ge n e rally s m all and

.
,

mo s t of t h e work is do n e by t h e wom e n Fe w r ai se .

e n ough gr ai n to k e e p th e m s uppli e d for t h e W hol e y e ar .

S lavery Form e rly s l ave ry w as ve ry commo n an d t h e

.
,

chie fs and t h e we ll to do h ad n um erou s s l ave s who did

- -

mos t of th e ir work But t h e s l ave m ark e t h as b een close d

.

within admin i s tere d te rritory an d s l ave l abor th ere b e lo ngs

,

”
to t h e p as t Pri s one rs of w ar witch e s imp e cu n iou s and
.
, ,

u nd es irabl e i n dividu al s an d famili es would b e s old or ,

di s po s e d of as s l ave s S h an s Burm ans and Chi n am e n

.
,

would b e fou nd amo ng th e ir n umb e r Tod ay it is o n ly .

in t h e H uko ng vall ey and amo n g t h e K achi n s in Chi n es e

,

t e rritory th at s l avery is practice d o n an e xten s ive s c al e In .

t h e H uko n g may s till b e se e n r e pres en t ative s o f t h e r ac e s

ju s t m en tio ned and al s o a fe w from t h e Ass ames e t e a
,

g ard ens kidn app ed by N agas and Chi ns and s old to t h e

,

we althy s l ave owne rs in t h e rich vall ey In th at dis trict .

th ere see ms to be n o p articul ar dis gr ace in be i n g a s l ave ,

an d n o atte mpt is m ad e to co n c e al t h e f act But in oth e r .

p arts O f K ac hinlan d e ve ry o n e re sen ts be i n g c all ed a s l ave .

O rdin arily t h e bo n dm e n w e re we ll tre ated ; in f act th e y

were re gard e d and looke d upon th em s e l ves as a p art O f t h e
, ,

f amily A m al e s l ave could m arry a fre e wom an but

.
,

t h e childre n be c am e s l aves T h e own e r could se ll o r give

.

th e m away but the y were se ldom dis pose d o f e xcept wh en

,

e xch an ge d in co n n e ctio n with a m arri age T h e price p aid .

for a bride includ e d a s l ave and h er p arents g ave o ne as ,

72 TH E KACH INS .

a p art o f t h e dowry Refractory s l aves would be beaten

.
,

put in s tocks o r as a l as t re s ort s old T h e wors t would

, , .

be s old to t h e Chin s wh o s om e tim es bought th e m for

th e ir ann u al s acrifice s Th e mos t e ffective threat to an
.

u nruly s l ave w as this DO you wi s h to go to C hinland ,

? ”

which impli ed th at un l ess h e be h aved h e might becom e

A s l ave could always
'

a sacrific e to t h e Chi n divi n iti es .

be re d ee m e d A u s u al m e thod wh en pri s o n e rs o f w ar h ad
'

be en en s l aved w as fo r re l atives o r fri end s to capture s om e

'

from t h e own er s s id e and thu s force an e xch an ge It

’ ‘

wil l n o t be long be fore s l avery will be e xtinct in all p art s o f

K a c hi nl and .

A gri cu lture Farming in t h e hills co ns is ts m ainly in

.

t h e w as te ful an d d es truc t i ve fores t d en udi ng process o f

j ungl e cl earin g A pi ece Of j u ngle is se l ected and all t h e
.

vege tatio n o n t h e s am e is cut down in Fe bru ary and March ,

and is all ow e d t o dry to t h e e n d Of A pril o r middl e p art

'

o f May . Then th ere is a tre mendous bl aze o n t h e hill s id e -

an d o nly t h e bl ack s tump s an d a fe w big tr ees re m ain

*

Th e as h es fe rtilize t h e grou n d an d a good c rO p is ge n e rally

se cur e d t h e fir s t y e ar Less is expe cte d t h e s e co n d y ear
'

. ,

an d it is s e ldo m th at a fi e ld i s cul tiv ate d three se as o ns

in s u c c es s io n Afte r t h e second crop h as been h arves te d

.

t h e j un gl e is allow e d t o gro w up agai n an d n o cl eari n g

'

is att e mpte d fo r s eve n Or e ight ye ars But e ve n with s o .

lo n g a period Of res t t h e l and gets impo ve ri s he d an d t h e

'
:

ju ngl e growth beco mes l es s rapid Afte r a p e riod o f rot ation .

o f thi s ki n d n othi n g will grow but th atch ; an d t h e ju n gl e

“

fires s wee pin g o Ver year by year will d e s troy all oth e r pl an ts
and s tru g gling ve ge tatio n O n s uch l an d rice culti vatio n .

is impo ss ibl e A ce rt ain amoun t o f pr airi e cultivation

.
‘

( hk a i ba ng ) i s a tt e mp ted a lo n g t h e foothill s but it is a v e ry ,

un ce rtain crop and is Ofte n a f ailure Large tr acts of fore st

"

'

l an d h ave unfo rtu n atel y alre ady bee n d en ud ed and it is o n ly

, , ,

a qu e s tio n O f time wh e n t h e whol e hill cou n try will be

-

b are u nl es s t h e Go ve rn me n t i n te rfe re s Be fore s owi ng t h e

,
.
,

l and is work ed in a crud e w ay wit h h oes but n othing like '

,
 INDUSTR IES . 73

p lowi n g i s att e mpt e d T h e s owi n g is do n e in t h e mo s t

.

p rimitive w ay T h e s owe r s cratch es t h e groun d with a

.

d ibble whil e h e drops in t h e grai n as h e w alk s alo ng .

T h e w ee din g o f t h e fie ld s occupi e s mo s t o f th e r ain y se as o n

a n d is mo s tly do ne by wom en an d ch ildre n H arves t com es .

toward s t h e en d of O ctobe r thres hin g in N ove mbe r and t h e , ,

c arryin g hom e of t h e p addy i s u s u ally fi n i s h e d about t h e

middl e o f De ce mber T hres hi n g is done by t h e m e thod s

.

e mployed in E gypt and Pal es tin e in t h e d ays o f A br ah am .

Th e thres hin g floor is in t h e Op en b affalo es tramp o ut ,

t h e gr ain and t h e winn owin g is by t h e h an d s hove l Th e -

.

s traw is accou n te d Of n o v alu e and is burn ed I n high .

l an d ( yi) cultivatio n h ardly any ri ce is rais ed for t h e

,

m arket In f act th ere is se ldom e n ough for home c o ns ump

.
,

tion Durin g eve ry rainy s eas o n m any s ubs is t o n Indi an

.
’

corn mille t and wh ate ver th ey c an pick in t h e j un gl e

, , .

Lowl an d (khauh a) cultivation followi n g t h e m ethods o f , .

S h ans and Chi nese is practi c e d m ain ly by th e popul atio n

,

in h abitin g t h e H ukong vall e y t h e N orthe rn S h an S t ates and ,

t h e G auri hill s Tho se who po ss ess a ce rt ai n amoun t o f

.

valley cultivation are u s u ally well Off There is s till a great .

(
d e al o f l an d th at c an be thu s cultivated an d by s c arpin g t h e ,

hills ides i n to terr aces utilizin g t h e n ume rou s moun t ai n,

s tre am s t h e re would be a gr e at additio n o f ve ry productive

,

p addy l an d T hi s form O f culti vatio n O ught from an ec o no

-
.

mic poin t o f ve w to be es pe ci ally e n cour aged by t h e Gove rn

m en t I n s ome p arts o f t h e hill s l and form e rly thu s
.
,

c ulti vat e d h as bee n allowe d to grow up aga i n i n to ju n gl e ,

o n t h e pl ea th at th e y h ave n o b uff alo es with which t o

work t h e fie ld s C attl e di se ase and above all n umerou s

.

s acrifices to t h e s pirit s are re s po ns ibl e for thi s s t ate o f

things It would be a bl e ss i ng to t h e pe opl e if t h e Go vern

.

m en t we re to prohibit all s acrifici ng of c attl e e ve n if it ,

s hould i n t e rfe re with th e ir r e ligiou s lib e rti es The y would

‘

be be tt e r fed o n accou n t of it .

In additio n to r ai s in g p addy mo s t Vill age rs pl an t s om e ,

m aize m ill e t tob acco be an s and sessamum Pumpki n s

, , , .
74 THE KACH INS .

an d cucumbe rs are grown with t h e m aiz e In s m all g ard ens .

th ey grow mu s t ard l e aves y am s and othe r ki n d s O f vege

,

t abl es for t h e curry In s ome loc alities cotto n i ndigo t e a

.
, ,

and s u gar c an e -
are culti v at ed o n a s m all s c al e S ome .

pot ato e s are r ai s ed u s u ally of a poor qu ality But th es e

, .

thing s are co n s id e re d s id e i s s u e s to fall b ack upo n wh en t h e

,

rice crop h as b ee n a failure .

O pi um. It is o n ly quite re c en tly th at poppy cultivatio n

h as fou n d it s w ay from Chin a i nto K ac hinland In t h e .

e arly e xp e rim e n t with t h e pl an t it w as co n fi n e d to s m all

e n clo s ures n e ar t h e hou ses D urin g re ce nt ye ars l arge

. .

tr acts of l an d h ave b ee n put u nd e r cultivation and this is ,

s ti ll on t h e i n cre as e I n N orth H s e n wi an d i n oth e r

.

loc aliti es alon g t h e Chin es e fron ti e r t h e K achi n s aim to

s upply t h e Ch in es e m ark e t in w es t e rn Y u n n an as t h e pl an t ,

h as b ee n prohibit ed in Chi n a T h e u s e of Opium both for

.

s moki n g an d e ati n g is al armi n gly o n t h e i n cr e ase to t h e ,

d e trime nt o f e verythin g e l se E ve n t h e rice fi eld s are be ing

.

n e gl ecte d , as Opium bri n gs in r e ady c as h which ag ai n is ,

s qu an d e re d o n t h e drug and in oth e r ways Th ere c an be .

n o doubt th at t h e opi um h abit h as a gre at d e al to do with

t h e i n cre as i n g po ve rty an d mor al an d phy s ic al d e t e rioratio n

o f t h e K achin s T h e worki n g of t h e poppy fi eld is c arri e d
.

o n i n Chi nes e f as hio n T h e grou n d is c ar e fully worked

. .

Whe n t h e poppy h e ad re ach es a ce rt ai n s ize a s lit is m ad e

i nto it with a thi n bl ad e an d t h e e xudin g s ap whe n dri ed is , ,

g ath e red o n a m e t al s crap e r Th e raw product is s old .

to t h e C hi n ese o r kept for hom e co n s umpti on Many .

K achin s s moke t h e drug mixed with s hredded and dri ed

pl an t ai n l e aves T h e Opium is liq
. uified o n a s m al l C opp e r

dis h and t h e l eaves are s atur ated with t h e drug The n

,
.

it is s moked in an ordi n ary pip e a s m all pi nch at a time , .

But thi s w ay o f i ndulgi n g is ge tti n g too t am e for mos t

co ns um e rs Th ey prefe r t h e Chines e m ethod and t h e
. ,

e ati n g o f t h e drug is o n t h e i n cre ase I n s om e n orth e rn .

se ctio n s bo t h me n an d wom e n s mok e but g en e r ally t h e ,

women are no t s ub je ct t o t h e h abit .

 INDUSTR IES . 75

Trading . A K achi n trad e r lik e a S h an or a

is no t a

Chin am an N atur al i ncli n ation dis tru s t and illite racy

. ,

s t an d in h is w ay E ve n in loc aliti es wh ere the y are re gul ar

.

Vi s itors to t h e S h an b az aars the y will atte mpt h ardly ,

an ythi n g more th an t h e m aki n g Of a fe w an n as by s e lli n g

g ard e n s tuff n ative bee r an d s om e Opium T he y c an h ardly

,
.

e v e r bri n g fowl s or pig s to t h e m ark e t as th e y mu s t b e k e pt ,

for s acrifici al purpo s es A few will e ng age in car av an

.

tr adi n g t h e s tock in trad e b e i n g s alt dri e d fi s h an d t e a

, ,

which th ey buy from t h e Pal au ngs O f t h e co nse rv ation O f .

n atur al r es ourc es th e y h ave n o id e a R ubb e r lac an d .

,

orchid s u s ed to b e i ndi gen ou s to almo s t e ve ry p art of

t h e cou n try But t h e rubbe r trad e e ve n in t h e H ukon g
.
, ,

will s oon be at an en d b e c au se of t h e r eckl e s s w ay of

t appin g t h e trees In a s imil ar w ay t h e m arke t abl e orchid s
.

h ave al s o be en e xte rmi n ate d an d are tod ay fou n d mo s tly ,

acro ss t h e Chin es e fro n ti e r E ach m an thin ks th at h e.

b e tte r ge t out O f it all h e c an ; if h e do e s n o t s om e o ne ,

e l se will Th e re is n o thought of tomorrow A s a trad e r

. .

o ur fri e n d is a f ailure H e c ann ot comp e te with S h an s and

.

Burm an s an d if h e m akes a ve n ture h e is like ly to lo se

,

h is c apit al H e co ns e qu e n tly fi n d s it s af e r to s hu n s p e cul a

.

tion and hi gh fi n an ce and co n ce al h is s il ve r in s ome

,

s afe p l ac e in t h e ju n gl e or u n d e r t h e hou s e Any oth e r

‘

b an k h e is n o t i n clin e d to tru s t .

M in ing Gold s il ve r copp e r iro n l e ad amb e r j ad e an d

.
, , , , , ,

m arbl e are foun d withi n K achin t erritory T h e famou s

, .

ambe r mi n es in t h e H uko n g di s trict are ow n ed by K achi n

chi efs but mos t of t h e work is do ne by ad venture rs from

,

As s am and Chin a T h e amber is O f good qu ality and was

.
,

form e rly fou nd in l arge qu an titi es ; but t h e output is

growing l ess ye ar by ye ar Th e rich an d by t h e Chin es e s o
.
,

highly v alued j ad e mines n orth eas t o f K am ain g al s o

,
-
,

be lon g t o K achi n chi e fs All t h e h eavy and d an gerou s .

work in e xtractin g t h e s to ne from t h e d e ep hot mine s ,

is do ne by K achi n cooli es ; but t h e tr ad e is co n troll e d by

Chi nese and B urm ese s pec ul ators Th e popul ation O f t h e .
 76 TH E KACH INS .

di s trict does no t p articul arly profit from t h e we alth Of

the ir co un try an d s ee m t o be more th an ordinarily ign orant
,

an d s upe rs titiou s .

S om e gold w as hi ng is do ne n orth o f Myitky i n a in t h e

-
,

H uko n g v all e y an d in t h e N orth e rn S h an S tates

, Gold .

b e ari ng s tr e am s are fou n d n early e ve rywhe re Th e gold is .

O f good qu ality but co mes i n s m all qu an titi es N orth Of t h e

'

.
,

co n flu en c e the re mu s t be a con s id erabl e s upply o f gold ,

j ud g i n g from t h e amou n t dr e dg e d an d w a s h e d in t h e

Irraw addy T h e s tory is th at t h e n atives are afraid Of

.

arou sin g t h e gold thirs t of t h e whit e man an d thu s co n c e al ,

t h e pl ac e an d bri n g o n ly a mod e r at e amoun t t o t h e m ark e t .

S ilve r copp e r and l e ad are fou nd in v ariou s loc aliti es

, ,

b u t t h e pits o r mi n es are n o t work ed T h e Chin ese .

- worked in m any pl aces whe re th ere is no w n ot h in g b ut

an d
'

d e ns e jungl e T h e K achi n s h ave n o id ea o f h o w to m e lt

.

an d work t h e o re an d t h e mi n e r al r es ourc es which are

’

, ,

n o doubt c o n s id e rabl e re m ai n t o be de v e lope d , .

Blacksmith ing Although e ve ry hill man c arri es a s word

.
-

(t he Burm an dah ) and s tan ds in n ee d Of a h oe and dibbl e

‘

, ,

if n o t a plough s h ar e for h is ric e cultiv atio n a K achi n

'
-
, ,

bl acks mith is a n ove lty All his h ardware com es from t h e .

Chinese o r S h an s e xce pt th at s om e o f t h e H k ah k us m ak e
, ,

wh at may b e c all e d t h e ge nui ne Kachin bl ad es T h es e , .

are about e ight ee n i n ch es lo n g bro ad e n i n g from t h e h an dl e ,

o utw ard The y are n ever poi nte d as is t h e S h an dah

.
, .

The re are at l e as t four v ari e ti es O f which o ne with cl ear , ,

w avy s tr eaks o f s tee l ru nn in g down t h e bl ad e is th e ,

mo s t valu able and appreci ated This s word w as carri ed .

es pe cially by chi ef s and pe rs o ns o f impo rt an c e They

'

are n o w h ardly e ve r see n s outh of Myitkyi n a and Mog au n g ,

whil e only a fe w years ago th e y w e re n o t un common s outh

o f Bh amo Th e S h an product is ch e ape r if n o t s o durabl e
.
'

, ,
.

.
and t h e H k ahk us do n o t com e s outh as th e y form e rly ,

did t o di s po se o f th e ir w are s
, .

H unting a nd fis hing O ur hill man is n o t a s po rts m an .

-
.
 ‘

INDUSTR IES . 77

H e is no t thu s i as tic hu nte r ; but with a good gun

an e n

in his h an d s h e will s oo n fin d t h e s port i n te res ti n g D uring .

t h e c ool seas o n d eer hun ti n g is e n g age d in all t h e me n

,
-
,

Of t h e commun ity turn i n g o ut to drive t h e g am e from

it s s h e lte r in to s om e ope n pl ac e wh e re it is s hot o r s p ear e d
Th i s is do ne for t h e s ake Of food and all th at have h ad ,

a p art in t h e ch ase r ec e ive a s h ar e Trapping and s nari n g .

are al s o kn o wn an d pitfall s are dug for l arg e g am e Trap s .

an d s n ar es are se t mos tly for bird s an d birdlim e is al s o ,

u se d Tigers an d oth e r l arge g ame are r are ly hu nte d

.

unl ess it is a qu es tio n o f turni ng o ut afte r a man e ate r -

o r rogu e e l e ph an t Very fe w good gu n s a re fou nd in

.

admin is t re d t e rrito ry an d t h e s t alki n g Of d an g e rou s g am e is

,
.

left wi se ly alo ne Th e ir s word s s pe ars bows an d arrows

.
, ,

are n o t look e d upo n with t h e s am e co n fid e n c e as wh e n th e y

kn e w o f n o oth e r we apo n s Mo s t of t h e gu ns are on ly .

Old flint locks worn o ut and u n ce rt ain ; and tho s e fire d with
-
,

pe rcuss ion c ap s are o n ly a s h ad e be tte r N o w and th e n .

a good gun is s ee n an d s om e o f t h e chi e fs h ave bree ch

,

lo ad e rs given th e m as pres e n ts from t h e Gove rnm ent ;

but they fi nd it difli c ult and e xp en s ive to procure ammuni ~

tion and t h e guns ru s t away in s om e corne r O f t h e hou se

,
.

N atur ally t h e K achi ns kn ow littl e about fi s hin g In .

t h e d ee p pool s Of t h e s wift mou n t ai n s tream s fis h are alw ay s

pl en tiful but th ey h ave n o mean s o f c atchin g th e m T he
, .

we igh t ed h an d n et u se d by t h e Burm an s in s h allow w ater is

-
, ,

u n s uite d for moun tain s tre am s and any oth e r ki n d o f ,

n et th e y do n o t kn ow Fi s hin g b as ke ts are u s ed to s om e
.

e xt en t an d a poi so n ou s cre e pe r which th e y pou n d i n to pulp

'

, , ,

is e mploye d in s m all e r s tr e am s Pouri n g t h e li q uid pul p .

in to t h e s tre am t h e fis h are s t upefied and come to t h e s urface .

But t h e ordin ary w ay Of fis hin g in s m all s tre ams is to dive rt

a p art o f t h e ch ann e l l e avi n g t h e b ed dry Wh at eve r is .

s tr an d e d o n t h e pe bbl es o r is fi s h ed o ut o f t h e mud
, ,

go es i n to t h e b as ke t It is mo s tly cr abs s n ail s mudfis h

.
, ,

Of v arious kind s (ee l in p articul ar) and s m all s tone s uck e rs ,

-

th at mak e up t h e c atch .
78 THE KACH INS .

Wea ving T h e K achi n wome n are s kill ed in w e avi n g and

.

e mbroid e ry ; but th e ir m e thod s an d impl e m e n ts are mo s t

p ri mat ive T he y go throu gh all t h e processe s from s pi nn in g

.

t h e cotto n with a h an d s pi n dl e to turn i n g out t h e fi n i s h e d

articl e Th e y kn ow how to we ave a n umb er Of p atte rn s
.
,

s om e o f th e m v e ry e ffe cti ve all of th e m e xhibiti n g both

,

s kill
, t as te and p atie n ce A we avi n g fram e s uch as t h e
.
,

Burm an and S h an women u se is u nkn own T h e w arp is , .

h eld tight by m e an s Of two b ars ; t h e b ack b ar is h e ld

in pl ac e by p e g s dri ve n i n to t h e groun d an d to t h e fro n t o ne ,

is att ach ed a bro ad l eath e r b e lt which p as s es arou n d t h e

w eave r s b ack T h e op e rator s its o n t h e grou nd o r o n a
’
.

pi ec e of bo ard h er fee t br aced again s t a s tout pie ce o f

,

wood or b amboo Ins te ad of worki n g t h e he ddl e s with h e r

.

fee t s h e lifts th e m up with h er h an d s as s h e se n d s t h e

, ,

s huttl e b ack an d forth It is a s low tires ome proce s s

.
, ,

an d w ee k s will b e r e quir e d for t h e fi n i s hi n g o f a s i n gl e

s k irt . It is all don e out of doors an d it kee p s t h e wom e n ,

bu s y from t h e middl e O f D ec e mb er to t h e e n d o f March .

Th ere are a fe w acce pte d an d gen e rally re cogn iz e d p atte rn s

an d d es ign s but th ere is pl e nty of room for i n dividu al
,

f an cy t as te an d s kill S ome of t h e p atte rn s for t h e b ags all

, .
,

Of th e m wo ven are re ally r e m ark abl e and th e ir work alo n g

, ,

this li n e as we ll as in th e ir h an d e mbroid e ry is always

, ,

highly appre ci ate d by E urop e an s .

T h e a ctivity O f t h e K achi n man do e s n o t arou se our

a dmir atio n ; th e y n e ve r hurt th e m s e l ves by o ve rwork but ,

s ee to it th at t h e wome n are fully occupi ed and do

n o t s p e n d th e ir tim e in l e i s ure It is h ard to im agi ne a .

h ard er worke r th an a K achi n wom en S h e co s ts h e r li e ge .

lord a n e at s um wh e n h e m arri es h er an d h e re g ard s it ,

h is right to t ak e it o ut of h er i n l abor B e fore it is .

light s h e mu s t be up an d pou n d t h e p addy for t h e day .

A vi s itor to a mountai n Vill age will n e ve r forge t t h e pe culi ar

s i n g s o n g gru n ts gro an s an d high pitch e d to n es th at bre ak
-
,
-

t h e s till n es s o f t h e e arly morn i n g hour as t h e you n g girl s

b egin t h e op eratio n of pou ndin g hu s king an d winn owi ng ,
 INDUS TR IES . 79

the p addy A l arge wood e n mort ar and a h e avy p es tl e are

.

u se d to re mo ve t h e hu s k an d t h e wi nn owin g is don e with a

,

l arge rou nd wicke r tray It is a mo s t ex acting and f atigui n g

, .

work In m any loc aliti es thi s b ack bre aki n g toil could be
.
-

e limi n at e d by utilizi n g w at e r powe r but t h e K achi n ne ve r imi ,

t ates t h e s kill of t h e S h ans an d t h e Pal aungs in thi s p articul ar .

H aving fi n i s h ed t h e p addy pou n di n g th e n come s t h e c arryi ng

o f w at e r an d t h e pre p ari n g of t h e mor n i n g m e al fe edi n g ,

t h e pig s an d g e ttin g re ady for t h e d ay s work in t h e fi e ld or

’

at w e av i n g Wate r is ofte n c arri e d for n early a q

. u art e r
of a mil e up s te ep hill s id es Lo n g b amboo tub es are
-
.

u s e d i ns te ad o f bucke ts the s e are pl aced in wicke r b as ke ts ,

c arri e d o n t h e b ack t h e s trap goin g acro s s t h e top of

,

t h e h e ad . It is re m ark abl e wh at lo ad s thes e wom e n c an

c arry I n a fe w vill age s th e re is a rud e atte mpt to l e ad
.

a mou n t ai n s tre am ; but u s u ally s uch a l abor s av i n g d e vic e -

,

i s n o t co n s id e re d S pri n gs in d ee p r avi n es are pre fe rr ed

. .

T hi s is n o doubt an ad van t age for t h e se curi n g o f good ,

whol es om e w ate r but it m ean s m an y we ary hours for

,

t h e h ard worki n g wom e n T h e picki n g c arryi n g an d

.
,

cutti n g O f t h e wood is al s o h er work and it t akes a ,

good d e al of h er time T h e wood is u s u ally fou nd in

.

Old p addy fie ld s and is c arri e d gre at di s t an ce s It is n o .

u n common thin g to se e a wom an with h e r b aby c arri e d

in fro n t a h e avy lo ad of wood or a b as k e t O f rice o n
,

h e r b ack twirli n g a h an d s pin dl e (hk dbang) as s h e trudge s

,
-

up t h e s tee p mou nt ai n p ath B es id e s s h e doe s h e r s h are Of

.
,

t h e work in t h e p addy fi e ld s owi n g pl anti n g or w e e di n g

, , .

Th at s h e h as n o tim e for h e r hom e an d childre n is n o t

a s urpri se I n f act th e re is n o word for hom e an d childre n
.
,

run wild from t h e tim e th e y c an w alk till th ey are big

e n ough for work .

It is n o doubt t h e h ard life of t h e women th at is res po ns i

ble for t h e l arg e i n fan t mort ality in K achi n commu n iti es .

It is n o u n common thi n g to fi nd families th at h ave h ad

s e v e n e ight n i n e or more childre n o f which o n ly t w o o r
, ,

three h ave grown up to m aturity Famili e s with n o child .

80 THE KAC H IN S .

re n, o r whe re th ey h ave all died are Ofte n found D eaf and .

’

dumb bli nd d eform e d an d h alf witt ed childre n are seen

, ,
-
' "

in almos t e ve ry commu nity T h e h ard lif e o f th e moth e r

.
,

an d t h e free u n re s tr ain ed lif e b efore m arri age i s n o doubt

, , :

l argely t o b lame for th ese u nfortu n ate con dition s

, .

Bas kets and ma ts In commo n with all e as te rn pe opl es

. .

a m at is about all a K achin u ses for his bed; and a b as ke t

”

be com es an i ndi s pe ns ibl e neces s ity in h is d aily life H e .

is ~so me what s kill e d 1n b as ke t w eavi n g but his m ats are no t ,

e q u al to t h e product s o f Chi n es e o r Burm ese O fb as ket s h e . .

as p art ic ul arily wo rthy o f n otice Firs t t h e wicke r b as k et .

(ka) with n o orn am e n ts an d put toge th e r in a s imple

m ann e r This is u se d for c arryi n g wood and an ything
. ,

el se o f a g e n e r al n atur e ; b amboo tub es fill e d with w at e r are ,

al s o carri ed in thi s p articular p attern Wh en o n t h e '

ro ad me n always c arry b as ke ts o f thi s kind Women .

u se t h e m o n ly for wo od w at e r an d work arou n d t h e hou se

,

T h e re gul ar wom an s b as ke t (skingnoi ) is a n ea t and we ll

’
,

wo ve n articl e u s eful in e ndl es s w ays A wom an is h ardl y .

e ve r see n o n t h e ro ad without t his b ask e t o n h e r b ac k .

carri ed by a brow b and Paddy is always c arri e d zh O me

. .
’

fro m t h e fi elds in th ese ; b as ke ts ; and all t h e woman s be long

-
’

i ngs fi nd a pl ace in it s c ap aciou s hold A b as k e t ve ry well .

“

m ad e an d rathe r e xp en s ive c al le d a bo x (s umpu); is u se d

'
"

as w e would use a t rtink O r a ch es t o f d rawe rs It is n eve r

'
'

c arri ed outs ide t h e ho use e xcept wh en movin g from o ne

‘

pl ace to an othe r It h as a close fitt in g cover an d serves

‘
-
,
‘

t h e purpo se o f a bo x quit e w e ll
-
N orth e rn K achins u s e .

a co ve red b as k e t with a curve d t o p an d a

, tr ap door
(sa w ng hp-
a i) r ese
,
mbli n g w h en ca rri e d t h e cor a cl e Of an .

Iri s h fi s h e rm an It is a mos t u s e ful articl e as it is qui t e

.
.

wate rproof an d e as y to c arry In t h e ir b aske t m aking very .

littl e is done fO r t h e m arke t Mos t me n kn ow h o w t o

'

s upply th e ir o wn n eed but t h ey a tt e m p t ve ry littl e more

,
.

O nce in a whil e an O ld m an m ak es b as k e t weaving his

parti cu lar work and th en confines his work t o making
, .
Gi nning o on
c tt .

Wom e n w ea v ing . P . 80 .
 INDUSTR IES . 81

of the wom an s b as k et (sh ingnoz)

’
, an d Of the kind c alled
p
s um u .

M ats are u se d
v ariou s w ays but s o far as the y are
in ,

m ad e by t h e K achi ns th ey are all Of t h e ch eap ordinary ,

kin d m ad e O f b amboo s plits T h e we avi n g o f m ats is no t as

.

much an art with the m as is b as ke t we avin g Tho se .

who c an afford it u s u ally buy t h e m ats fo r s l ee ping and

b ed in t h e S h an o r Burm an b az aars T h e poore r p e opl e
.

h ave to get alon g with articl e s o f the ir o wn m an uf acture .

 CH APT ER VIII .

WEAPO NS AN D WARFA RE .

K achin weapo ns are gu ns cro ss b o w s pe ar and s word

,
-
, .

Th e s word h as alre ady b e en d e s cribe d (s ee C h ap VI I ) . .

T h e s p ears are Of d iffe ren t m ake s and s h ape s T h e re gul ar .

K achi n spear is an un o m amen t ed poin t o f s tee l with a s h aft

fi ve or s ix fe e t lo n g But s pe ars of Chi nese o r S h an m ak e
.

are frequ e n tly fou n d S om e o f th ese h ave doubl e edge d

.
-

s pe ar h e ad s
-
and s om e are
, s i n gl e edge d T h e h e avy Chi n
-
.

s p e ar with it s e l abor ate d e s ign o f y ak s h air is gr eatly

’

v alu ed and mo s t o f t h e chi efs h ave s e ve ral Of the m In .

d ays go ne by a K achi n wh en tr ave llin g generally carrie d

h is s p e ar as we ll as his s word but n ow ad ays t h e form e r
,

weapo n is s eldom see n .

T h e cross bow in t h e h an d s Of a good arch e r o r s hot

-

i s an effe ctive we apo n It is from three t o five fee t in

.

s p an an d it is difli c ult for o n e n o t u s e d to it to be n d

,

t h e bo w T h e arrows are m ad e Of b amboo s om e tim e s

.
,

h ard ene d in fire ; s to ne or m et al tip s are n o t u se d n owad ays ,

but forme rly we re n o t u nkn own T h e Yawyins and t h e .

Lashis ve ry Often pois on the ir arrows with a kind Of

s trychn in e Obt ai ne d from t h e n ight s h ad e but t h e Jin gh p aws ,

se ldom follow thi s pr actice .

O f guns se ve ral ki n d s are kn own an d u s ed T h e mo s t .

common are t h e chee k gun (s dhku n s dnat) t h e flin t lock

-
,
-

(myiba) an d t h e c ap gun (h tunghpa u) Th e firs t may be

, .

c alle d t h e re al K achin gun an d is by far t h e mo s t commo n

, .

It is a m atch lock o f Chinese and S h an m ake fired wi t h

-
,

h emp fu s e s o ake d in s altp etre T h e gun is very light .

,

with n o butt and a ve ry s hort re volve r s h ap ed gun s tock -

which is h eld in t h e h and and press ed t o t h e chee k T h e .

b arre l is thi n and in mo s t o f t h e gu ns s e en tod ay with

,

a r agge d muzzl e In a fe w ye ars more th ese we apo n s will

.
84 THE KAC H INS .

be a n ovelty as ne w o nes are ne ve r s ee n and t h e m aki ng of

, ,

th e m h as app are ntly ce as ed O ld flint lock s of v ariou s m akes

.
-

are me t with e ve rywh e re They h ave fou nd their w ay in to

.

K ac h inlan d from Chin a A ss am or lower Burm a

, Th e .

c ap gu n s are more
-
highly v alu ed th an any oth e rs but ,

t h e Go ve rn m e n t A rm s A ct m ak es it di fficult to procure
ammu nitio n . A fe w chi efs h ave jingal and s wive l gun s ,

but th e y are b ecomi n g ve ry rare The y be lo ng more t o .

t h e S h an s th an to t h e K achin s .

T h e K achi ns kn ow h o w t o pound powder S ulphur .

c an be bought in any S h an b az aar from C h inese tr ad e rs .

S altp etre is e xtracted from t h e s urf ace s oil from o ld s t ables

o r from u n d e r Old hou ses Ch arco al an y n ative c an burn
. .

T h e powd e r Obt ai ned is v e ry course an d dirty and a ,

l arge amount is re quired fo r a ch arge Le ad comes from .

Ch in a o r t h e S h an S tates and is s old in t h e b az aars u s u ally ,

four b ars t o t h e vi ss I t is beate n i nto bulle ts or melted

.
,

an d m ad e i n to s hot by l e tti n g t h e flowin g m e t al drop

t hrough t h e hol es o f a pe rforate d t in pl ace d o ve r a b ambo o
fill ed with a thick mixt ure o f w ate r an d c o w dun g It .

is a primiti ve w ay t o b e s ur e but it do es t h e work , As .

all t h e gu ns are muzz l e lo ad e rs lo adin g and pr imi n g are

-
,

done in t h e u s u al way bits Of rag o r piec es Of p ape r be in g

,

u se d for wad s .

Kachin warfare is no w a m atte r o ft h e p as t as far as Britis h ,

Burm a is conce rn ed but in th e i nde pe ndent S h an S tates

,

an d in C hi nese t e rritory h e c an s t ill e njoy wh at may be

”
c all ed t h e n atio n al s port O f w arf are prop e r a h ill man
.
-

k n ows n othi n g but h e is a s kill ed r aid e r bu s hwh ack e r an d

, ,

robb er R aid s u s e d to b e his p as time an d a bit of fightin g

.
,

brok e t h e mo n oto ny of h is lo nely life T h e m eres t pre te xt .

would s e rve as a cas us belli an d h e wen t in for it with

,

t h e id e a O f doi n g all t h e d am ag e h e could to t h e e n e my

whil e s avi ng h is o wn s kin T h e att acks c am e u s u ally
.

at n i ght ju s t be fore t h e ri s e Of t h e moo n Ve ry littl e re al .

fightin g w as do ne and t h e blood s he d w as neve r gre at -

.

Th ere would be a quick ru s h for t h e n eares t hou ses if a ,

 WEAPO NS AND WARFARE . 85

vill age was att acked ; these would be set o n fire guns would ,

be fire d an d a mid s t a gre at d e al of s houti n g pri s on e rs

,

an d c attl e would b e le d away if t h e att ack w as s ucc es s ful

, .

A h as ty retre at would b e effe cted and t h e p ath would ,

be m ad e d an ge rou s for t h e purs u e rs by t h e drivi n g o f s h arp

b ambo o s pike s in s uch a w ay th at th ey would cut and
pi e rce t h e fe e t of tho se who ve nture d t o follow T hes e .

sp ik es are ju s tly dre ad ed as th e y i n flict a mo s t d an ge rou s

,

wou nd and are almo s t i n vi s ibl e at n ight time

, .

Vill age s we re n e ve r s to ckaded lik e t h e S h an o r Burman ;

but so m e of t h e big chi e fs u s ed to h ave a high wall arou n d
t he p al ace I n tim e of d an g e r all t h e hou se s s itu ate d at
.

s tr at e gic poi n t s would be fortifi ed and in s tubborn figh t ,

ing if dri ven out of o n e pl ac e th ey woul d s e e k S h e lt e r in t h e

, ,

oth e r But t h e u s u al w ay o f d e fen ce w as t o pre p are s ome

.

ki n d Of a s tock ad e o n t h e ro ad s l eadin g to th e vill age A .

tre nch would be dug trees put acro ss t h e ro ad a breas t work

, ,
-

thrown up o f earth an d s tones and in fro nt o f it t h e ,

whol e pl ace would be s tudd ed with long and s hort b amboo

s p ik es It w as se ldom th at an y atte mpt w as m ade t o
.

ru s h s uch a d efen ce and t h e u s u al t actics we re t o o ut

,

fl ank t h e enemy and s trike from be hind Pit falls were .

-

Often u se d As th ey we re us u ally very s k ilfully con ce al ed

.

gr e at c are h ad t o be take n The y were d an gerou s as .

th e y were s tudded with s h arp b amboo s pikes Traces .

Of these pit fall s and s tock ad es are found all over t h e

-

hill s es pe ci ally n e ar t h e l arge r vill ages an d s om e Of th e m

,

were u se d n o t s o v ery m an y years ago .

A K achin c an h ardly be c alled brave and still h e is ,

n o t e x actly a cow ard Und e r l e ad e rs hip th at h e c an tru s t

.

h e will fight br ave ly ; but followi n g h is o wn m e thod h e

prefers n o t to fight in t h e Op e n Wh en th ey m ade an .

att ack and fou nd a gre ate r r es i s t anc e th an e xpe ct e d an d ,

”
t hing s w e re g e ttin g too hot they would wit hdr aw and
,

wait for a b etter ch an ce Ve ry little cru e lty was practiced

. .

Pri s o ner s w ere he ld un til red ee med o r el se th e y were s old as ,

s l aves They were no t torture d and t h e fall en were seldom

.
,
86 THE KACH INS .

mutil ated H ead s might be cut Off t h e fallen en emi es t o

.

”
be di s pl ayed at t h e d an ce o f victory (pddang mdna u) ,

but as a rul e the re was no s uch e xhibitio n In d ays .

gon e by th e re was t h e cu s tom Of dri nkin g s ome Of t h e blood

Of a s peci ally brave and fe rociou s ene my in ord e r to appro
p ri at e hi s s pirit an d d ari n g but th at b e lon gs to t h e p as t
, .

Th ere are al s o s om e hin ts th at c an ab alis m was no t unk n own

in tho se d ays e vid en t ly fo r t h e s ame purpo se
, But t h e
.

K achins h ave long ago left these cus toms behind T he y .

are n o t h ead hu n te rs lik e t h e W as an d th e ir m e thod o f

-
,

w arfar e will s oo n be forgotten .

T h e d an ce o f victory h as in mo s t commu n iti es n o t been

h e ld for almos t a ge neration Thi s wild pictures qu e
.
,

w ar d an ce re mi ndin g u s o f t h e Am e ric an Indi an s wil l

-
, ,

prob ably n ever ag ain be see n in it s form er glory in t h e

f as t ch an gin g K ac h inland .

S h ields o f a s qu ar e s h ap e cove re d with lo ze nge p atte rn s

, ,

may s till be se e n in s ome commun iti es ; but th e y are m e re

curios iti es and it is long s ince th ey were o f any practical
v alu e .

t
h i r d?
 S O C IAL LI FE A ND A MU S E M ENT S .

The s oci al life in a K achin commu n ity centers aroun d

s uch public e ve n ts as a w e ddin g o r a fu n e ral an d t h e ,

cu s tom s conne cted with th e ir re ligio n Wh ateve r h appens .

t h e whol e vill age is co n c e rn e d and all co n tribut e to t h e ,

s ucc ess o f t h e e ven t Wh en a bride m akes h er e ntran ce

.

into t h e commu n ity ; wh e n s om e o n e is s e n t O ff t o the

l an d Of t h e d ead ; when th e re is a gre at s acrific e fo r
s om e p articul ar purpo se ; an d above all wh en th e re is a ,

gre at d an ce (mdnau) all come togethe r and th ere is t h e

,

u s u al feas ti ng B ut amus em ents in o ur s e ns e o f t h e word

.

c an h ardly b e s aid t o e xi s t Life in t h e hill s is mo s tly a

,

k ee n s truggl e for e xi s ten ce ; each o ne is h ard at work

t o s upport him se lf S urrou n d e d by gre at n atur al res ources
.
,

po ssesse d o f a generally fertil e s oil o ur K achi n is poor , ,

n early alw ay s poorly dre ssed confro nted all t h e tim e ,

with s c arcity Parti al famine s com e very often ; few h ave

.

e n ough ri ce to s upply th e m for t h e y e ar Work is t o .

th e m t h e great re ali ty an d as t h e m al e m embers o f t h e

,

hou se hold m ake it a po in t t o do as littl e as po ss ibl e ,

h eavy burd ens fall o n t h e wom en and childre n .

C hildren a t p lay Child life as kn own t o us do es no t

.
-
, ,

e xi s t in K ac hinl and T h e l arge n umb e r o f d eform ed

.
,

h alf d eveloped and h alf witt ed ch ildren seen in mo s t c o m

- -
.

munit ies o f any s i ze is a s ad comm ent ary o n s o ci al

,

condition s T h e s m all boys run about almo st n ak ed

.
,

amu s i ng th e m se lves any w ay th e y c an Th e brok en and .

g enerally ov ergrown hill s id es o ffer n o attractive pl ay

-

grou nd s and t h e you n gs ters grow up without any real

,

id e a Of pl ay so import ant t o th e d evelopmen t o f a child

, .

R un ni n g j umpi ng o r o ut door sp ort in ge ner al is almo s t

,
-
,
88 THE KACH INS .

un n k ow H alf gro wn boys e ng age s om e in wres tli ng tes t

n .
-
,

the ir s tre ngth in c e rta i n po s iti ons with b amboo pol e s ,

“ ”
pl ay m arbl es a ki n d o f l as t t ag and s pin top s But
, , .

the re is s till l ess Of amuse me nt for t h e girl s S h e b e gi ns .

work as e arly as poss ibl e Whil e ye t Of t en d e r age s h e

'

will c arry h er you n ge r broth e rs o r s i s te rs h e lp to do t h e ,

an d bri n g w ate r and wood As s oo n as s h e .

is t all e n ough sh e be gi n s t h e h ard p addy poun din g an d th e n -

,

is sen t t o do h er s h are i n wee di n g t h e rice fie ld

-
D uri ng -
.

t h e cool w ea th e r s h e l e arn s to s pi n an d w e ave an d s h e ,

may be m arri e d be fore s h e is fift e en o r S ixte e n if n o t

.

a moth e r at th at age ; S h e n e ve r h as t h e libe rty h er '

broth e rs h ave an d t h e b irth o f a girl l S r e g ard ed as s om e

,
- :

thin g O i a misfortu ne Wh en as kin g a K achin h o w m any .

r

chil dren h e h as h e will always give t h e n umber of boys

,
.
,

t h e girl s are n o t worth m e nt io n i n g Y ou ng men g ambl e .

s om e with cowri es an d dice but n o t to t h e s am e e xt en t as ,

S h ans an d Burm ans in dulge in thi s p as tim e

,
Th ey ki ll .

s m all bird s with mud pell e ts s hot from s m all bamboo bow s ,

but t hi s 1s no t for s port but for s ome thin g t o eat .

Women We h av e alr eady m entio ne d t h e h ard life im

.

pos ed upo n t h e women They are al ways re garde d infe rior .

Th e birth o f a girl is ann ou n ce d wi t h

“
t o t h e me n It
'

.
~ , ,

is o nly a gir l Th e you ng wom an is s old for S O much

‘

cas h and becomes t he slave o f h er hus band an d Of h is

family es pe ci ally o f t h e mo ther in—la
,
w It is o n ly as s h e -
.

adv an ces in ye ars and be comes t h e moth er o f a n umbe r

o f s on s t h at s h e be comes re co gn iz e d as o f any im portance

'
.

If s h e in addit io n h as s ome mind and s tren gth of ch ar acter

,
'

s h e may beeo me t h e Virtu al rul e r Of t he hou sehold

, While .

t h e wom en p ay t h e h e avi es t pri ce for i gn oran ce an d degradg

ing cu s to ms th ey are as a rule t he more u nwilli ng t o
,
r

ch ange It is far more difli c ult t o in du ce t h e mother th an

.
'

t h e f ath er t o sen d th eir so n t o s chool They cli n g t o .

t h e o ld cu s t om s wi t h a ten aci t y and ign or an t s up ers titio n

t h at fe w o f t h e men e xhibit Cent uri es o f se rvitude
.
. ,

h ard work and no int ell ectu al advantages h ave dulle d , ,

Poun ding r ic e . P . 88
.
 SO C IAL L IFE AND AMUSEMENTS . 89

and blunted min d and h eart and the y c annot imagi ne

,

th at th e re is anythin g outs id e th e ir n arrow world .

The young peop le A vis itor t o a Kachin vill age is s truck

.

with t h e free an d e as y w ay Of t h e young p eopl e Eve ry .

e ve n i n g th ey g ath e r at t h e m aide ns ap artm e n t ( nla dap)

in s ome hou se o r e l se more lik e ly in s om e gr an ary d e cor ated
,

fo r t h e occ as io n with twi gs an d flowe rs In l arg e Vill ages a

.

s p eci al b ut may se rv e t h e purpo se and in s om e i ns t a , n c es

young p e opl e from se ve ral commu n itie s may mee t at

so m e pl ac e in t h e j un gl e T h e e ve n in g hours are p as s ed
.

with mus ic and s in gin g T h e vill age b ard (ldka) may t ake
.

t h e l ead but it i s u s u ally don e by s om e oth e r you n g

,

man Th e s in ging is res po n s ive T h e youn g men will

. .

s i n g a fe w li n es i n to n i n g o r ch an ti n g t h e qu es tio n s an d

t h e you n g m aid e n s will ans we r This may be ke pt up

.

till mid n ight o r l ate r wh e n t h e comp an y break s up and

s l ee pi n g pl aces are fou nd whe reve r conveni en t There .

are pr actic ally n o res t rictio ns in re g ard t o t h e re l atio ns

be twee n you ng un m arri e d p e opl e Th ey are allowed t o .

s uit th e m se lve s an d t h e Old pe opl e do n o t r e g ard it as

,

in any w ay imprope r It is t h e cu s tom and th ere is

.
,

n othi n g more t o s ay about it Th e love s o ngs s u ng at th ese

.
-

e ve n in g g ath e ri ng s h ave gene rally s ome immoral hin ts

an d i n s in u atio n s ,but no t more s o th an m any Of t h e
ch eap n o vel s fre e ly circul ated in civilized coun tri es o r ,

t h e d e gr adi n g pl ay s allowe d in mo s t commun iti es This .

cus tom presen ts t h e wors t S id e Of t h e com mu nal life and ,

s till w e mu s t n o t judg e th e m from o ur s tan dard s altog e th e r .

Mo s t K achin s admit th at right here is t h e c au se o f mo s t

o f the ir f amily troubl es but t h ey are he lpless agai ns t an
,

es t abli s he d cu s tom Th ey kn ow o f n othing el se We give

. .

t h e follo wi n g s t an z as Of o n e Of t h e typic al love s o n g s ,

-
,

illus tr ating th eir w ay o f lookin g upo n t h e rel atio ns be tween

t h e se xes . It s hows us t h e life as lived by you n g pe opl e
led by n atur al impul ses and n o res t r ainin g in flu e nc es
 90 THE KAC H INS .

My lovely m aid ens d e ar be love d fri end s

, , ,

At this ven ing hour

e thi s amuse men t roo m
, in
Le t u s e xch an g e o ur lim e an d o ur tob acco
;
Le t o ur lips b e coloure d with t h e cutch an d lim e

Le t o ur mouth s t h e lov e s o n g s i n g
;
-

Le t u s s ou n d forth t h e joyou s s o n g
;
Le t common l aughte r fill t h e hour .

Res po n di n g t o t h e
g all ant s ong Of love ,

Co nsentin g e ve r to t h e h e art s d es ire ’

,

If a fe ud b e t h e res ult
An d it s hould com e to o ur n obl e broth e rs
T h e three foot s word they ll dr aw
-
’
,

An d wi e ld t h e rod and s pe ar ,

This o nly do we fe ar .

Who youth without a m aid e n ?

is t h e
T h e s prouti ng p addy s own and pl an t ed ,

Wh ere is t h e hill o n which it will no t grow ?

Wh ere is t h e m aid without a lover ?

T h e s prouti n g gr ai n wh en s own and sc att ered ,

Wh ere is t h e h e ight o n which it does no t g row ?

Th e cu s tom h ere d esc ribe d h as aroused a great d eal O f

comm ent from E uropean s It h as been ass e rted more th an
.

o nce th at n o p articul ar di s grace is attached t o t h e you n g

girl who be co m es t h e moth e r Of an ill egitim ate child This .

is n o t t h e case Bo th t h e girl s f amily and t h e girl h ers e lf

’
“

are di s gr aced and t h e youn g man in qu es tio n mu s t ato ne

,
“
accordin gly Th e
. moth er o f a b as t ard h as a poorer
ch an ce in m arri age and brings h e r family a s m all e r m m .

T h e child wh ich is g ene rally adopte d by t h e girl s pe opl e is

’
:
, ,

n o t ill treate d but is alway s c all ed a b as t ard

-
, Th ere is no . .

att e mpt , howeve r t o es c ape t h e con se qu e nces o f th e ir

,

mi s tak e by t h e use o f drugs o r crimi nal Operations Th at .

 SO C IAL L IFE AND AMUS EMENTS . 91

to a Kachinwould be a greate r wron g th an t h e firs t It .

s hould n o t be argu e d th at t h e K achi n s are es p eci ally

immoral Und e r ordi n ary res tr ai n t the ir you n g p e opl e c an
.

be as res pe ct abl e as any In t h e K achi n mi ss io n s t atio n s

.

we h ave fo r n e arly thirty y ear s e duc ate d hu ndre d s Of you n g

men an d wom e n in mix ed s chool s Th e re are o nly o ne ,

o r t w o c ases o n r ecord wh ere pupil s h ave actu ally gon e

wron g In Chri s ti an Vill ages wh e re t h e girl s are k ept at

.
,

hom e and t h e you n g p eopl e in g ener al are looke d afte r ,

th e re are n o more moral l ap se s th an u nd e r S imil ar co n dition s

in civilize d l an d s .

Th e village bard Po e try is t h e n atural s p ee ch o f t h e

.

s av age H e thin k s in s imil es

. an d his im agi n atio n is ,

un bridled R eligiou s and tr adition al K achi n is all po etic

.
,

an d in t h e co n s ult atio n o f t h e e ld e rs th e y u s e a gr e at d e al of

high fl o wn poe tic id e as and quote rhymes an d rhyth mic

-
,

pro ve rb s which con t ai n a great d e al Of im agin ation an d

i ns ight In mo s t o f t h e l arger commu nitie s is a vill age
.

b ard (ldka) wh o is an impo rt ant p e rs o n age and o ffic iat es

,
.

es pe ci ally at w eddi ng s wh en h e s ings t h e glory Of t h e

,

”
brid e an d at hou se warmin gs wh en h e c all s down t h e
,
-
,

bl es s ings o n t h e occup ants of t h e ne w house wi s hin g th e m ,

h appiness and pro s pe rity S ittin g o n a lo w s tool ge ne rall y

.
,

thrummin g a fan to kee p time h e ch ant s t h e s o ngs as ,

i ns pired by t h e mu se an d t h e li s t en e rs joi n in t h e
“
chorus His s o n g h as ve ry Oft e n a re al poe tic s train ;
.

his flights Of im agin atio n i n dic ate a s ense o f t h e id e al

Often far abo ve wh at w e would e xpe ct from an illite rate :

man livi n g a life amid s t primitive s urrou n dings We give .

h ere an extr act from o ne o f th ese so ngs It is t h e int roduc .

t ory p art t o a w eddin g hym n :

O goi thi s aus piciou s e ven in g

, agoi lo 5 on ,

O f me t h e b ard o f me t h e youthful mi ns tre l

, ,

De mand t h e joyous t as k to s cal e t h e t en sp an tree -

.

Be fore t h e youth s love lit face pl ace t h e wicker tray

’
- -

With joyou s s tren gth I will p ers is t t h e tree I ll sc al e ,

’
.
92 THE KACH INS .

The grove fo r love s o ngs is high above ,

But I will e nte r t h e d ee p cool pool

‘

From its murky d e pt h t h e fi ne white sand I ll bri ng ,

’
.

T h e love lit youth t h e gre at Cre ator m ad e

-
,

H is e x alte d n am e t h e ho n oure d S un na t g ave -

,

H is umbilic cord t h e god of wi s dom S h ap ed

H e h e ld t h e b amboo prod and ope ned wid e his e ars ,

I n t h e s p aciou s cr an ium c o n s pic io us s kill fou n d room .

An d thu s to e ve ry pl ac e an d crowd h e goes ,

An d S i n g s t h e love s o n gs O f t h e prese n t age ;

-

H e kn ows n o S h am e it s hot fl am e do es n o t burn ;

,

H e n ee d n o t blu s h n or turn h is f ac e aw ay .

A b ard is h ere be hold h is face am azing every o ne

, ,

With kn owl edge m an ifold as be ad s upo n a b ag

A pl e as an t s ou n din g violi n am I .

Wh e n in h igh wild s on g t h e youth p ers i s ts

, ,

It s l ik e as wh en t h e troubl e d w ate rs from t h e uppe r s prin gs

’

S o il t h e c rys tal s tr e am from which t h e gr eat chi efs drink ;

They bl am e t h e na ts and at o nce bri n g forth
T h e divi n i n g b amboo t o t h e p al ace fro n t .

N o w from my s i t ti n g pl ace I ll ri se
’
,

My be nd ed k nees I ll move ’
,

My body s grace dis pl ay ;

’

With t h e cres ce nt fan as With wi n gs I ll play ’

,

T h e an ces tral s tory I will re coun t .

O n ce more t h e an ci ent glory I will s i n g .

Ye ho n oured e ld e rs ye gold produ c in g s o ns

,
-
,

Pre p are your mi nd s my word s rec e ive wi t h ope n ear

, .

M us ic . A doubl e b arre ll ed flute m ad e

-
m all b amboo of s

s ee m s to b e t h e o n ly g e n ui n e mu s ic al in s trum e n t s o f t h e

K achin s O ther kinds are found but th ey are all o f S h an o r

.
,

Chi nes e p atte rn T h e Chin es e go ng is cons id e red a necess ity

.

in a we ll furn i s h e d hou se and t h e weal t h o f a rich man was

,

forme rly g auged by t h e n umbe r Of go ngs h e po ssessed .

Th e Chinese t imbre l an d a o ne s t rin ged violin al s o Of -

,

C hines e p attern are al s o fo un d ; but t h e vio lin is p layed by

,
 SO C IAL L IFE AND AMUS EMENTS . 93

ve ry fe w . At t h e house
buildi ng se as o n when t h e rice fie ld ,
-

o f a chi e f is to b e cl e are d a ro ad o r a bridg e re p aire d, ,

o r w h e n o t h e r commu n al work is o n t h e progr amm e it ,

”
is cu s tom ary to c all t h e pe opl e toge th e r with mu s ic .

T h e lo n g S h an drum fou n d in almo s t eve ry vill age o n e ,

o r t w o go n g s an d a p air o f timbre l s are in e vid e n c e an d t h e ,

whol e vill age may be m archin g aft er t h e mu s ici an At othe r .

occ as ions it is s e ldom th at a pe rform an ce o n mix ed

ins truments is give n Th e go ngs may be s ou nd ed jus t fo r
"
.

t h e fu n o f it at an y tim e but th e y are mo s tly u se d wh en ,

d ancin g t h e d e ath d an ce Three go n gs of diffe ren t tonal

-
.

po we r are u sed o n thi s occ as io n T h e flute and t h e violin .

e nl ive n t h e e v e n in g hour s wh e n t h e you n g pe opl e m ee t

for amu se m en t Th e S h an drum is h ardly e ve r u se d e xc ep t

.

w h en c alli n g t h e pe opl e toge th e r fo r commun al work .

A t th e great religious d an ce (mdnau) a l arge cylin dric ,

~

drum s us pe nd ed be tw ee n t wo h eavy po s ts is in use It h as

, , .

a drum h e ad at e i t h e r e n d an d it se n d s forth a s tro n g d ee p

-
, ,

n ot e th at re e choe s amon g t h e hill s l e ttin g peopl e far

-
,

and n ear kn ow t h e glori es o f t h e i ndividu al givin g t h e

d an ce It is ne ve r u se d o n any other occ as ion

. .

D ances and dancing K achins n eve r d ance fo r t h e sake o f

.

m ere amu se men t Anything lik e a d ance o r a ball is ”

“
.

un kn own S till th ere are se ver al ki n d s o f d an ces and

.
,

duri n g t h e cool se as o n th ere is a cons id e rabl e amou nt o f

d an ci n g do ne by both men and wome n O f cours e al l .

d ancin g is do ne in ori e n t al fas hio n and t h e w es te rn huggin g ,

se t t o mu s ic is r e g ard e d as mo s t i n d e c e n t an d s h am e ful .

All t h e d ancin g is conn ected with s ome re ligiou s cu stom ,

o r s om e e ve n t from which t h e re li giou s e l e m e n t mu s t n o t

be abse n t (Se e Ch ap o n Mythology ) O f th es e d ance s

. . .

t h e m dnau is t h e mo s t co n s picuou s an d ch ar acte ri s tic It .

is giv e n o nly by h e redit ary chi e fs an d rich me n who by

s p e ci al re qu e s t an d pri v il e ge are authoriz e d to s acrific e

to t h e na t o f pro s p e rity (madai nat) R e b e l chi e fs (tho se

'

n o t Of t h e h e redit ary f amili e s ) an d ordi n ary commo n e rs ,

c an n e v e r give a m dnau T h er e are thre e k in d s of thi s

.
94 T HE KAC H IN S .

d an ce : t h e buri al d an ce ( ju manau) t h e pro spe rity

’

, ,
“
d an ce (s ut mdna u) and t h e d an c e of victory (p dda ng
,

m dna u) T h e . buri al d an ce which s e ems to be t h e ,

ori gi n al is given by chi e fs s om e tim e afte r a fun eral T h e

, .

o rigin al id e a w as t o propiti at e t h e d e p art e d It is n owad ays .

gi ve n by o n ly ve ry we althy chi efs and any form o f t h e ,

d an ce is n o w c all e d ju mdnau t h e ju b e in g S imply u se d as a,

coupl e t o f mdnau T h e pros pe rity d ance is g ive n as

.

a th ank s gi v i n g for good fortu n e for t h e s ak e o f di s pl ayin g ,

o ne s we alth at t h e s am e tim e as kin g t h e di v i n iti es for

’
,

furth e r favors This is t h e mo s t common d an ce It l as ts

. .

four or e ight d ay s and co s ts t h e propri e tor a gr eat d e al

,
.

Th e man l e adi n g t h e d an ci n g is fan t as tic ally dre ssed a ki nd ,

Of be feat h ered mitre (gap da ru) be in g t h e chi ef attr action ,

o f h is u n iform T h e p e rform an ce is alw ay s h e ld o n a

.

c ircul ar d an ci n g floor in fro n t o f t h e hou se Pe opl e com e .

from far and n ear and a gre at n umbe r o f c attl e pigs

, ,

a n d fowl s are s acrific e d an d liquor flows free ly Ins te ad .

o f bri n gi n g t h e chi e f pro s p e rity it u s u ally l e aves him ,

”
h eavily in d e bt Th e d an ce o f victory cel e brates s ome
.

s ign al s ucc e s s in w arf are A S K achi ns c an n o lo n ge r fight

.
,

thi s d an ce will s oo n be forgotten It is t h e mo s t wild .

-
,

wi e rd and pictures qu e o f all th e ir d an ces and is t h e o ne ,

gi ve n whe nev e r th e y are o n e xhibitio n Thu s wh ate ve r .

form Of d an cin g m ay be o n t h e progr amm e t h e r e ligiou s ,

S id e is alw ay s pres e n t an d t h e pri e s t an d es pe ci ally t h e

ja iwa (a kin d of high pri e s t) is t h e re al l ead e r But th e re

,
-
, .

is e n ough Of t h e worldly in it to s ati s fy any K achi n .

It is a time Of lice nse o f fe as tin g an d h e avy dri n ki n g

, .

a n d un bridl e d i n dulg e n ce I n t h e go od O ld d ays t h e re we re

.

Often dru n ke n brawl s and fightin g c aus in g e ndless troubl e

and s om e tim es bloody fe ud s Wh e n all is ove r an d t h e
.

d anc e is re ady to bre ak up a c o w is s acrificed an d a l arge

, ,

”
y am n ickn am e d a
, pig is pl ace d n e ar t h e d ead animal
,
.

A s uppo se dly crazy man called ts awn r awn wa comes and , ,

”
c arri es away t h e pig and this clo ses t h e great e ven t .

T h e m ean i n g o f thi s s in gul ar clo se is n o t cl e ar ; but it

 SO C IAL L IFE AND AMUS EMENTS . 95

s ee ms intended t o illus tr ate t h e id e a th at man e ven though

inferior t o th e nats h as b ee n able by this mean s t h e d an ce , ,

t o c arry aw ay t h e bles s i n g s o f t h e s upe rnatural powe rs .

T h e morn i n g afte r t h e clo s e Of t h e d ance a s pe ci al offe ri n g ,

u s u ally a white fowl is m ad e to t h e genius o f d ark d ee d s

,

(s inla i mdraw) A t all S l end er tree with branches loppe d

.
,

Of f e xc e pt at t h e top is pl ace d at t h e ce n te r Of t h e d an ci n g
,

floor It is be nt as a bo w by m e an s of a s tout m m and

.

t o t h e t o p bran ch es t h e offe ri n g is tied Th en t h e rop e

.

is cut t h e tr ee s pri ng s b ack and t h e white fowl h an gs

,

as a tok en th at fat e it se lf h as b ee n propiti at ed by t h e

g enero s ity and great d e e d s of t h e d efraye r o f t h e d ance .

T h e de at h danc e (k dbu ng da m) is Ob se rve d in t h e hou s e

~
,

o f a d ep art e d from t h e tim e of d e ath u n til it is sen t Off

to t h e an ce s tr al re alms T h e ide a is t o gi ve t h e S pirit (ts u)

.

amu se m e n t and i n cid en t ally t o provid e e n t e rt ai n m e n t and

,

cons ol atio n for tho se l e ft beh in d You ng and Old men and
.
,

women may join in T hree gon gs o f di ffe re n t to nal power

, .

are be at e n t o k e e p tim e (S ee Ch ap XVI p ara D e ath

. .
, .

d an ce) T h e d an ce be gi ns l ate an d l as ts till afte r midn ight

. .

It may be kept up for a lo ng time if t h e family is t o o poor t o

p ay t h e h eavy e xp en ses co nne cte d with se n di ng t h e s pirit t o
t h e l an d o f t h e d e p art ed .
N a u S h aw n g or l ea e r
d of d an e c .

H ou se in the H u ong Va ll e
k y . P . 96
.
 CH APT ER X .

I NT E LL E CT UAL D EVE L O P M E NT .

It ‘
is diflic ul t to es tim ate t h e i nte lle ctu al S id e of a K achin .

O f book l e arn in g h e h as n on e an d s till s om e Of t h e old e r

-
,

men are quite we ll i n form ed Th e y h ave n e ve r h ad a

.

writt en l an gu age e ve n thou gh th e re is a tr aditio n of a lo s t

,

T hi s s tory h an d e d down in v ariou s ve rs io n s s ee m s

”
book .

to be common prop e rty amon g illiter ate tribes all ove r As i a ,

”
and s o with t h e l e g e n d of t h e flood S chool s an d t h e .

rudim e n ts o f kn owl edge n eve r e n te r t h e thoughts Of o ur

hillmen and ve ry fe w of th e m h ave p atro nize d t h e S h an o r
,

Burm an mon as te ri es O nly twe n ty years ago I publis he d

.

t h e firs t book in a Rom an iz ed alph abe t th at h ad e ve r

bee n seen in K achin an d s in ce th e n s eve ral hu ndred boys
,

an d girl s h ave b ee n e duc at e d in mi ss io n an d Gov e rn m en t

s chool s But educ ation is s till t h e rare e xce ptio n and t h e

.
,

Old in diffe re n ce to e ve rythin g alon g th at line is t h e rul e .

T h e children w h o c an be i n duc ed to e n te r s chool are bright

an d activ e an d l e arn ve ry quickly T h e p are nts es p e ci ally
.
,

t h e moth e rs are n e arly alw ay s oppo s ed to t h e children

,

l e avi n g hom e and goi n g to s chool Many Of t h e bo y s .

n o w in t h e s chool s are th e r e without t h e co n se n t o f t h e

p aren ts Boys Of t en o r e l e ven ye ars Of age c an do as th ey

.

pl e ase Th ey c an run away and s t ay aw ay But t h e girl s

. .

are k e pt more clo s e ly and ordi n arily o n ly o n e girl to thr ee

,

boys re ce i ves an e duc ation S ome who may admit s om e

.

b ene fits o f an e duc ation fo r a b o y c an n e ve r se e t h e ,

l e as t use in a girl l e arn i ng to re ad S h e mu s t do t h e work.

in t h e hou se and S h e c an pou n d p addy feed t h e pigs

, ,

an d c arry w ate r without kn owi n g t h e my s t e ri es o f t h e whit e

m an s book In d ee d a littl e s choolin g un fit S h e r for th es e

’
.

ess e n ti al s of t h e dom es tic life Th e K achi n in f act adv an c es

.

t h e s am e argu m e n ts in f avor Of ign oran c e th at w e are

7
98 TH E KACH INS .

famili ar with from oth e r p arts o f t h e world Yet nec ess ity .

h as forc ed him to do s om e t hink in g Without writin g .

,

h e h as i n ve nte d a rud e form Of S ign l an gu age o r a s ys te m ,

Of i nte rcommu nicat io n by givi n g a figur ative me anin g t o

e ve ry day Obj e c t s H e h as d e v elop e d h is c al en d ar and
.
,

h is s ys te m o f m e as ure me nt s re mindi n g us o f S imil ar ,

a tt e mpts amo n g primitive me n H e doe s s om e dr awin g .

,

an d h as s om e k n owl edge o f pl an ts an d m e dici n e B ein g .

u s ed to rely m ai nly o n t h e m e mory for eve rythin g m an y ,

h ave de ve lope d this faculty to a won d erful d e gree T h e .

wis dom and e xpe ri e n ce Of t h e ages h as be en e mbodie d in

s tori es an d p r o verb s worthy o f a c o mp aris io n with t h e
t raditio n al lore o f more f avore d an d adv an c ed r ac es .

S ign language Commun ic ation by t h e me an s Of S igns

.

”
and tok e ns a k in d Of
, ciph e r cod e is foun d ed o n t h e ,
“
prin cipl e Of word pl ay Fo r e x ampl e s dmyi t a n eedl e
-
.
"
, , ,

h as for it s l as t s yll abl e my it t h e word for mi n d or thin ki n g

, .

Thus a needle sen t t o a dis tan t fri en d mean s I am thinki n g

, ,

O f yo u I h ave y o u in mi nd Hpu ndu growin g th atch

, .
, ,

h as fo r its l as t s yll abl e da t o com e t o arrive A n ee dle

, , .

and s om e th atch sen t tog e th e r m e ans I am t h i nki n g o f yo u , ,

I will c ome (or yo u come) M djap red pe ppe r s tan ds

, .
,
-
,

for jap t o be h o t o r pu nge n t an d thu s i n dic at es an ger

, ,

o r wou n de d fee li ngs D ums i prung a porcup ine s pine

.
, ,

co ntains th e s yll able s i t o die hence it me ans de ath S h dkau , .

,

o nio n s m eans I wi ll h ave y o u from kau, t o throw aw ay

, , ,
.

Um e l e ph an t bamboo m eans I d es ir e o r love yo u from

, , , , ,

ra t o w ant
, Thu s if a nee dl e s ome red pe ppe r and a piec e
.
,
-

o f an o n io n is se n t it m ean s I h ave it in min d I am

, , ,

of fen d ed I will l eave yo u It will be seen th at thi s way of

, .

c ommun icatio n can be both e xpr ess ive an d forcef ul .

B ut there are other w ays to express o ne s feel ings ’

.

Anything bl ack (ch arco al bl ack yarn o r t h e like) indic ates, ,

h atre d s h am e o r des truction by fire ; red in dicates blood s hed

,

and w ar A mini ature s word gun o r s pe ar m ade o f wo od

.
, , ,

anno u n ces a d e cl ar atio n o f w ar If a n o t ch is m ad e in .

t h e s pear an d s word given at a w e ddin g it is es pe ci ally ,

 INTELLECTUAL DEVELO PMENT . 99

c
sa re d and bindi ng If t h e promise o r vo w is brok en
.

t h e Offen d e r mu s t die by s word o r s pe ar A piece Of red .

yarn sen t t o s om eo ne m e ans th ere will be a fight ; a s tri ng

,

with o ne kn ot me ans I pity yo u yo u are alo ne ; a kn ot

, ,

at each e nd m e an s w e are un it e d ; se ve r al kn ot s t e ll t h e
,

s tory I wi ll com e aft e r as m an y d ay s as th er e are k n ots

,

o n t h e s tri n g Anyth in g foul smelling indicates dis gu s t

.
-

o r s om e thi n g vil e .

Wrappin g up a bu ndl e o r p acket in a pl ant ai n l eaf c an

a l s o be m ad e e xpress i ve o f h atr e d o r fri e n d s hip If in .

s en din g aw ay a Vi s itor t h e ho s t es s wr ap s t h e p ack e t in

s uch a w ay th at t h e k n ot is m ad e tow ard s h er it m e an s ,

I wi s h you could s t ay with us lo nge r ; if aw ay from h e r ,

it i n dicates di s pl eas ure an d s ati s f actio n th at h e is goi n g .

Wh e n th e p acke t is tied with b ambo o s plits t h e n umber ,

Of t urns i n dicate t h e min d Of t h e give r An e ven n umber .

s ign ifies fri e n d s hip an d pl eas ur e an O dd n umbe r t h e oppo s ite

, .

T h e gre ate r n umbe r o f turn s t h e more t h e e mph as i s o n

e ith e r s id e
.

A n otched piece o f b amboo is gi ven as a pl edge o r a

m emorandum ”
It is al s o used for keepin g t ally Wh en
. .

g ive n as a pl e dg e be twee n t wo co ntr acti ng p arti es it is

s plit in t w o each s id e k ee pin g a h alf t o be comp are d in
, ,

cas e Of furth er di s agr ee m e n t In tim e Of w ar it w as .

cu s tom ary t o se nd a s m al l pie ce o f buffalo s kin with ,

t h e h air att ach e d t o it t o frie n d s o r alli es as king fo r

,

th e ir ass is tan ce Wh en c attl e were s tol en s ome h air

.

f as tene d t o a pie ce o f b amboo is s tuck up s ome wh e re alo ng

t h e ro ad to in dic at e co n t e mpt and d e fi an ce A small piece .

Of s plee n from a sacrifice d an imal would in s om e loc aliti es

be se n t t o de cl ar e a fe ud But m any o f th ese cu sto ms
.

are alr e ady be i n g forgott en as fe ud s an d blood s h e d and

,

in tertrib al w ars are n o longer pos s ible becau se o f the

B ritis h rul e .

Drawing A rud e k in d o f dr awi n g is see n o n t h e pray er

.

”
po s ts (ldban) at t h e Vill age en tr an ce It is mo s tly pictures
, .

of rice o rn ame n ts and weapo ns pl ac ed in thi s c o ns picu o us

, ,
100 THE KACH INS .

po s itio n to re mi n d t h e vill age divin iti es of wh at is mo s t

v alu abl e to t h e i n h abit an ts S ome tim es t h e fro nt gird e r
.

o f a hou s e an d t h e po s t s an d gird e r s of a no t hou se are

,
-

S imil arly d e cor at e d O n t h e gr ave s of chi e fs an d rich men

.

s om e d e cor atio n in S h an s tyl e is atte mpt ed but it is all of ,

t h e rud es t ki n d im agi n abl e T h e ve rdict mu s t b e th at

.

t h e K achin s h ave n o co n c e ptio n of art Mo s t of th e m .

c ann ot t e ll wh at a picture or photogr aph repres e n ts .

Th e calenda r T h e di vi s io n O f time follows t h e se as on s

.

Of t h e ye ar T h e s e as o n s are firs t O f all divid e d i n to t h e

.

dry an d t h e W e t s e as o ns T h e dry se as o n (ginh tawng

.

ta) l as t s from O ctob e r to March ; th at is from t h e tim e

, ,

o f h arv es t to t h e n e xt s owi n g an d pl an ti n g ; t h e r ai n y

s e as o n (l anam ta) is r e cko ned from April to Se pt e mber

, ,

t h e tim e wh e n cultivatio n is in progr e ss Th es e t wo .

divi s io ns o f t h e ye ar are s ubdivid ed as follows t h e N e w ,

Ye ar b e gi n n i n g in O ctobe r
T h e dry s eas o n
M dnga i ta t h e tim e for t h e new rice O ctobe r and
, ,

N ove mbe r .

d h ung ta t h e cold s e as o n De c e mbe r and J an u ary

, , .

H ta wng ga ta t h e hot and dry se as o n , Fe bru ary and ,

March .

T h e r ai n y se as o n
N lum ta t h e hot s eas o n ; April t o middl e o f May
, .

H tingra ta t h e p addy pl an ti ng s e as o n ; from middl e o f

,

May to t h e end of Ju ne .

M dyu ta t h e tim e when p addy is growi n g ; J uly t o

,

Se pt e mbe r .

T h e mo n th s which are s trictly lu n ar mo n th s are cou nted

, ,

from o ne ne w moon to t h e ne xt Any divi s io n i nto week s .

is n o t fou n d T h e mon th s are nearly all n am ed afte r trees

.

o r flowe rs blo ss omi n g at c e rt ai n se as o ns Th e r e al K achi n .

n am es are in m an y loc aliti es h ardly k n own as t h e S h an

n am e s are in ordin a ry use T h e K achi n n ames are t h e .

followin g :
K ala O ctobe r t h e tim e wh en t h e k dla flowe r is o ut
, ,
.
 M a1 1 N ove mb e r wh en
, , the white 1n d jt flowe r is blos
so ming .

M aga , Decembe r
wh en t h e thorny maga s hed s it s l eaves , .

H kru J anu ary wh en th e re is e n ou gh for all to e at

, , .

R a F e bru ary wh e n t h e ra tre e is buddi n g

, , .

Wu t March wh e n t h e wut cree p e r is bloss oming

, , .

S h dla April wh e n t h e s h dla tre e is in blo ss om

, , .

f a k m M h d f h hot o
’

t u a y t , e e n o t e se as, n .

S h dngan Jun e t h e mo n th O f fe ve rs an d dis e as e

, , .

S h i mari July t h e w e t mo nth

, , .

Gup s hi Augu s t wh en t h e we t mo n th is doubl ed

, , .

Gup tung Se pt e mbe r wh e n t h e we t month s are at th eir

, ,

h eight .

If t h e K achi n n am e s are n o t u se d as is t h e c ase in m any ,

loc ali t ies t h e S h an n ames t ak e th e ir pl ace Th es e are

,
.
,

be ginni n g with O ctobe r L anjing L ungam L unsam e t c , , , , .

,

t h e word h m mon th with t h e n um eral s up to twe lve

, In , .

t h e N orth e rn S h an S t at es th es e n am es are e verywh e re u se d .

T h e hours of t h e day i ndic at e t h e progress o f t h e s un

and w ell k n own n atur al ph e n om e n a C ounti ng from mid .

night we h ave

Yup lung 1 2 o clock tim e Of d ee p s l ee p

’
, , .

Hpung ts in se 1 2 a m time o f t h e q ui e t mornin g breez e

—
,
. .
, .

U goi 3 a m t h e cock crow

, . .
, .

Ginh ta wng pm 4 a m t h e ri se Of t h e morni ng s tar , . .

, .

M anap 5 a m t h e time o f d awn

, . .
, .

J a n p m 6 a m , s un ri se . .
,
.

"an dahkaw mi lung 7 a m t h e s un as ce nded t h e l engt h , . .

,

o f a we avi n g bo ard .

"an ts ing law ts an 8 1 1 a m foren oo n when t h e s un is ,

-
. .
, ,

quite high .

j a n p u ng d in g g a 12 m t h e s un c leaveng t h e t o p Of, .
,

t h e h ead .

J a n k dy a u 1 2 p m t h,e s un o n t h e d es c en t
-
recline
. .
, , .

”
J a n k d d a ng 3 —
4 p m t h e s
, un t umbli ng down r apidly . .
, ,
 J an nmaw mi rawng 5 p m t h e s un at t h e h e ight of a , . .
,

may pol e-
.

fan sha ng mddu 6 p m t h e s un about t o go down , . .

, ,

to en e t r .

N rim 7 , p m . .
, th e ven i ng dus k
e .

S h ang tawn , 8 9 —
p m t h e tim e when
. .
, all are ins ide
th e ir hou s es .

Pran ta wm 1 0 1 1 ,
—
p m . .
, t he time wh en t he youn g pe opl e
a mu se the mse lves .

It s hould b e rem e mbe red th at t h e K achin s id ea o f ’

time is e xcee dingly v ague and in d e fin ite H is ye ar is .

,

roughly s pe aki n g from o ne p addy h arves t to an oth er , ,

h is mon th from n e w moo n to n e w moo n an d h is day from ,

s u n ri s e to s u n ri s e Th e y c an n e ve r t e ll th e ir ages with
.

cert ain ty and in reg ard to Old p e rs o ns th e y m ake t h e wild es t

,

gu es s es An y o ld man be twee n se ven ty and e ighty is

.

alw ays thought o f as a hu ndre d y ea rs Old T h e f act th at it .

is an ho n or to be ve ry Old h as s ome thin g t o do with thi s ;

but as the re are n o w ays o f recko n i ng e xcept k ee pi ng in
mi n d t h e h arves t se as o n it is e as y to see how th ey s oo n ,

be come co n fu s ed An ythin g like an i nte rcal ary mo nth o r

.

p eriod is u n kn own and th ey h ave n o fix e d n umbe r of d ays,

in th e ir y e ar Whe the r the re are twe l ve o r thirt ee n n ew

.

moo ns be tween o n e h arves t and t h e ne xt is n e ve r thought

o f th e y S imply follow t h e comi n g and goi n g Of t he se as o n s
,
.

O f t h e s t ars t h e K achi n s h ave a s upe rs titiou s dread

and th e y n e v e r d are t o cou n t th e m o r poin t at th e m wi thout ,

s om e w ay of circu mlocutio n T h e mo rnin g s tar (manap .

h w ) d h pl i d ( k m d j ) t h o ly t r
'

g in ta n g a n t e ,
e a e s ru a n are e n s a s ,

n a m e d Thi
. s l as t co n s t e ll a tio n w h e n at a c e rt ai n he ight , ,

is re g ard ed as i ndi c ati n g t h e tim e wh e n p addy sh ou ld

be s own .

M easu res Meas ures o f le ngth are as follows

.

L aniyin chyang t h e l e n gth o f t h e bl ack o f t h e nail

,
.

L dywng tsen o ne finger s width

’
.
,

ka wng pren t w o fin ge rs wid t h

’
t , .
 INTELLECTUAL DEVELO PMENT . 1 03

M dli pren four fi n gers width ,

’
.

t pe mi t h e wi dth o f t h e h an d
, .

Gumdun from t h e en d o f t h e thumb t o t h e

, e nd o f the
fi rs t fi n ge r .

Gumchyan, p an re ckoned from t h e thumb

or l dh kam , a s ,

t o t h e e n d of t h e s e co n d fin g e r .

L atup dawng from t h e e lbow to t h e kn uckl es o f t h e fist

'

, .

D awng mi from t h e e lbow to t h e se cond finger s tip

,
’
.

S inda go from t h e fi nge r s tip to t h e middl e o f t h e ch es t

’
.
,

L dla m a f athom
Me as ures of c ap acity are n ow ad ays de t erm
.
,

med by t h e
s t an d ard s in t h e S h an Chi n ese or Burm an loc aliti es n e are s t
,

t o th e m T h e s m all an d t h e l arge b as k e t m ay b e u se d
.

in t h e s ame pl ace ; e ach commun ity is at lib e rty to h ave

it s o wn s t an d ard s an d t h e h e adm an alo ne c an in te rfe re
if t h e meas ure s are n o t of t h e prescribe d c ap acity Th e .

gener ally acce pte d m e as ures are as follows :

L atup mi o ne h an dful t h e h an d nearly close d
—
, , .

L apai mi o ne Op en h an dful t wo latup

, , .

L dku mi as much as c an b e h eld in both h and s

, .

fare mi four h an dful s

, .

Bye mi four jdre, .

J ik mi four byi a fourth Of a b as ke t

, , .

Hpai mi t h e h alf Of a b as k e t ; two jih

,
.

D ang mi o ne b as ke t about o ne bus h ell

, , .

J aw mi t en b as k e ts
, .

Weigh ts T h e s tan d ard s in we ights are even more vari able

.

t h an tho se o f m e as ures Th e Chin es e an d S h an s c al es .

are u se d an d t h e Chi n ese b al an c e

, o r s tee l y ard is n ot ,
-
,

un commo n T h e followi n g are t h e ord in ary we i ghts

.

L em mi t h e we ight o f o ne malem a ki n d o f seed

, , .

D um mi a s to ne o r pi e ce o f m e tal e q u al t o t wo malem
,
.

Pe mi e qu al t o t wo dum
, .

M u mi t h e e igh t h o f a viss
, .

Gah kan t h e h alf o f a viss

, .

J oi mi o ne viss
, po un ds) , .
 104 THE KACH INS .

M oney coun ti ng mon e y t h e K achi n s follow t h e

. In
S h an s .Coppe r coin w as form erly n o t acce pte d in t h e
hill s but n o w it is t aken e ve rywh e re T h e use of Chi nes e .

bullio n is n o w a thi n g o f t h e p as t but a good de al o f ,

u n coine d S ilve r is s till foun d Many o f t h e more wealthy .

h ave b ags O f it con ceal e d in s afe pl aces T h e n ames .

.

o f pi ec es of cur
. r e ncy vary s ome wh at is differe nt loc aliti es ,

but t h e followi ng will be acce pted an d u nde rs to od e ve ry

K a mi , o ne p ie
.

Pe mi, o n e anna .

M u mi two , bit an n as ; a t wo -
ann a .

H ti mi four ann as a four ann a bit

, ,
-
.

L ap mi o r gyap mi o n e rup ee ; in t h e S h an S t ates

;

call e d bya mi .

R awng mi t wo and a h alf ru pees

,
.

H kan mi t en rupees , .

Gahkan fifty rupees ; h alf a vis o f s ilver

,
.

J oi mi , hun dred rupe es ; o ne vi ss o f s ilver

o ne .

N umbers Th ere are d ifferen t n am es fo r t h e cardin als

.
,

but a K achin
'

1 t o 1 0 20 100 2 00 1 000 an d
, , , , ,

h as n o cl ear id e a o f n umbe rs abo ve a thou sand ‘

When .

h e wi s h es to co nve y t h e id e a o f anythin g i nnumer abl e

an d thu s in compre h e n s ibl e h e u ses t h e e xpr es s io n thou san d
, ,

an d te ns Of thou san d s (h kying mi mun mi) Fo r l arger .

figures h e borrows S h an o r B urm an te rm s b ut th ey convey ,

n o m ean i n g t o him wh ats oe ve r E ve n children w h o h ave

be en in s chool a n um
.

be r O f years fi nd it difli c ult to u nd er

s tan d wh at is m ean t b y a h un dre d thous and and a millio n
. .

E i t h er o nly s tan d s fo r s ome thin g th at c ann ot be counted - .

.

Pla n ts a nd medicine O ur hillm an h as n am es for mo s t o f

.

t h e thi n gs growi n g in t h e j un gl e H e u ses a n um b er ~of .

pl an ts roots an d herbs fo r m e dicin al purpo ses ; but m os t

,

Of his drugs he ge ts from t h e S han s and t h e Chinese It .

 INTELLECTUAL DEVELO PMENT . 1 05

is o nly in t h e c ase Of s ores ulce rs and t h e like th at h e , ,

I n more s e ve re c ases h e is a
“
appli e s r e m edi e s . f aith
”
h eal e r b e lie vi n g th at h is s acrifices and praye rs to t h e
,

s pirit s will bri n g t h e d es ire d h e lp I n E urop e an m edici n e .

h e h as a ve ry u n ce rt ai n f aith H e will try it wh e n e ve ry

.

thin g e l se h as fail ed A nd e ve n if h e takes it h e is lik e ly to

.

use t h e n ative mixtur es o n t h e s ly H e c an t s ee h o w th e re

’
.

c an be an y Virtu e in a s ug ar co at e d pill th at t as t e s s wee t -

an d pl e as an t as it go e s down H e w an ts s om e thin g th at
.

will choke him ; s ome thi n g t h e t as te of which will re m ai n

fo r at l eas t a w ee k T h e vi l e r t h e s tuff t h e more e ffe ctive it
.

is s ure to b e ; t h e wors e it t as te s t h e more s ati s fi e d h e is .

Among oth e r drugs t h e blood o f wild buffalo t h e gall, ,

Of a python t h e fat and g all Of t h e s low lori s cru s h ed

,
-
,

tige r s bo nes mu s k and t h e gall Of t h e be ar are es pe ci ally

’
, ,

valu ed in K achin ph arm acy .

Proverbs .L ik e oth e r ori e n tal s t h e K achi ns h av e e mbodi e d

t h e wis dom Of t h e ag es in a n umbe r Of prove rbs and
pithy s ayi ngs So m e o f the m are ve ry apt and to t h e poin t
.

an d carry a m e an in g e ve n in tran s l ate d form We give .

a fe w t h e origi n al s o f which are fou nd in t h e K achin

,

S pe llin g Book and in t h e Introduction t o t h e D ictio n ary .

T h e pri es t gr abs fo r a comb —

O i which h e h as n o n eed , ,

his h ead be in g s h aved ; s aid Of i n ordi n ate and u nre as o nabl e

gr ee d .

T h e C hin am an s Offe ring t h e fowl s h ead this be in g a

’ ’
—
,

rare d e licacy an d o n ly o n e in t h e di s h n o o n e o ut o f co urtes y ,

wi ll accept it and s o h e Can eat it him self

, .

I beli eve but o nly as I be li e ve a vi s itor whom it is

, ,
-

polite n o t to con tradict .

H avin g f all e n from t h e granary yo u r ai se t h e l add e r .

Meas ure t h e pig b efore you m ak e t h e b as k e t .

T h e pig e o n l e ft an d t h e crow took it s pl a ce .

Wh en th e l amp is lit you mus t exp ect in se cts .

T h e hummin g bird s e ggs are n atur ally s m all

’
.

Hit t h e horn t h e e ar q uive rs

, .
1 06 THE KACH INS .

If b amboo o r wood is crooked it c an be seen a crooked ,

min d n o o n e c an see .

Wh e n s ayin g Work work I alone he ar it ; wh en calli n g

, , , ,

Com e and e at a flock o f mo n ke ys g ath e r

, .

T he re is a b az aar for s e llin g s alt and fi s h but n o ne ,

fo r s e lli ng broth e rs an d s i s te rs .

It is for a s l ave t o Obe y for a go at to e at fe rns

, .

R ocky pl aces are t h e n atural hom e for go ats .

N o o n e c an ch an ge h is colour an yo n e c an re pe n t , .

Wh en children tr ad e men lo se , .

An yone c an set fire to a prairi e or kill a Sh an .

H e who s e es a trout will le t t h e cr ab go .

Everyone s ees t h e hol e in t h e oth e r m an s b ag n o o ne '

,

sees it in his o wn .

T h e p addy pl anti n g seas on we kn ow but m an s time

’
,

w e c ann ot te ll .

T h e l an gu age is rich in thi s kin d O f s ayin gs an d is e as ily

ad apte d to S imilie s an d figur ati ve fo rm s of s pee ch .

Riddles .
( Gu m w a i g )
a R iddl e s an
. d v e il e d s ayi n gs are
al s o n um e rou s ; but it is n e c es sary to kn ow K achi n cu s tom s

an d w ays in ord e r to u n d e rs t an d th em We will gi ve .

o nly t w o or three e x ampl es o f t h e mos t ch aracte ri s tic :

Wh at is t h e e l eph an t always in a p addy field T h e p addy
? -

hou se .

Wh at is alway s cryi n g wh en me n p ass ? Th e door .

Wh at h as porcupi ne hol e s by t h e s hore lin e ? Th e n o se .

“
Wh at is always c arryin g arou nd a b as ke t o f b amboo
s pik es T h e porcupi ne .

Wh at is it th at s ay s Moth er I will go firs t

, , Th e h and
s pi ndl e re fe rri n g to t h e cu s tom o f t h e women always t o
—

use t h e h an d s pin dl e (hk dbang) as th e y w alk al On g

-
.

A gre at de al Of t h e d iffi culty in unde rs t anding n ative conver

s atio n is due to ign or an c e of cu s tom s an d u s ages c o ns t an tly

allud e d t o . A K achin t akes it fo r granted th at yo u mus t

kn ow all h e kn ows about the ir w ays and h abit s family ,

re l ations and e ve rythi n g e l se His world is in very many

.

res pect s e ntire ly t h e oppos ite o f ours ; but h e mu s t be

 INTELLECTUAL DEVELO PMENT . 1 07

e xcuse d fo r be i ng abl e t o u nd e rs t an d thi s Fe w E uro

no t .

pean s e ve r l earn t o u n d ers t an d t h e n ative min d ; th ere is .

alw ay s a gulf fix e d b e tw ee n t h e e as t an d t h e w es t It is
.

n o t s urpri s i n g th at t h e whit e man wi t h his s tr an ge w ays

,

an d cu s tom s s o di ffe re n t from anythi n g t h e ori e n t al mi n d

h as e ve r co nce i ved is fore ve r a riddl e and a my s te ry e s pe

, ,

c ially to o ur u n civiliz e d hillm e n with th e ir n arrow vi s io n .

and p e rs p e ctive It t ake s lo n g y e ars an d s tudy for a

.

E urop e an to ge t s o f amili ar with t h e n atives th at h e c an

thi n k as th e y thin k and u nd e rs t an d th e ir point Of vi e w .

But howe ve r clo se h e gets th ere will always be s ome thi n g

,

th at will es cap e him s om e things th at h e will n e ve r fully

,

u nd ers t and .

ti
t t
ie s?
 CHAP T ER XI .

MYT H O LO GY AN D TRA DITI O NS .

Like all primitive p eopl e o ur K achins are fond o f s tori es

an d s tory te lli n g
-
If all the ir traditio n al lore w as coll e cted
.
,

it would m ak e a volume s tran ge and i n t eres ti n g The y .

do n o t h ave t h e im agi n ation of t h e Arabi an N ights n o r ,

t h e i ns ight i n to t h e my s t e ri e s o f n ature s hown in In di an

myths ; but the y c arry with th e m traces o f t h e e arlie s t
atte mpts o f primiti ve man to accou n t for t h e world arou n d

him Ne arly e ve ry i n cid ent exp e ri e n ce and ph en om eno n

.
,

Of life c an be illu s tr ated and e xpl ai ne d by s om e s tory ,

tradition o r myth i ndicating th e ir faith id eas and c o n

, ,

c e p t i o n o f n ature In m an y o f th e m we trace a clo se

.

rel atio ns hip t o s imil ar s tori e s amo n g oth e r trib es and r aces .

S om e h ave tr ave ll e d a lo n g ro ad be fore th ey ass um ed t h e

s h ape t h e K achi n s tory t e ll e r gi ves th e m
-
In all we c an see
.

h o w t h e hum an mi n d n aturally tr ave l s alo n g c e rt ai n

ch annel s and h o w t h e phen ome n a o f n ature e ve rywhere
,

rece i ve n e arly t h e s am e e xpl an atio n wh en man h as n othi ng

t o guid e him but h is limite d ob se rv atio n an d un tr ai ne d
im agi n ation We c ann ot in a s ingl e ch apte r do ju s tice
.

t o all th e ir tr aditi o ns and curiou s t al es but we will s e l e ct ,

a fe w th at will h e lp u s to u n d e rs t an d K achi n be li ef in

re g ard to t h e p as t and pres ent t h e s e e n an d t h e u nsee n

, .

Mo s t o f th ese s tori es I h ave h ad pri nt ed in t h e K achin

S p e llin g Book t h e firs t Re ad e r an d In troductio n to t h e
, ,

Gramm ar an d D iction ary .

The C rea tion Th e s av age is as i n te res te d as t h e man

.

Of s cie n ce in t h e b e ginn i n g O f thin gs Wh en t h e gre at .

religiou s d an ce (mdnau) is gi ve n t h e profe ss ion al s to ry,

te lle r jaiwa) reh e ars es t h e whol e cre ation l e ge nd as h an d ed

,
-

down by t h e K achi ns It is told in rhythmic s ome tim es

.
,

trul y poe ti c l an gu age We c an give it h ere o nly in a

, .
1 10 TH E KACH INS .

c on d ense d form O riginally before t h e be gi nn ing th ere

.
, ,

w as n o h eave n o r e arth Th ere e xi s ted o nl y wind cloud s

.
, ,

a nd a mys t e riou s fe m al e h alf h um an an d h alf avi an From .

th ese agen cies were brought forth by a g ener ative process

t h e firs t co s mic m atte r an d t h e primitive s pirits T h e firs t .

s pirits K ringkrawn and K ringnawn

, brought forth t h e firs t ,

s e ve n na ts ( low e r form s o f s pirits ) t h e n am es o f which ,

are born e by t h e firs t s e ve n s o ns in e ve ry f amily wh e re

th at n umbe r o r more are born T h i s mys terious p air .

a l s o g av e b irth t o t h e fir s t r eptil es b ird s an d wild anim al s

, .

H avi n g thu s in e i ght s ucc ess ive birth s gi ve n e xi s te nce t o

t h e primitive na ts an d firs t an irn al l ife t h e earth its e lf ,

w as given form and ord e r but t h e prese n t divi s io n Of ,

l an d an d w ater c am e much l ate r T wo great S pirits .

,

C hy dnun and Wais h a n n o w app e ared — ex ac t l y from wh ere

,

is n o t c l e ar C hy anun g ave birth t o n ine n e w na ts and

’

.
,

at nin e s u c cess ive birth s brought forth t h e e l e m en t al p arts

o f o ur world Afte r e ach birth s h e ag ain bec am e a

.

“ ”
m aid en (or a virgin) an d h aving n ine tim es re turned ,

t o m aid enhood s h e bore Hpung Un and Hpung A n after

, ,

”
which s h e be c am e t h e mo t h er Of t h e nin e brothers ,

wh o pl ay a v e ry importan t p art in K achin tr aditio ns At .

l as t s h e g ave birth to a mo ns trou s bein g n am ed N inggawn

wa M dgam T h e mo t h er was in bi rth p ain fo r se ve n y ears
.
-
,

and h e h e ld at h is bir t h a gr e at h amm er an d a p air o f

t on gs .
(In C hy dnun we h ave a pe rs o n ific atio n Of t h e life
producin g process o f n ature ) N ing awn wa with t h e tool s .
,

i n his pos s essi o n g ave t h e prese nt form and s h ape t o K achi n

,

l and H e be g an at M djoi S hingra Bum (th e Eden o f K achin

.

t raditio n) an d h as t o h is cre dit o nly t h e territory e as t Of

,
“
t h e Irraw addy as far s outh as t h e L oi s ip s am t he thirty ,

mou nt ain s jus t s outh o f K utk ai H avi ng finis h ed t his

, . ,

n e ve rth e l es s tr e m e n dou s t as k h e pl ann ed t o build a bridge

,

a cro ss t h e Irr aw addy a fe w mil es n orth Of Myi t kyi na But .

”
t he n ine broth e rs o ut o f malice o r e n vy be caus e o f
,

t h e great achi e vem ents o f the ir really you ng er bro t h er ,

c aus e d t h e work t o cease and N inggawn wa se nt th e Floo d

,
.
 MYT HO LO G Y AND T RAD IT IO NS . 111

H avin g give n birth t o N inggawn wa h is moth er ( Chydnun)

brought forth a gre at pumpki n which t h e O mni s ci ent
”
( app arently t h e l as t o f C hy dnun s s ons) divid ed
’
O ne , ,

in to two p art s afte r t h e d e ath o f t h e mo t h e r From t h e .

p art t o t h e right t h e firs t man w as cre ated from t h e left ,

h alf c ame t h e firs t wom an Thi s h appy p air dwelt at

.

t h e c e n tr al p art o f t h e e arth by a be autiful mou nt ai n

,

created from t h e h ead Of C hy dnun Thi s in bri ef is t h e .

K achin creation s tory Vari atio n s and local colouri ngs

.

are fou n d r e fle ctin g S h an o r Chi n ese i nfl u e n ce but thi s ,

mu s t b e e xpe cte d where t h e o n ly authority is an oral

tradition and e ve ryon e is allowe d full libe rty in im agin a
t io n an d f an cy . Th e whol e cre atio n s tory give n in it s
min ute d et ail s would fill a s m all volum e We give h ere .

a fre e tr ans l at io n o f t h e i n troductory p art as re h e arse d by

a h igh pri es t
-
jaiwa) at e xception ally gre at o ccas io ns .

Form e rly t h e he avens high we re no t ,

Th e s t abl e ea rth h ad n o e xi s te nc e .

Wh e re s ince were fix ed th e he avens high ,

T h e fl ee ti n g cloud alo ne appea red .

Wh e re no w t h e s olid e arth is seen ,

T h e fairy fowl alo ne w as fou n d

-
.

T h e flee t ing c lo ud in h as te d es c e nd e d
Coverin g t h e fowl s S hort t ail .

In h as t e S h e bore at o n ce g ave b irth

, ,

S om e thin g like a wicke r b as ke t w as born

-
,

S om e thi ng lik e a cap s u l e o f a plan t .

S h e fill e d t h e b as ke t p ack e d t h e caps ul e

, ,

It bec am e t h e si z e o f a w aite r ,

In circumfe ren ce as a fanni n g tr ay -

.

Thu s t h e cloud na t E arth appe ared ;

T h e Earth Of t h e F airy fowl be c ame
-
.

Th e n was born K ringkrawn ,

And afte r h im K ri ngnawn .

The n th e fl ee tin g cloud e xpired ,

All exis ting l ands it heard ,

 But clo s e to h e aven hu n g t h e droopin g cloud s .

T h e F a iry fowl al s o e x pire d

'

-
.

Inform e d are e xi s ti ng l an d s ,

But th en app e are d t h e bird L ats aw

’
’

bird L dts aw see m s to be a K achin pho enix but n o

'

Th e ,

on e s ee m s to k n ow d e fi n it e ly i t s hi s tory Ju s t as t h e r ai n .

givi n g clo ud s t ake t h e pl ace Of t h e fi rs t origi n al cloud

’

S O thi s m ys te riou s bird app e ars wh e n t h e firs t fowl e xpir es .

Again w e s e e t h e tre n d tow ards p ers o n ific atio n .

Th e Grea t Flood (S h dn S h ding) , T h e K achi n vers io n.

Of thi s almo s t u n ivers al s tory is t h e follo win g S om e time .

af te r M inggawn we h ad fi n i s h e d h is cr e ative work and

appoi n t e d dwe lli n g pl ac es for t h e diffe r e n t r a ce s h e s t art ed ,

t o build a hug e s ton e bridg e across t h e Irraw addy t h e ,

fo und ation o f which c an s till be se en a fe w mil e s n orth

o f Myitkyi n a H is n i n e broth e rs
. alre ady m e ntioned , ,

move d with e n vy b e cau se o f t h e gre at achi eve me n ts of th e ir

you nge r brothe r d ete rmined to undo t h e work SO they
, .

came o ne day and s aid to him Y our mother is dead

.
“
, ,

”
re turn hom e .Thi s did n o t se riou s ly troubl e him as h e ,

thought it would be e as y to find a s te p moth e r H avi n g -

.

fail e d t h e fi rs t tim e t h e broth e rs mad e a seco nd atte mpt ,

“ ”
s ayin g , Y our fath e r is d e ad com e b ack , Thi s c au s ed .

him gr eat s orrow and h is roy al h e art w as fill ed wi t h

”
an ge r, as h e r ealiz e d th at n o o n e could t ak e t h e pl ac e

o f a f ath e r. H e cru s h e d in h is wr ath an adj ace nt mou n tain

an d r e turne d hom e Arrivi n g at t h e p al ace h e foun d
.

both fathe r and moth e r well and h earty Re alizin g th at h e

. .

h ad b e e n d e ce ived h e d e t e rmi n e d to t ake ve n ge an ce o n

,

h is broth e rs H e c au s e d a gre at d e luge in te n di n g t o

.
-

e xti n gui s h e v e ry form O f lif e T h e broth er s howe ve r w e re

.
, ,

n o t drown ed but w e r e aft e rw ard s kill e d by a vipe r

, But .

all oth e r hum an be i ng s we re kill ed e xce pt t w o orph an s who

es c ap e d in a l arg e oval S h ap ed drum Th e y took alo ng

, .

n i n e cock s an d n i ne s t ee l n ee dl es A n ee dl e w as dropped
.

and a cock le t lo se each p ass i n g day O n t h e ni n th day . ,

 H
MYT O LO GY AND TRAD IT O NS I . 113

t he y he ard t h e needl e ri ng against t h e s tones and t h e ,

las t c ock c ro w The n t h ey k ne w th at t h e eart h w as

.

dry O ne Of t h e orph ans was so m e time after th ei r es c ape

.

k ill ed by a ferociou s d e mo n T h e oth er o ne m arri e d a

.

h alf—d e mon n amed N dnghku t (s moke) The y h ad a child .

w hich w as kill ed by a cru e l s pirit n am ed t iung wh e n , ,

th e mo t h e r was abs en t from home T h e s pirit pre p are d .

t h e live r fo r t h e moth e r to eat an d t h e bo dy was choppe d

,

in to s m all pi e ces an d s catte re d ove r an adjoin i n g fie ld .

From thi s s t ran ge see d a ne w race grew up s ome wh at ,

d ifferent from t h e an te diluvi an t h e o ne n o w in h abitin g ,

t h e world .

Th e st ory o f t h e origi n o f t h e n e w race runs as follow s in

fie ld are absen t T h e t wo orph an s m arrie d an d h ad

t he .

a child When Old en ough t o be weaned t h e child was

.
‘

left in t he care Of an Old man whil e t h e p aren ts we re o ut at

.w ork Th e child cri e d for t h e mother an d t h e o ld man
.

.s ai d Wh at if I cut up (lit mine) t h e child and s c atter

, .
,

( lit , s o w) t h e pie ces at t h e n ine cross ro ad s

. T h e c h ild -

un d er s t an din g t h e m e ani n g of hi s word s ke p t q uie t B ut .

o n e day t h e Old man c arri e d o ut h is fearful thr e at H avi ng .

di s po se d o f t h e pie ces at t h e cro ss ro ad s h e took the -

,

live r an d s om e o f t h e in tes tines an d pre p are d a broth ;

t o d e c e ive t h e moth e r h e co vere d a lo w s tool with t he
'

g arm en ts o f t h e child When t h e moth e r re turned after

.

d ark sh e as k ed fo r h er child Th e Old man s aid

'

. Your ,

child is as l ee p ; s it down and eat thi s broth and I will brin g

”
it T h e m o th er did as s h e w as told H avi n g fi ni s h ed h er
’

. .

”
m Eal t h e o ld man told h er Yo u h ave eate n your child
, ,

a n d in form ed h er wh at h e h ad do n e
. Th e moth e r in .

”
d esp air w ent to t h e ni ne cro ss ro ads Th en s he saw th at
'

-
.

from h er child h ad grown up n ine different r aces She

'

~ '

c am e t o t h e firs t and exc l aim ed

”
'
O h my child " Th i s , ,

O ne s aid Yo u have e aten o ur in t es tines and live r we

'

, ,

rare afraid of r S h e cam e t o t h e sec o ndfi re peat ing

"

1 14 w I THE KAC H INS . . s

o ne turn s howe d th at th ey w ere afraid o f h er and did

in ,

n o t r e g ard h e r as t h e tru e moth e r T h e n in s adness an d .

s orrow s h e d e p arte d to th e cou n t ry whe re t h e s un go es

'

'

down But be fore S h e l eft s h e ins tructe d the m h ow t o

'

s ac rific e t o h e r in case th e y be cam e afli ic t ed wi t h di se ase

'

”
T hi s is t h e reas o n w h y n o w all men m ake offe rin gs
t o t h e ja nhku t h e S pirit c au s in g bowe l troubl e
'
-
, . 1

O rigin of death M an w as bo rn immortal but be c ause

.
,

O f a fo o li sh d es ire t o pl ay wi t h d eath an d d e c e ive t h e s pirit ,

”
holdin g t h e cord Of life ill ness o ld age and d ec ease , ,
‘

”
we re impos ed as a pun is hme n t by th e S pirit Of t h e S un .

T h e s tory which is o n e Of t h e mos t i n s tructi ve an d ch ar acter

,

iSt ic in K achi n tradition al lore is told in v arious w ays

'

.
,

I give it h ere m ainly as pri n ted in t h e K achi n Reader ,

,

di ffe rin g s om ewh at from t h e ve rs ion followed in t h e S pe lling

i t ails d e ath w as un kn o wn amo n g men Gras s and

n ne , .

wee d s o nl y died and there w as s imply an appe aran ce of

,

b uri al when th ey d ec aye d an d again be came dus t T h en

"
'
.
,

t h e great tr ees be g an t o grow Old and die l as t Of all

“
'

t h e mighty b any an but th e re w e re n o fu n eral ce re mo n i es ;

,

t h e tru n k r e m ai n e d above gfo und an d Was allow ed t o

d ecompo se and d ec ay Jus t about this tim e t h e firs t O ld .

and vene r ate d e l e ph an t dre w h is l as t breath in t h e mid s t o f

'

t h e j un gle all t h e an im al s Of t h e fores t ca m e i n mournin g

and s aid O h o ur gr an df at h e r O n ly t h e go at c ame and
‘

, ,

N o w t h e s un We nt up an d
“ ”
Ah my gr an d so n ",

down and e ve ry tim e t h e gre at luminary sank in t h e

,
”
wes t men said T h e s un is d ead an d went t o t h e l an d Of
, ,

t h e su n t o d ance t h e d e ath d an ce T h e oth e r ve rs io n -

.

h as it th at as th ere were n ine s uns t h e h eat w as unbe ar

,

abl e , and by Co mpl ai ni n g t o t h e s un na t o ne s un after -

t h e o t her was ex tinguis h ed u n til o nly o ne re m aine d The .

men at t he e xpiratio n o f each s un w en t and dan ce d t h e

in t h e try mankin d wis hing t o re turn t he atten ti on

s un -c o un , ,

pa id to t he m in vite d t h e s un nuts fo r a si mil ar perform an ce

,
-
 MYTHO LO G Y AND . T RAD IT IO NS . 1 15

in a hum an abod e T h e S pirit o f t h e s un wh o hold s t h e

,
.

”
cord o f life tes ting t h e cord fou n d it was no t broken
, ,

an d h e n c e kn e w th at n o o ne h ad di ed S till th e y all .

went and d an ced t h e d e ath d an ce all night lo n g In t h e

,
-
.

morn i ng when outs id e t h e hou se about to re turn the y

, ,

sa id to e ach oth e r We h ave d an ced t h e d e ath d an ce

,
-

all n ight lo n g but w e h ave s ee n n o corp se

, S O re e n t e ri n g .
-

t h e hou se th e y put bird lim e ( or wax ) o n th e ir fe e t an d -

as th e y d an c ed e ve rythin g s tuck t o th e ir fee t an d at

,

l as t w as e xpo se d a l arge s qu irre l with gl aze d e yes and ,

S hi n in g t ee dress ed up as a c orpse T h e s un s pirits .

-

n o w re turn e d t o t h e gr eat moth e r s pirit r e porti n g wh at

‘

“
th ey h ad seen Th en s aid t h e s un s pirit
. N O o n e h as -
,

di ed amo ng men but as th e y wi s h t o die le t t h e cord

,

Of life be cut fo r Old me n and wom en T h e oth e r ve rs io n .

is h e re more gr aphic ; wh e n t h e s un s pirits s aw t h e d e ce ptio n -

practiced o n th e m the y s aid Well if men wi s h t o die , ,

le t Old men and wom e n e xpire Re turn in g home th ey .

p ass e d t h e abode o f t h e h e adm an o f M djoi S h ingra t h e ,

ch ame l e o n wh o hold s about t h e s ame pl ace in K achi n

,

tr adition as t h e se rpe nt amo n g t h e Se mitic r aces H earing .

t h e ir foot s te ps h e as ked wh e re th e y h ad be en and wh at

-

th ey h ad do n e B e i n g i nforme d h e as ked
,
. An d wh at ,

”
did yo u d ecid e Th e y ans we red O ld p e opl e mu s t die , .

”
No s aid t h e ch ame l e o n S in ce you l eft my s o n A h toz , ,

rawng (t h e light be ar e r) h as di ed -
an d my d e cree is th at ,

Old and you ng mu s t die without dis tin ction ”

But e ven .

n o w men did n o t die as at pres en t A ve ry Old wom an .

,

M dri nang w as th e firs t t o die and th e y m ad e h er a

,

coffi n S h e told h er pe opl e

. When I die yo u will s ee ,

”
me di s appe ar by t h e corne r Of t h e fi re pl ace As s h e h ad -
.

told th e m s o it h app ened t h e m o m en t s h e di ed h er pe opl e s aw

h er di s appe ar by t h e corne r and be in g fright e ned th e y ran ,

t o t h e Oppo s ite s id e S ee i n g this s h e sa id . Are th en ,

my c hildren and gr andchi ldre n reall y afraid o f me ?

S h e th en dre w a s p irit ve il ove r th eir e yes an d s ince -
,

th en no human bei ng h as ever seen a dis embodied S piri t .

1 16 THE KA C HINS .

Th ere were no funeral cerem onies m ad e wh en M dri nang

Then d Gumna died and t hey i ntroduced t h e p ro

ang

ce e dings th at are no w cu s tom ary o n s uch occas io n s But .

th ey did no t kn ow wh at mu s i c to furn is h when d an ci n g

t h e d e ath d an ce
-
H e ari n g t h e O wl th e y c aught t h e id e a
.

”
Of t h e d ee p s ol e mn tones o f t h e th ree gongs
, Th ey .

”
did n o t kn ow h o w t o d an ce t h e s pear d an ce in fron t -

o f t h e hou s e but s ee i n g t h e hol e o f t h e mol e

, and h o w ,

h e arr an ge d hi s pi e ces o f roots th e y l e arn e d t o fi n i s h ,

wi th c ar e t h e s p e ar re prese n tin g t h e wealth an d pro s pe rity

o f t h e hou se ; W hile t h e s pe ar re prese ntin g t h e world o f
t h e d e ad is l e ft u n fi ni s h e d with t h e e n d s o f t h e b amboo
s p lits with which it is wou n d s ticki n g o ut in e ve ry dir e ction
, , .
.

Thu s t h e children o f d ang Gumna perfecte d t h e funeral

ce re mon ies H aving buried h er th ese ce re monies we re
.
,

Obs e rve d by Wahkyet wa and h is wife M dgawng kabang ,

mdjan Wh en th e y gr e w Old and we re ready t o d ep art

.

h en ce they ord e red th e ir children to bury the m wi t h t h e

,

n o w an c es tr al cer e mon i es an d cu s tom s Anoth er ve rs ion .

say s th at t h e d e ath d an c e an d t h e n o w acce pt e d cu s tom s

-

we re Obse rved for t h e fi rs t time when a c e rtai n d a wa

Pungngang e n d ed h is l ife .

The loss of the Fruit of L ife Wh en men h ad be come

.

mortal a n umbe r o f c attle came and devoure d t h e life

givi n g fruit which othe rwi se would h ave ke pt th e hum an
rac e immortal Whe n m anki nd compl ained t h e cattle pro
. ,

mise d t o be willin g al ways t o be sacrifi ce d in th e ir be h alf .

Thu s are c attle Offered as su bst itutes fo r men in case o f

i ll n ess o r oth e r c al amiti es .

The los t Book Th e st ory o f a l ost boo k is uni ver

. s al

amon g t h e illit erate r ac es o f B urm a Ju st wh at is be hin d .

t h e tra diti o n is imposs ibl e t o s ay but it may in t h e case ,

o f t h e K ar en s at l e as t r epres e n t a f ai n t e cho o f a hi gh er
, ,

form o f civiliz ati on in d ays gone by th an the y no w po ss es s .

Th e K achi n rend e rin g o f thi s i n te res tin g ep is od e is as follows .

When t h e world h ad been s e t in order and th e differ ‘

 H
MYT O LO GY AND TRAD IT IO NS . 1 17

M dgam , ft er h avin g buil t a house on t h e S h afang m o un

a "

t ain and a d an ci ng flo or o n t h e S umhpa n pl ain an d aft er

, ,

h avin g propiti ate d all t h e fates call ed t h e children o f ,

men toget h e r and inform ed the m th at no w h e was re ady t o

re turn t o h is great c en t r al p al ace T h e tri bes o f men .

i mplored him t o re m ain as without him t h e y would be

,

h elpl ess. Thi s req ues t h e coul d n o t gr an t but h e g ave ,

t o t h e wil d bo ar hi s tus k s an d t o t h e h o m bfl l it s gorge o us

,

plum age Like wi se fo r t h e h e lp o f m ank in d h e gave t o e ach

.

race a book T h e C hi nese rec e ive d a boo k o n p aper

.

t h e S h an s and B urm an s books Of p alm l e aves t o fore ign e rs -

,

h e al so g ave p ape r bo o k s but t h e Kachi ns rece i ved a

,

bo ok o f p archm en t O n t h e ret urn t h e recipien t o f t h e

.

Kachin book prep ared and at e it e ither t o appeas e his ,

h u n ger o r el se be cau se h e thought this t h e bes t w ay t o

preserve it (This po in t is n o t quite clear ) B ut at all
. .

e ve n ts since t h at day t h e K achin s h ave h ad n o writt e n

book ; t h e gre at pri es ts an d s t o ry telle rs keep it s contents in

-

t h e ir min ds ( lit in the ir s tom ach s ) and re peat it all at

.
,

t h e great fe as ts wh en it tak es three d ays and n ights t o

,

re h e arse it It co ntains t h e o nly au t h entic re cord o fcreatio n

.
,

t h e flood diffe re n t hum an r aces t h e origin Of t h e nuts

, ,

(s pirits ) and te ll s us all about th e ir work and wors hip

, .

Why the K ach ins are no t (spirit) worsh ippers Wh e n .

t h e grea t N inggawn wa o n ce c all e d all t h e r aces tog e th e r ,

t h e K achin me n brought with th e m t h e ordin ary l arg e

h ol e d wicke r b as ke t whil e t h e oth e r r aces brought the ir
,

c lo se d b as ke ts It h appene d th at this w as t h e time gold

.
,

S il ve r an d oth e r rich es w er e to b e di s tribute d t o t h e children

o f me n . S h an s Burm an s C hi nes e and fore l gn ers fill ed

, ,

the ir b as k e ts and c arri e d th e m hom e ; t h e gold and s ilver

fe ll o ut be t we e n t h e hol es o f t h e K achin b as k ets and ,

o nly t h e mor e worthl ess artic l es re m ain ed Thi s is t h e .

reas o n t h e K achin s are po or as compa r e d, w ith mor e

favored n ations O ne vers ion Of t h e s tory says th e

.

K achins carri ed only their bags o r h avers ack s and th at , ,

1 18 THE KACHINS .

a ccoun ts for t h e s m all amoun t Of mon ey a K achin possesses .

N e xt tim e t h e r aces w er e c all ed toge the r t h e K achin s

thought the y would profit by the ir forme r mi s fortun e ,

an d in s t ead Of carryin g t h e o rdin ary m an s b as k e t w e re

’

arm e d with t h e cl o se d b as k e t s c arri e d by wom e n Th e .

oth er r aces in s om e w ay were aware o f t h e p articul ar

n atur e o f t h e gift aw aiti n g t h e m and so c ame with ,

l arge hol ed wicker bas ke ts This time nats (s pirits) were

.

di s t ributed T h e K achin s b as ke ts were fill ed and t h e nuts

.
’

could no t es c ape whil e th e y dropp ed o ut through t h e hol es

,

as s oo n as poure d i nto t h e b as k e t s o f t h e oth e r n atio n s .

Th e K achi n lo ad w as e xc eedin gly h eavy an d th ey h ad ,

t o s top n o w an d th en alo ng t h e ro ad t o lighte n t h e burd en

by l e ttin g o ut s ome Of t h e ne ts But they reach ed home .

with about h alf o f t h e n umbe r T o th ese the y no w mu s t

.

O ffe r in the ir homes an d vi ll ages Th e othe rs mu s t be .

pro piti ate d whene ve r the y a re o n t h e ro ad as these s pirits ,

are e nc o un t red e verywh ere be i ng s om e wh at lo ne ly amon g

,

th eir so litary hill s or o n t h e pl ain s .

N atural ph enomena Everythin g in t h e realm o f n ature

.

h as a s up e rn atur al c ause and is attributed t o t h e agen cy o f

,

some powe rf ul d e mo n o r s pirit Rain and cloud s are c au se d

.

by t h e ce les ti al nat an d t h e reverbe r atio n o f t h e thund er is

,

t h e warn in g Of his Voice The re is n othi n g be fore which a

.

K achin s tands in greate r awe than th un der and lightn ing .

It is t o him expres s ive o f t h e greates t im agin able po we r

in t h e uppe r re gio ns T h e r ai nbo w comes from t h e mouth
.

in a whil e it com es o ut and t h e n t h e great s wi n g (n goi la -

tum ) appe ars

,
If t h e arc is compl e te it is no t likely to rain
.

”
t h e day following ; if it is broken o r ve ry fain t it may , ,

which is a safe progn os t ic atio n q uite

”
o r may no t r ain , ,

characte rist ic and typical of predictio ns in gene ral Another

,
.

ren derin g h as it th at t h e rai n bow is c aus e d by a great

wom an was hing a vari egate d s kirt t h e colors o f which

are runn in g Th is is s imple r than th e crab st ory and t o
.
 MYT HO LO GY AND T RAD IT IO NS . 1 19

An e c au sed by a tremendous frog tryi ng t o

cl ipse '
is
s wall ow t h e s un ( jan s h u mdyu ) o r t h e moo n (s h dta s h u
'

mdyu) In s om e loc alities es pe cially ne ar t h e Chin ese

, ,

.
,
.

fro ntie r go ngs are beaten gun s are fired and t h e pe opl e
‘

, , ,

”
c ry at t h e top Of t h e ir voices Le t it go " le t it go " t o ,

frighte n away t h e frog tryin g t o do aw ay with t h e lumi n ary

'

It I S always a won d e r h o w an eclipse can be fo ret o ld mon th s

and years ah e ad Wh en they are convi n ced th at it c an
.

e do n e th e ir o n e e xpl anatio n is th at t h e Sp irits mu s t in

'

h
'

S om e w ay m ak e it kn own t o t h e white man .

n earth qu ak e is e xpl ai n e d in at l e as t thr ee differe n t

A -

ways O ne tr adition s tates th at on ce upo n a time t h e

.

l arge bee tle (kindu nan ) c ame an d li ed t o t h e e arth s pirit ,

-

called man hpddam and said : Th e men o n th e t o p of

“
,

t h e ea
”
rth are all dead I am un abl e t o bury the m ,SO .

iii Ord e r t o find Out s h e s hook t h e pill ars o f t h e e arth .

A s omewh a t re l ate d rende ri n g is t h e followi ng :

“
O nc e
in a whil e wh e n thi n gs are t o o pea c eful an d qui e t o n
'

t h e s urf ac e o f t h e e arth t h e t e rres tri al s pirit s ays I , ,

wond e r if my childre n h ave forgotten me o r if the y are ,

all d ead S o in orde r t o satis fy h e rs elf S h e S h ak es h er

.

umbrella and t h e e arth fee l s t h e effect It is thus

, .

cu s tom ary t o cal l o ut at an earth qu ake D um s d ga ai law -

, ,

We re me mbe r yo u s ign ifyin g th at th ey are n e ith er d e ad

”
,

n o r gu ilty o f forg e tful n es s In so m e loc aliti es t h e move .

men ts o f s ubte rran e an al ligato rs are re g ard ed as t h e c au se ,

and t h e ori ent al s tory o f a mighty se rpen t c oil ed arou n d

t h e world bitin g it s o wn tail an d in t h e agony s h akin g

,

t h e foun d atio ns o f t h e world is al so told B ut th ese , .

last l egen ds c an be traced back t o S h an and Chinese

Sour ces T h e allig ator howeve r pl ays an importan t p art in
.
, ,

Kachin mythology but in thi s in s tance t h e firs t t wo s tori es

,

are n o doubt t h e mo s t t ruely K achi n .

"

So m e Of th ese s tori es see m t o be co mmon pro perty

amo n g all t h e hil l tribes Th e Man ipur N ag as are in .

t h e h abit o f s houtin g We are alive wh enever an earth

”
, ,

quak e h appens fo r abo ut t h e same reaso n th at moves a

,
120 THE KACHINS .

K achin t o call o ut We re me mber yo u

, Ins t ead o f t h e .

Kachin bee tl e so me N ag a t ribes acco rdi n g t o T S

, , . .

H ods o n attribute t o a gr as s hopper t h e di s m al s tory that

,

no men wer e l eft upo n t h e e arth I n fac t all th es e n ature

.

myths c an be trace d b ack t o a common origin if w e ,

c an o nly go b ack far e n ough T h e forces o f nat ure are

.

n atur ally d e ifie d What is so far be yond t h e power Of man

.
,

mus t be t h e wo rk o f s om e god s pirit o r d emo n T h e s tory

, .

o f t h e De mi urge is as Old and un iversal as mank ind ; it is

told in t h e words Of t h e s avage as well as in t he s cien ti fic

,

lan gu age Of civili zed man Primi tive man believes in t h e

.

won de rf ul and s upe rnatural witho ut a wo rd Of ques tionin g .

H e fee ls t h e n ee d o f so me expl anatio n Of wh at h e sees

and h ea s feel s and fears ; and t h e ass ur an ce th at be hind
r , .

it all dwells t h e po we r t h at rul es over all th e di vin itie s ,

and s p irits t h at e verywhe re en comp ass him is quite suifi ,

o

cient fo r h is in telligenc e Th at t h ese divini t ies are t h e

.

creation Of his o wn imagin ation never occurs t o him It '

is from S impl e s tori es o f t his kind th at many o f o ur

mo s t in teres ting l egen ds my t h s and t raditions have grown
,
, ,

T h e Gree k and t h e Ro man t h e H in du an d t h e Chinam an

, ,

see t h e sam e world and l eft ,t o t he m se lves e xplain it ,

very muc h t h e sam e w ay .

Th e s h ad e d p arts Of t he moo n come from t h e foli age

of an immense b an y an o r In di a rub ber tr ee , Thi s tree .

is h eld in re v er en ce o n accoun t o f it s S i ze an d t h e general

be li ef that th ey are inh abite d by na ts All t he tribes o f .

B urm a as well as mos t Of t he inhabitan ts o f India and

,

Ch in a re gard this us eful s had e tre e as s acred N O doubt

, .

B uddhis t influence h as h ad a gre at de al to do wi t h th is .

Th e un i v erse is divid ed i nto it s three n atur al divi s io ns

t h e h eav en s abo v e (M dts aw N is ang) t h e earth (D ngh ta go )
i , ,

an d t h e u nd e rworld (K a tsa n ga) But with man y t he .

.

“
K dts a n ga t h e far o ff cou n try
,
is id e n tical with ji woi ga
, ,

t h e ances tr al r e alms o r fatna ga t h e g at he ring pl ace of t h e

, ,

d ead But this qu es tion we W

. i ll dis c u ss more fully in
 MYTH OLOGY AND T RAD IT IO NS . 121

t he chapter on funeral ceremonies and t he belief in t h e

O rigi n f o the ( m annMM

a ) W e h av e in a
dance .

p re vio us ch a pter giv e n an a cc oun t o f thi s t h e grea t es t o f

K ac hin e ven ts H ow it originate d is told as follows : In
.

t h e be ginn in g no o ne kn e w t h e d ance O nly t h e s un nuts .

-

k n e w t h e sec re t and when t he y d an ced the y c alle d th e birds

c oun try an d learned th e '

d an ce . Returnin g they s aw a

sa id , L et us eat bird al s o be g an t o d ance

. T h e Npring
a nd said Thu s while p artak ing o f t h e fruit
"
Let us e at
, .

t h e birds d an ced t h e d an ce o f t h e s un cou n try Then -

.

imita ting th e bird s a man S hingra wa Gumja (t h e all

a roun d goo d man o f t h e c en tral co un try) and h is wife , ,

M ddai num Hpraw (t h e white celes ti al wom an) l earned ,

t h e d an ce and in trod uce d it amo n g me n .

The firs t man to die of snake bi te O n ce an es caped pris o ner -

.

d is covere d t h e ho l e o f a s nake Th at n ight h e slept with .

s om e s n ak e cha rmers and told th e m wh at h e h ad seen

-
.

Then th ey urged him S how us t h e pl ace ; but he repli ed

“
, ,
“ ” “
I am a fraid Then th ey s aid S how us t he pl ace and
.
,
”
y o u c an marry o ur s is t e r
. Bes ides urging t h e younges t
.
,

broth er to ok a b amboo an d cut it up in piec es abo ut a y ard

long in dicat in g that t hus h e wo ul d d eal with t h e s n ak e .

T h e ne xt old e r cut t h e pi e ces about a foot lo n g s ign ifying ,

h is s up erior co nte mpt fo r t h e re ptil e Th e oldes t t h e .

,

braves t o fa ll c ut t h e pi e ces a h an d breadth typifyi ng h o w

,
-
,

h e w ould mak e min ce meat o f any sn ake howe ver l arge

-
.

T hu s e xhibitin g th e ir powe r t h e man w as i ndu ce d t o S how ,

t he m th e pl ac e A s they s tood by t h e h o l e o ne o f t h e
.

s na ke s cam e o ut Th e old es t broth

. e r tri e d t o hit t h e s n ak e;

but th e s word fiew i t o pi e ces T h e oth er s fared n o be tte r . .

Be in g thus di s armed t he broth ers were drawn in to t h e

hol e and kill e d From th at time o n men h ave d ie d fro m
.

-
H ow .

fi é r was d iscovered . O nc e upo n a '

time t wo me n
1 22 m 7 THE R A C H IN S .
‘

s id e o f a river n am ed H krang h ka Tryin g to cross N uhz lang

.
,

w as carri e d down s tre am b ut K u mh tai i s uccee d ed ; and eve nt

'

- '
.

11m re ach e d t h e pl ace o f t h e fire Th ere h e s aw t wo

'

z
na ts in hum an S h a pe n amed N Tu and N H tu man and wife , .

T h e weath e r w as cold an d fee li n g t h e h eat from t h e fl ame h e

as ke d th e m t o S how him t h e se cr e t o f t h e fire They .

co ns e n ted and promise d th at if e ver t h e fi re wen t o ut in h is

home o r vi ll age a coupl e bearing th eir nam
,

, es s ho uld b y
' N
rubbin g b ambo o pi eces togethe r b e abl e t o p roduc e fres h ’ .

fire . K umh tan d e p art e d with h is se cre t and after s ome

time foun d his lo s t comp an ion in a vill age w h ere fire
'

h ad n e ve r bee n s een H e g ath e re d s om e wood and ki ndl ed

.

a fire but be i n g i n e xpe ri en ce d th ey se t t he whol e vill age o n

,

fire . From thi s tim e o n s uch accid en ts h ave ev e r h appen ed .

The fi rs t ma n burned to dea th S om e tim e after t h e

.
‘

incid ent ju s t des cribe d t h e ch il dre n o f t h e s win e were

,

prep ari n g a fi shin g dam Th e rat catch ers and fish c atchers
-
.
- -

(all o f th e m na ts) we re al s o the re Th en said N inggawn .

“
'

we to t h e children o f men Yo u go and c atch t h e fis

, .

Th e rat catch e rs and t h e othe rs h eard it and afte r a

-
,

ce rt ain M auh te wa had crosse d th e bridge th ey se ve red

th e bridge broke and flo ated down o n t h e dam Th ere a .

‘

ce rt ain widowe r sat dryin g h is c l oth by a fire and t h e ,

timbe r o f t h e broken bridge caught fire and Mauh te wa

pe ris hed Afte r tha t t h e house o i a rich family caught fire
'

an d se v eral p eri s h ed t h e s p irit of M auh te wa h as eve r

-

s in ce been abro ad an d is imp l i cate d in e ve ry accid en t al fire .

From these l egend s h ave originate d th e p arti cul ar cu s toms

o bs e rved in t h e case o f a fire After a ho use h as burned
.
,

e ve ry fire in t h e v ill ag e is e xt in gui s h ed A c e rt ain in divid .

u al impers o nates t h e tr aditio nal Mauh te wa With a .

s mo k i n g pipe in h is mouth and a bag fu ll o f as h es fro m

-

t h e burned house in his h an d h e g oes aroun d th e ruined

,

house procl ai min g th at h e is Me uk ie we t h e nat of acc iden t al '

or inc en diary fire Co mple ting t he fo urth ro und h e is

.
 MYTH OLOGY ‘

AN D T AD T O R I I NS . 123

driven away with s to nes and s ticks a nd ch as ed t o th e

neares t s tream wh e re h e drop s h is b ag o f as h es 3 pl aci ng ,

l arge s to nes o n it A vesse l co nt aini ng wate r is buri ed

'
'

‘ -
‘

‘
in s ome hill ne ar t h e e n tran ce Of t h e vill ag e so as to
k ee p t h e fire s pirit away
-
A pri es t is in t h e m e an tim e
.

propiti atin g t h e g en iu s Of fire th at ought t o be a fri end . ,

” ~ ~
but h as proved to b e an en e my Whe n all is re dy a
a .
,

m ann ame d N Tu an d a wom an n am e d M a H m are se l ecte d ,

in accord an ce wi th t h e i n s truction Of t h e s pirits at H krang

’

h ka. The y rub piec es o f b amboo togethe r and thu s pro

du ce fres h fi re From this fire all t h e family h e arths are
.
"
‘

re kin dl ed
.
(As an N Tu may al s o be c alled Tu L a m and ,

a Ma H tu may go by t h e n am e o f H tit L a m the ir n am es ,

are al s o give n in thi s s tory as Tu L a m and H mL a m) .

A s om e wh at differe n t c e re mo ny is followed in c ase as ,

is quite cus t o m ary t h e s ite o f t h e des t ro yed wh o use is

,

s pri nkl ed
. In th at c ase t h e procee din gs are t h e followi n g
A wate r ditch lin e d with pl an t ai n S hee ts is m ad e from t h e
h igh e r s id e O f t h e S ite T h e w ate r ru ns down to t he low er
.

s id e wh e re M auh te is s t andin g H e is dress e d in red with a .

,

s moki n g cig ar m ad e o f pl an tain l e aves in h is mouth ; h e

holds a fire bran d in o ne h an d and a s m all fowl ti ed t o

-

a s tri n g in t h e o t h e r When t h e pri es t is through with

.

his i n c an ta tio n s h e t urns t o M auh te an d as k s

, Wh o are ,

”
yo u ? M e uk ie re plies :
I am Mauh te t h e he ro with th e broken s word
, ,

I h ave taken t h e broken s word and killed a man ,

”
I lighted my cigar and put fire t o a house .

Then h e goes around t h e hou se se ven times A t t h e .

se ven th tim e t h e vill age pe opl e w h o h ave be en lyin g in ,

w ait fo r him ru s h toward s him and say

, S o yo u are ,

Me uk ie ? Yo u fired t h e house did yo u Then the y ,

“ ”
drive h im O ff with s pears m ad e o f ree d s H e ru ns t o .

so m e r avine wh er e h e drops h is fi re brand

, H e is the n -
.

s trip pe d o f h is red clothin g and his cig ar is tak en a way ,

from him All Of it is thrown into t h e s tream and th e party

.

re turns h o m e .
1 24 THE KACHINS .

A holiday is always de clare d afte r a fire w hen

o ne-day

n o work m ust be done and t h o se wh o fee l so i nc line d

,

propiti ate t h e fat es ”

But t he re is c o nsid erable di vers ity
.

i n re g ard t o ce re mo ni es Obs erved o n s uch occ as io ns ,

a n d m an y l o c aliti es h ave so me items all t heir o wn But .

th ere is always s om ethin g conn ec ted with th e l egend of

M auh te and h is doin gs In him we h ave a pers o nifi c ation of
.

th e fire S pirit vi e we d as an enemy and n o t a friend

-

O f man .

The fi rs t men killed by acciden t . Lo n g ago ce rtain

a

man na me d t twi h ad a s o n and a d aughter . There lived

a s l o t wo m ed res pe cti vely L dbyu and L dmyam
men na , , .

T h e fath er w an te d t h e l as t nam e d fo r h is so n in law but t h e - -

,

d augh t e r favored L dbyu and h e be c ame h er hus b and At ,

t hi s j un cture a wi nge d mons t er n amed t kwi Yawng

c apt ur e d an d c arri e d Off t h e wom an T he hus ban d wen t .

e verywh e re lookin g fo r h is W ife Firs t o f all h e me t a .

man n ame d Myihkyi mdgz m dirty and ask ed ,

him , H ave yo u seen t h e t t wi wom an ? ”

D irty e ye -

r e pli ed ,If yo u ever find your wife ag ain t h e dirt in my

e ye will be e n o ugh t o poi s o n t h e whol e o f t h e Irr aw addy .

T h en h e went o n and met a man n ame d S hingla ng gdlu ,

”
lon g leg lit long s hin) and as ked him t h e sam e ques
-
, .
-
,

tion Lo ng leg co nt emptuous ly replied

.
-
If you e ver ,

fin d your wife le t me kn ow an d my s hin s wil l bridge

,
-

”
t h e rive r Then h e s aw a man n amed Pungwum wa
.
'

frowzy he ad and as k e d him fo r in form atio n

-
Frowzy .

h ead l aughin gly s aid If you e ve r fin d your wife my

,

h ead will burn for ni ne whol e ye ar s At l as t h e came .

to t h e H orn e t e n quiri ng for his los t wif e T h e H orn e t by a

-
.

fi n e thre ad led him to a cave wh e re t h e wom an was h e ld a

p ri s o n e r AS L eibyu e n te re d h e di s cove re d h is wife and
.
,

foun d th at t h e mons te r w as o ut hunting T h en t h e wom an .

told hi m Mak e your s word red h o t and be ready when

,
-
,

t kwi Yawng re turn s from t h e hun t ; as s oo n as h e comes

in h e will s pread o ut his wing s and go t o s l ee p L dbyu .

did as h e w as told Prese n tly t h e mo ns te r appeared and as

. ,
 MYTHO LOGY AND TRAD IT IO NS . 125

he t r d h e s cented t h e visitor and s aid I smell t h e fles h

en e e ,
”
o f a jinghpaw Th e wom an replied
. Are yo u no t living ,
”
with a jinghpaw wom an ? Th en h e s pread o ut hi s wi ngs
and fell as l ee p L dbyu with his red h o t s word q ui c kl y
.
-

se ve re d t h e right wi n g from hi s body and fl ed with h is wife .

Th e mo ns ter in v ai n tri ed t o fly with o nly o ne wing .

F rom t h at time o n me n h ave h ad t h e mi sfortune t o be

di sabled by t h e loss o f arms o r le gs L dbyu return in g with .
,

his wife firs t met Fro w z yl h ead an d as h e did n o t h ave

, ,

h air e n ough t o s upply fu e l for even a day h e w as kill ed , .

Thu s men will die from burn in g Then h e s aw Lon g le g

'

-
.
,

wh o in v ai n trie d t o bridge t h e Irr aw addy wi th h is s hi n s ,

and h e w as kill e d SO men wi ll die from rec kl ess ness

. .

Di rty e ye met t h e sam e f ate o n ac coun t o f h is r as h

-

bravado From thi s tim e o n men h ave met a s imil ar

.

fate N o w t h e t twi girl wanted t o e at s om e fruit L dbyu

. .

c limbe d a tr ee t o cut down s om e but t h e s pirits o f t h e '

murd er ed men directed his s word t o cut Off h is arm s ,

le gs and neck Wh en t h e wom an s aw wh at h ad h app ened

.

”
s h e s aid N o w wh at wil l I do
,
? H er d e ad h us b an d
ans we r ed Pl ac e a kn ife be tw ee n s ome s m all branch es th en
, ,

”
whi s t l e for t h e win d an d follow me (Th e id e a be in g th at .

t h e win d res po ndi n g t o t h e whis tli n g would com e and

'
, ,

s h ak e t h e b ran ch es c aus ing t h e knif e t o f all and k ill

,

h e r) . Th i s S h e did and from th at ti m e o n men h ave die d

from murd e r by t h e i ns tigation Of t h e s pirits and in t h e
,

d es ire t o follow t h e d ep art e d

'

The fi rs t man drowned O n ce upon a tim e an orph an

.

t ree . He cutbore r and g ave re li ef t o t h e tree

o ut the .

Fis hi n g in t h e s tre am h e cast h is n et o ver an allig ato r

' ‘

Be ing un able t o pull hi m o ut h e tied th e m e o f t h e net t o

a tr ee an d re turn e d home Th e ne xt day t h e al lig ato r s
’
.

d aughter realizin g t h e sad plight o f h er f ath er wen t t o

, ,

t h e tree an d as k ed Wh o h elpe d yo u o ut o f your

,

”
Th e tr ee re pli ed Th e orph an bo y , H e ari n g this sh e
-
.
"

as k e d t h e tr ee t o inform h er wh en t h e orph an b o y would be

1 26 1. THE KACH INS .
s

a roun d T h e day after th at h e came an d t h e d aughte r w as

.
‘ ‘

“
c all e d See in g t h e boy s h e s aid to him
. Yo u h e lp e d t h e ,

tre e c an you n o t h e lp my fath e r al s o ?

, T h e boy with
'

“
an e ye to h is o wn adv an t ag e s aid If I do it wh at will you ,

g i ve me Th e d aughte r p romi s ed to m arry him pro v id e d

h e re li e ved h er f ath e r Th en t h e boy by d e gre es pull ed t h e
.

a llig ator o ut o f t h e rive r an d o n t h e s e ven th day r e li e ve d

“

him from t h e n et 3 T ru e to h er promise t h e d aughte r

.

m arri e d t h e b o y and th e y m ade the ir hom e by t h e ri ve r .

H aving live d toge th e r fo r s om e tim e t h e wife o ne day said t o

h er hu s b an d All t h e fish in t h e ri ver are my brothe rs
, ,

”
do n o t fi sh with t h e n in e broth e rs H e howe ve r dis
'

obe yed and wen t with th e m a fis hing d ecidin g n e ith er

“

, ,

t o e at n o r t ak e hom e an y fi s h When t h e n in e brothe rs .

s aw th at h e r e fu s ed to acce pt any fi s h th e y o ut o f mi s chi ef , , ,

s e cr e tly put a s m all s to ne s uck e r in his b ag

. Re turnin g
-
.

home h is wife accu sed him s ayi n g Yo u h ave been a fi s hin g ,

”
with t h e ni ne broth e rs ; I s me ll my re l atives H e d en i e d .

t h e ch arg e and as a proof th at h e h ad n o fi s h t urn ed

,

h is b ag i n s id e o ut an d t h e s m all fi s h fe ll o ut The n t h e
‘

.
,

”
wife in gri ef s aid Yo u h ave di s obe yed my word s and at
, ,

o n ce r e turn e d t o h e r re l atives in t h e d ee pes t p art o f t h e

ri ver T h e you ng hu s b and dis co ns ol ate c ame d aily and s at

.
, ,

o n a rock by t h e pl ace wh er e h is wife h ad di sappe ar ed .

O ne day t h e wife s aid to h e r f ath e r T h e gri ef o f t h e ,

”
o rp h an b o y is I c all him ? H e r f athe r said ,
”
Le t him com e S O s h e S pre ad h e r lo ng h air all ove r
.

t h e rock and th e n e xt tim e h er hu s b an d c am e h e s at down

,

o n it and s h e dr agge d him i n to t h e w ate r

, From th at time .

o n m en h ave di e d by drown i n g .

Why the K ach ins s acri fice to the no t (spiri t) of jealousy .

Th e K ach ins h ave pe rso nified e nvy an d j ealou sy more

di s tinctly th an any othe r hum an f ailin g The y attribute .

alm os t e very e vi l an d misfortu ne t o t h e j ealou s t houghts

an d i n ten ti o n s o f s om e o n e wh o c ann ot bear t o see th e ir
fo rtune o r pro s perity T h e s ource o f it all is traced t o t h e
.

follo wi ng incid en t remin di ng u s o f C ain and A be l

,
Lo n g .
 MYT HO LO GY AND T RAD IT IO NS . 12 7

a go ,
were t wo : brot h ers T h e old e r w as l arge in
t h ere
~ .

body but t he youn ge r whil e s m all e r in s i ze h ad t h e mo s t

_

, , ,

acti ve mi n d : Whe n s owin g time c ame h e s aid to his Old er -

”
brothe r; Le t us s o w o ur fi e ld s T h e Old e r broth e r as ke d . ,

Wh at s h all w e s o w ? T h e youn ger brothe r in mis chi e f

”
s aid , S o w your fi e ld with t h e s cr apin gs o f horn s o f c attl e .

H avi n g gi ve n s uch advice h e s owe d h is o wn with mill e t .

Th e old e r broth e r in h is i n n oce n ce m ad e s crapi ngs from

cattl e s h o rn s and s owe d h i s fi e ld with it Afte r s ome time
’ ‘

t h e Old e r broth e r s aid t o t h e you n g er Wh at about your ,

field ? T h e you n ge r o ne s aid My fi e ld is full o f s prouts , ,

h o w about yours ? t o which h e r e ce i ved t h e r e ply My ,

”
fi eld is full o f s m all c attl e Wh en t h e you nger broth er
.

reali ze d th at fortune h ad thu s favore d his we ak min d ed -

broth e r h e w as full o f e nvy and t ak i n g so me flour h e

, ,

p ain ted all t h e c attl e whit e and s aid Th e white o nes be lon g ,
”
t o me T h e old e r br oth e r in an ge r c au se d a r ai n s torm
.
-

t o w as h away t h e flour an d all re turn ed t o th e ir n atural

,

c olour e xc e pt a fe w wh o ran u nd e r a big tr ee fo r s h e lte r

a nd be c am e s tripe d T h e you n ge r broth e r far from s ati s fied

.
,

with t h e outcom e o f his e nd eavor d e vi se d a new s trat age m ,

t o d es troy t h e eld e r an d ge t po ssess io n o f h is h e rd

, So h e .

s aid , Broth er your s is ter in law is d ead le t us m ake h er a

,
- -
,
“
coffin This be ing done h e s aid
. N o w lie down in it ,

and le t us see if it is t h e right s i ze Th e e ld e r broth e r .

doin g so t h e younge r quickly put o n t h e lid and se cure d it

,

with s tro n g ratt an b an ds But t h e s tre ngth O i t h e olde r

.
-

broth e r was s ufficient t o effect h is rele ase S tepp in g o ut o f

“

”
t h e co ffin h e s aid t o h is you n g e r broth e r N o w y o u try it , .

T h e youn ge r did n o t d are t o diso be y and t h e old e r at o n ce

t ie d down t h e lid with cord s th at could n o t b e broken
’

Re me mbe ring h is broth er s e nd e avors t o d es troy him h e took

’

t h e coffi n and hung it at a precipi ce j us t abo ve a w at e r f all -

.

After s ome t ime h e said t o t h e roaring s tream Go and c all ,

t h e man th at is h an gin g o ve r t h e f all

”
T h e s tre am mis .

un d ers t oo d t h e O rde r t hink in g h e h ad been t old t o c u t

,

him down and acted acc ordin gly In K achin t h ere is a .

 128 THE mc s .

and call ; se Thus t h e

dan da t su, go and c ut down .

yo unge r br o th e r (N N aw) di ed b e ca u se o f his j ealou s y

and greed and t o t h i s day t h e gen iu s (no t) o f j ealou sy
,

g en e rally called N su no t is al s o c alle d N naw na t Th e ,

.

m eat o f sacrifi ces o fi ered t o t hi s n at is n eve r given t o

c h ildre n so as t o kee p th e m fro m e n vy and a jealou s
'

Only l an d o f t h e s un Then t h e children o f me n went

In the .

a n d as k e d th at the y be give n s om e and th eir r e qu es t ,

was gran ted O n the ir re turn the y we re compe lled t o

.

pass t h e h ou se o f t h e ch am el eon t h e h eadm an O f K do ng

’

-
,

S h ingra wh o h ad o n fo rm e r occas io n s s hown hi s e vil

,

d i s pos iti o n S O th ey agree d t o p ass as q uie t ly as po ss ibl e

‘

.
,

Of buffal o attracte d his atte ntion

t he Whe re h ave you .

” ”
b een h e as ke d an d wh at are y o u carryi g ? T he men
‘

, n ,

s aid
“

We h ave been t o t h e l an d o f th e s un and are c arrying

, ,

b a ck p add y
” “
Ah h e said and wh at h as t h e S un no t
” “ '

-
.
, ,

de c reed in regard t o t h e s ize your p ad dy is t o grow ? Th e ”

“
r e ply c am e T h e s t alks are t o be t h e s ize O i b affalo s
'

’
-
,

le gs and t h e e ars as lo n g as a po ny s t ail ” H earin g

'

q
,

t h is l t h e Ch am e l e o n s ai d N o t at all ; it is uite enough

'

if t h e e ars are as l arge as m y ta il an d th e s t alks gro w

' '

t h e s i ze o f my le g H en c e t h e K ach in s h ave t h e prove rb

. ,

des pisabl e h ame le on ullified (lit d es tro yed ) word

'

,
c n .
,
the

H ow water was f Form e rly th ere wa s n o w at ound

er a nd .

h um an bei n gs could n o t boil t h e ri ce an d th us gre w thin

and weak A t th at time the re was a wi se woman nam ed
.
.

S umbwi N ang M djan i Sh e m ade a lee ch fr om o ne O f

'
'
'
.

h er fin ge rs and se n t it o n t o t h e s ky t o f e tch t h e w ater but

‘

t h e l ee ch ne ve r go t t h at far an d n e ve r foun d t h e w ate r .

The n t h e wo man m ad e an eagle from h er s lap but while

‘ ,
.
 MYTHO LO G Y AND T RAD IT IO NS . 1 29

the s k y an d f ail ed to fin d t h e w ate r T h e n t h e wom an

.

m ad e a ye llow be e from o n e o f h e r fi n ge rs and t h e b ee ,

s ucc e e d e d in r e achi ng t h e s k y an d fill e d it s mouth with

w ate r D es cending t h e b ee res te d o n a cinn amo n tre e

.
,

an d wi s hi n g to Op e n i t s mouth t h e w at e r ran o ut an d

e mpti e d i n to t h e tru n k Of a hollow tr ee T h e n t h e wom an

.

m ad e a mol e from h er h an d which worke d in to t h e tre e an d

brought out t h e water in it s mouth but lo s t it all amo n g
,

s om e rock s try i n g t o p as s o v e r a ve ry rocky pl ac e

, Th en .

t h e wom an m ad e a crab to fi n d t h e w at e r amo n g t h e s to n e s ,

“ ”
but t h e crab s aid I mu s t h ave a p artn e r an d s o s h e
, ,

m ad e a cicad a Th en s h e g ave i n s tructio ns to both s ayi n g

.
,

to t h e crab If you are n o t b ack b e fore July an d Augu s t

, ,
”
t h e otte r will d e vour you .T o t h e cic ad a s h e s aid If you,
‘
do n o t s in g h e re b efore t h e h e ight of s umm er t h e e agl e
’
,

”
will pick you up and e at you . T hu s t h e cic ad a w as h e ard
duri n g t h e time which n o w is t h e h e i ght of t h e rai ny se as on
by a s pri n g out s id e a vill age an d t h e cr ab n o w brought t h e
,

w ate r to m an ki n d But t h e s o n s of me n did n o t kn ow h o w

.

to appre ci ate t h e gift u ntil th e y fou n d th at t h e an im al s

Of t h e ju n gl e we re d e po s iti n g p arts of it h ere and th e re
n e ar th e ir dw e lli n g pl ac e s an d pl an ti n g trees arou n d for

S h ad e
. But from th at tim e o n t h e childre n of me n h ave
s acrific e d to t h e S pirit of t h e riv e r s and t h e s pri n g s .
 CH APT ER XII .

I N Q UE ST O F THE UNKNO WN .

In Ch apter XIII we i n te n d to d e al with t h e Kachin

religio n but in ord e r t o un d ers tan d t h e s ubj e ct o f t h e
,

n e xt p aragraph s it is n e c ess ary to s ay a fe w word s r e g ard

,

ing t h e fun d am e n t al s of th e ir b e lief Like all b ackw ard

.

race s as we ll as ori en tal s in ge ne r al th ey h ave a s tron g

, ,

faith in t h e i n vi s ibl e an d are e xtrem e ly s up ers titiou s The ir .

f aith cen te rs aroun d s upe rn atural be i n gs c all ed na ts wh o , ,

are s up e rior to m an but i nfe rior to t h e god s o f Gr ee k o r

I n di an mythology The s e nets corres pon d more close ly

.

t o o ur id eas of d e mo n s o r e vil s pirit s ; s ti ll th e y are n o t

all b ad an d th e y are c ap abl e o f good d ee d s as w e ll as
,

e vil
. T h e n a ts d e te rmi n e t h e d es ti n y o f men S till th e re .
]

are with m an y a be li e f in f at e d es tin y (auba) in o ur se nse o f

, ,

t h e word . But this id e a com es from t h e S h an an d Chinese .

T h e na ts follow man from birth t o d e ath as h is sh adow

fo r good o r for b ad Th ey kn ow all h is w ays and if
.

di s pose d c an re ve al his future It is this S id e o f their

.

f aith th at d em an d s o ur atten tion in this ch apt e r In ord er .

to s py b e hi n d t h e ve il o f t h e future t h e K achins h ave th e ir

m edium s divi ne rs div in ation s p almi s ts s orcere rs and
, , , ,

i nte rprete rs of dre ams augeries and ome ns N othi ng is

, .

don e without firs t con s ulting t h e S pirits Th ere are rul es .

and re gul atio n s for e ve ry importan t e ve n t and bu s i ness

tr an s action and n o t to ob se rve t h e re gul ar cu s tom s may

,

c au se b ad luck and bri n g di s favor from t h e n ats .

Th e medium or n o t proph et (myih toi)

-
T h e chi ef or acle
.

o f t h e s pi ri t world is t h e n o t proph e t o r as h e more corr e ctly

-
,

ought to b e c all e d t he m edium H e rese mbl es in almo s t

, .

e v e ry p articul ar t h e m e dium who in a tr an c e m ake s k n ow n

t h e will o f t h e s pirits at a s p iritu ali s tic se an ce Hi s m e thods .

are prac ti c ally t h e s ame e xc e pt th at h e does n o t ne ed a

,
1 32 TH E KACH INS .

d ark room or clo s ed doors Th e r es ults are id e n tic al T h e

. .

m edium may b e a m an a wom an o r a c h ildn; h e may ,

o r may n o t b e a pri es t ; h is o f fi c e is n o t s trictly re li giou s .

Anyo n e s uffe ri ng from e pil e ps y ne rv ous dis order or hys teri a , ,

is r e gard e d as u n d e r t h e s p e ci al powe r of t h e n a ts an d it is ,

from th e s e th at t h e m e dium s mo s tly come I n conn ectio n .

with th es e n atur al t e n d e n ci es if t h e i ndividu al d es ires to ,

profit from hi s po we rs h e will practice t h e u s u al art s be lo ng

,

ing to thi s bran ch O f t h e n o t wors hip an d will s oo n b e abl e -

,

to pl ace him se lf en rapport with t h e s pirit world almo s t

at will . For c as h or oth e r m ate ri al co ns id e r atio n s h e will ,

wh e n c all e d upon re ve al t h e will of t h e na ts T h es e

, .

proph e ts (lit t h e men with t h e en li ghte ned e ye) are h eld in

.
'

gre at res p ect and aw e and at d e ath are n o t buri e d u n til

,

t h e s e ve n th day for f e ar th at th e y are n o t re ally d e ad ,

but S imply o n a journ e y to t h e n o t coun try T h e y h ave -

.

as a rul e a high ai ry reach ed by a t all b amboo l add e r

,

e re ct e d outs id e th e ir abod e and in thi s th e y r e c e i v e th e ir

,

i ns piration ; but the y m ay get in touch with t h e na ts

anyw h e r e an d at any tim e Extraordin ary s tori e s are .

aflo at r e gardi n g t h e pow e r and s up e rn atur al ability of

t h e m e dium s an d s om e o f th e m h ave b een cr edit e d e v e n
,

by E urop e an s We give h ere a graphic accoun t by D r

. .

An ders o n as re pri n t e d in T h e Upp er Burm a G az e ttee r

,
”
,

as it S how s t h e myih toi at h is b es t an d h o w t h e p e rform an c e ,

w as re g ard e d by t h e ob se rv e rs It took pl ace wh e n Colo ne l

.

S l ad e n in 1868 w as att e mpti n g to r e ach M om e i n v ia Bh am o

an d t h e K achi n hill s .

T h e mi tway ( myih toi ) n o w en t ered an d s e ate d him se lf

-

o n a s m all s tool i n o n e corn er ( of th e hou se ) which h ad ,

be e n fres hly s pri nkl e d with w ate r ; h e th en bl e w through

a s m all tube and throwi n g it from him wi th a d ee p gro an at
, ,

o n ce fe ll i nto an e xtr aordin ary s t ate of tr e mor : e ve ry limb

qui vered and h is fe e t be at a lite ral d e vil s t attoo o n t h e
,
’

b amboo floori n g H e gro an ed as if in p ain tore h is h air

.
, ,

p as se d h is h an d s with m an i aca l ges tur es o ver h is h e ad

an d f ace th e n brok e in to a s hort wild ch an t i n t e rrupte d
, , ,
 IN Q UEST O F THE UNKNO WN . 1 33

with s igh s and gro ans his fe atures appeari ng dis torte d
,

with m ad ne ss o r rage whil e t h e tones O f h is voice ch anged

,

to an e xpre ss ion of an ge r o r fury D uri ng thi s ex t rao rdi .

n ary s c e ne which r e aliz e d all o n e h ad r e ad o f d e mo n i ac al

,

poss ess io n t h e S awbwa (vill age chi ef) and his pawmaings
,

( advi s e rs ) occ as io n ally addr esse d him in lo w to n es as if

s oothin g him or d e pre c ati n g t h e an ge r o f t h e domi n an t

s pirit ; an d at l as t t h e S a wbwa i nform e d S l ad e n th at t h e

n e ts mu s t b e app e as e d with an offe ri n g Fifte en rup e es .

an d s om e cloth w e re produc e d : t h e s ilve r o n a b amboo

s pri n kl e d with w ate r an d t h e cloth o n a pl att e r o f pl an t ai n

,

l e ave s we re humbly l aid at t h e divi ne r s fe e t but with ’

,

o n e co n v ul s i ve j e rk of t h e l e g s rup ee s and cloth we re

,

i ns tantly kicke d away an d t h e medium by i ncre as e d c o n

,

v ul s io n s and gro an s i n tim at e d t h e di s s ati s f actio n of t h e n ats

with t h e Offe ri ngs T h e S awbwa in v ai n s upplic ated fo r

.

it s acce pt anc e an d th e n s ign ifie d to S l ad e n th at more

rupees we re re quire d and m en tione d s ixty as t h e propiti atory
s um . S l ad e n te n d e re d fi ve more with t h e ass ur an c e th at
n o mor e could b e give n T h e am e n d ed O ffe ri n g w as ag ai n
.
,

but more gently pu s h e d away o f which n o n otice w as ,

t aken Afte r an oth e r qu art e r Of an hour duri ng which t h e

.
,

co n vul s ions and gro an s gr adu ally b ec ame l es s viol en t a ,

dri ed l e af roll ed into a co ne and fill e d with rice w as h an d e d

over t o t h e mi tway H e rai se d it to his fore h e ad s e ve ral
-
.

ti mes an d th e n thre w it o n t h e floor A da ( lo n g knife ) .

which h ad bee n c are fully w as h ed w as n e xt h an d e d ove r ,

to him and tre ated in t h e s am e w ay ; and afte r a fe w gen tl e

s igh s h e ro se from his s e at an d l aughi n g s ign e d t o us ,

t o look at h is arm s and l eg s which w e re ve ry tired ,

.

T h e oracl e w as in o u r favor an d pre dictio n s o f all m an n e r

,

o f s ucc ess w e re i n te rpr e t ed to us as t h e utt er an c e o f t h e

ins pired divi ne r .

D r Anders on as s ures us as h e contin ues h is account

. ,

It mu s t no t be s uppose d th at thi s w as a s ol e mn farce

e n acted t o co njur e rup ees o ut Of E urop e an pock e ts The .

K akhyens ( K achins ) ne ve r un d e rt ak e any bu s i ness o r journe y

1 34 THE KACH INS .

wi thout con sulti n g t h e will of t h e ne ts as rev e al e d by a

mitway u nd e r t h e i n flu e n ce of a t e mporary fre n zy o r as , ,

th e y d ee m it po sses s ion ,
”
A more in tim ate kn owl edge
.

Of t h e K achin s would h ave modifie d the se l as t s tate m en ts .

T h e m edium is co n s ul t e d o nly o n more import an t occ as io n s

s uch as t h e o n e o n h and In s om e loc aliti es c e rt ain ch e ap
.

proph e ts may be con s ulte d about almo s t an ythin g but ,

thi s is n o t t h e rul e It is s tran ge howe ve r th at s o k een

.
, ,

an ob s e rv e r as D r An de rs on s hould h ave fail e d to s ee

.

th at mos t of thi s p e rform an ce w as n othin g e l s e but a farce

e n act ed to co njur e ru pe e s out Of E urop e an pock e ts Th e .

m ere f act th at twen ty rup ee s we re acce pted wh en it b ec ame

cle ar th at S ixty would n o t b e given would give t h e clue ,

to this T h e fren zy t h e gro an in g an d co nv ul s io n s w e re

.
,

all th e r e t h e proph e t is an ad e pt in thi s but h e w as n e ve r s o

, ,

compl ete ly u nd e r t h e s p e ll but th at h e h ad a k ee n e ye

,

t o bu s in e ss Fifte en rup ees is a pri n cely s um for any

.

proph e t and u n d er ordi n ary co n dition s h e would h ave been

s ati s fi e d with a fr actio n of thi s but h e re w as an e xp e ditio n
,

h ead e d by Engli s hme n with an iro n box full O f s ilver .

Th e p ro p e t corr e ctly divi n e d th at a man who could afford t o

give fiftee n rup e es could give more and h e nce t h e kick ”
, .

T h e ne ts howeve r h ad to t ak e it good n ature dly wh en

, , ,

th e y re ali ze d th at t h e K ala (fore igne r) would gi ve only

fiv e more Thi s bu s in es s in s tin ct is quit e ch ar act e ri s tic
.

o f n o t o n ly t h e m edium s but o f oth e r profe ss io n al divi n e rs

, .

The y always kn ow about how much the ir clie n ts are willin g

and abl e t o p ay an d th e y formul at e t h e ir re pli es an d
,

r e qu e s ts accordin gly .

O th e r s tori e s re gardi n g t h e won drou s th in gs a me dium

c an do wh e n un d e r t h e s pe ll are quite n um e rou s H e c an .

cut his ton gu e an d lip s an d t h e blood will flo w but in

, ,

an i n s t an t h e is h e al e d agai n wh e n comi n g o ut o f t h e

tr an ce H e c an w alk up a l adde r t h e s te ps o f which

.

co ns i s t of s word bl ad es with t h e s h arp edges turned

upw ards ”
. I h ave n ev er y e t foun d a proph e t willin g t o
give an e xhibitio n alon g these li nes e ven thou gh I have ,
 IN Q UEST O F THE UNKNO WN . 1 35

O fl ered ubs t an ti al r eward provided I was allowed t o clo se ly

s ,

e x ami n e t h e proceedi n gs T h e i n tim atio n alw ays is th at

.

s uch in s pe ctio n o n my p art would dis courage t h e n e ts

,

which is n o doubt tru e B es id es I h ave ne ver fou nd a

.
,

K ach in W h o wh e n clos e ly qu es tion e d co uld s ay th at h e

, ,

h as actu ally see n it him s e lf T h e y all be li e ve it h as b e e n

.

do ne or c an b e do ne ju s t as a S h an o r a Burm an be li e ves in
,

i n vul ne rability e ve n though th e y h ave n e ve r s e en an

,

in vul n erable in di vidu al O f cour s e a s m all kn owl e dge of

.

l e ge rd e m ai n o r t h e art o f t h e Indi an juggl er c an e as ily

, ,

produce a b lo o dly to ngu e and mouth ; an d as for s te ppin g

o n t h e e d ges of s word s o r S itti n g o n b amboo s pik e s it ,

do es n o t re qu ire a gre at d eal of s kill to d ece i ve a crowd

o f un lo o k e rs W h o are n o t at all troubl ed wi th any high e r
critici s m o n t h e s ubj e ct A fe w h ave l e arn ed t h e s impl e r
.

form s o f juggl ery from t h e Chi ne s e but t h e art is n o t ,

e xte n s ive ly pr acticed .

The diviner (ningwawt) T h e divi n er is more Of a p ro

.

fess io nal th an t h e m e dium H e is ve ry Ofte n a pri es t

.

(ningwawt dums a) but n o t alw ays D ivi n ation is no t c o n

-
, .

fin ed t o t h e religiou s s ph ere and t h e divi n e r is prim arily

,

a m an W h o as c e rt ai n s t h e will an d wi s h e s Of t h e s pirits
in an ythi n g th at p e rt ai n s to t h e affairs o f t h e i n dividu al
o r t h e commu ni ty If h e is als o a pri es t hi s combin ed
.

Offi ce give s him a great d e al o f powe r an d i nflue n ce If .

,

as is Ofte n t h e case h e is an o ld gr ay h aire d m an both

,
-
,

youn g and Old s t and in awe o f him as it is t h e belief th at h e ,

is in e s p e ci ally clo se re l ati o n to t h e s p irit world It n ee d -

.

h ardly be s aid th at h e h as it in h is powe r t o in te rpre t

t h e will Of his s up e rn atur al advi se rs much t o h is o wn
ad van t age . H e c an always procur e t h e ki n d o f s acrifice
th at will give him t h e bes t re turn for hi s time and troubl e .

H e c an give anyo n e whom h e di s likes an u n pl ea s an t tim e ,

as h e c an t hre ate n all kin d s o f pun i s hm ent s from t h e

s piri ts. S til l it mu s t n o t be thought th at t h e divine r ,

any mor e th an t h e m e dium is altog e th e r an impo s tor o r

,

a humbug .
Th e y b eli e ve in t h e s pirit world an d in t h e -
1 36 THE KAC H INS .

a ctivity of t h e na ts Wh en th e ir gu esse s and divi n atio ns

.

com e tru e th e y always re g ard it as a direct favor from

,

t h e s pirits ; wh en t h e oppo s ite pro ves to be t h e c ase th e y ,

fe e l s ure th at s om e mis tak e h as b ee n m ad e from th e ir

S id e an d thu s t h e f avor h as b ee n withh e ld
, But b e ing in .

po s s ess i on O f t h e power and in fluence their po s ition s ecures

th e m it is o nl y n at ural th at t h ey s h o uld use it s o mewh at t o
’ ’ '

f x
,

th e ir pe rs on al ad van t age s
D ivina tion T here is prob ably nothi ng in which our
°

. .

K achins s o firmly be lie ve as in t h e efficacy O f divin at ion

'

"

If achi ld is born a wom an m arri ed or an i ndividu al buri e d ;

,

if a hou se is built or burn ed ; a journe y b egun or a bu s iness

tr an s action e n d ed ; if a pe rs o n is ill or h as s uffere d mis '

fortu n e ;ii t h e lightnin g h as s truck o r a man e ati n g tige r is .

-

ro amin g abo li t ; in fact in almos t any s itu atio n o f import an ce

it is nec ess ary t o c all t h e divi ne r wh o by h is art as ce rt ain s
' '

t h e will o f t h e n a ts t h e c au se o f t h e troubl e an d t h e
'

s acrific e d m d
e a n e d f Divin atio n is an im p ort ant fact o r in
.
-

t h e re ligiou s lif e o f t h e commu n ity but is c ap abl e o f a

‘

wid e r application If c attl e h ave gone as tr ay th e ir wh ere

’

m
-
.
,

abou t s may be d e t e r ine d by t h e use o f t h e divi nin g

b am boo ; if a thief Or a witch is troublin g t h e commu nity ,

t h e eas i es t w ay t o d e te ct him may be by t h e art of divin a

ti o n L uck y and u nlucky d ays t h e outcom e of a hun t
. , ,

a tradin g e xp e ditio n a r aid o r a v e n ture in g ambli n g

, ,

may be di sclosed by cons ultin g t he nats by t he help o f

'

There are numero us m e th o d s o f divi nati on T h e K achins

‘

h ave n o Obj ection t o t ry t he me rits o f any form o r m e thod

th at may come u nd er their Obse rvati on : H ence we find
’

Chi nese me thod s s uch as t h e us e o f an e gg so m e kind s

‘

, ,

o f pl n ts an d bo n es o f fowl s in use amo n g tho se who

a ,

live near t h e Chi nes e fro n tie r In t h e S h an S t ates l eading .

K achin diviners e mploy t h e m agic s qu are rice an d s ome ,

cab ali s tic writin gs o n p alm l eaves Th e A t s is m ake us e .

o f thirty thr ee b amboo s plin ts a bout t h e l e n gth o f kn ittin g

-

n ee dl es s om,
e o f th e m c arv e d a t t h e t o p e n d Th es e ar e -
.
 IN QUEST O F T HE UNKNO WN . 137

thrown up and to sse d in s uch a w ay th at th ey fall h aph az ard

be twee n t h e cl efts o f t h e finge rs T h e odd s ticks in e ach
.

group are picked out an d l aid as ide T h e proce ss is re p e at e d.

three time s If t h e res ult is an eve n n umb e r of s tick s

.
,

t h e re ply is f avor abl e ; if it is an odd n umb er it is u nf avor ,

a bl e . Thos e who h ave l earn e d to re ad Sh an are guid e d

by t h e S h an m an u s cripts o n t h e s ubj e ct But these and .

s imil ar m e thod s are i n troduc e d from t h e out s id e The .

gen ui ne w ays o f K achin div in atio n are o nly thre e .

a
. By t h e us e of a s to ne attache d to a s t ri n g or s h aken
and h e ld in c e rt ai n po s i t io n s in t h e h and s T hi s accordi n g.

to tradition is t h e Old es t form o f divi n ation but it is tod ay ,

practiced or u nd ers tood by o n ly a fe w o f t h e N orthe rn

K achi n s .

.6 By t h e use o f a s m all b amboo c alle d s h dman Thi s .

is t h e mo s t commo n an d t h e mo s t r eli abl e w ay Th e .

b amboo is prai se d and l aud ed is c alle d t h e K achi n book

, ,

t h e h e ave n ly b amboo t h e gift o f t h e no t o f we alth

, Th e .

d ivi ner S its o n a lo w s tool and holdin g t h e bamboo ove r

,

a s low fire h e mutt e rs a ch arm o r i n c an t atio n admo n i s hi n g

t h e b amboo n o t to lie o r mis l e ad thos e s ee kin g info r

m atio n Two o f th es e b amboo s are alw ays c arri ed at t h e
.

s am e tim e ; t o c arry o n ly o n e i ndic at e s th at h e is about

t o m eas ure a corp se fo r a coffin T h e b amboo b e i n g h e ld

.

ove r t h e fire for a s hort wh il e it burs ts joi nt by join t ,

with a loud re port and from t h e po s itio n o f t h e h airy

,

fi bres th at s t an d o ut o n e ach s id e o f t h e fracture t h e

will o f t h e nats is in te rprete d If t h e fibres s tan d o ut.
,

c ro ss i n g e ach othe r it i ndicates th at t h e nats d es ire a

,

l arge offering o n a cross If t hey s tand s traight up t h e

.
,

m ean in g is doubtful an d n e w e xpe rim e nts mu s t b e m ade .

If l ean in g t o o n e S id e o r othe r it m e ans th at e ggs fowl s

, ,

o r pigs are d e s ir e d .But th e re are m any w ays t o i nte rpre t

t h e po s itio n o f th ese fibres an d it is left more o r l es s t o t h e
,

f an cy o r u sage o f t h e p articul ar divi ne r o r locality .

o
. By t h e sh dba lap Thi s is a lo n g l e af rese mblin g
.
,

t ho se o f t h e c ann ae with s h arp ve i ns runn ing p arall el

,
138 TH E KAC H INS .

an d n o t in te rl acin g T h e l e af is torn followin g t h e ve ins

.
,

an d a n umbe r of s hre d s are thu s produ c e d which are

tak e n h aph az ard twi s ted and tie d toge th e r T h e divi n e r
, .

mutters h is ch arm s an d pr ay e rs implorin g t h e des ir ed

res ult T h e k n ots an d s tran d s con t ai ne d in e ach di vi s io n are
.

th en cou nte d and t h e outcom e is d e te rmin ed from t h e

n umbe r o n e ach s id e an d W h e th er th e y are e ven or Odd .

Re p eate d tri al s are re quired an d thi s m e thod is n o t as

,

s ur e or e ffe cti ve as th at with t h e di v in i n g b amboo .

A uguries . T h e b e li ef in augu ri es is n o t as s tro n g as

in divi n ation It is r es orted to o nly to a limited de gr e e
. .

T h e bon es o f t h e l e g s of fowl s an d t h e S pl e e n o f a hog ,

an d in s om e loc aliti e s t h e e n tr ail s of c attl e are u se d in ,

fore c as tin g t h e future S om e followi n g a Chi n ese cu s tom

.

dr aw auguri e s from t h e h e ad of a fowl kill e d in a ce rta in

w ay . At a wedd in g in t h e G auri hill s a youn g h en is t ak en
to re pres e n t th e brid e S ome Old man pro n ou n ce s a ch arm
.
,

holdi n g t h e h en be fore t h e e l e ph an t gr as s which t h e

brid e h as p as sed T h e h e n is th en le t go If it m akes
. .

a bee lin e fo r t h e hou se

-
it is cons id ered a good S ign ,

t h e brid e will be a home m ak e r an d bri ng pro s pe rity

-
If .

t h e h e n s t arts o ff for t h e j un gl e it is a S ign t h at s h e

,

will draw away from t h e home s qu an d e r r ath e r th an g ath er

,
.

I h ave n o t seen thi s cu s t om followe d in oth er p arts o f

t h e coun try but it may b e
, T h e c alli n g o f t h e o w l n e ar
.

a hou se is a b ad S ign an d t h e f alli n g o f a l arge tr ee

,

in dic ate s t h e d e ath o f s ome l eadin g man But th ere is .

a gr eat di v e rs ity in re g ard t o the s e thi n gs an d in e ach ,

community th e re may b e s ome p articul ar k in d o f be lie f

bel o n gi n g o nly to th at locality .

O mens . Th e re are two ki nds o f omens Tho s e cal l ed .

n a mdaw n a mdaw m ean in g an im al s cro ss ing on e s p ath ’

, ,

(lit impe din g o ne s progres s ) Mere ly t o see an an im al

’
. .

by t h e ro ad s ide h as n o m e an i n g but if ce rt ain ki nds ,

cro ss t h e p at h it h as it s s ign ifican ce T he othe r ki nd is .

dr awn from t h e c allin g o f bird s or beas ts and from almos t

any t hing o ut o f t he ordin ary If a s n ak e porcupi ne o r
.
,
 IN QUEST O F THE UNKNO WN . 1 39

wild crosse s o ne s p ath s ome o f your frie n ds will die

’
c at , ,

o r your u n d e rt aki n g will n o t pro s p e r If a d ee r h edge hog .

,

o r rhi n oce ro s cro ss es t h e p ath it is a good om e n luck is , ,

o n your S id e T h e o nly e xc e ptio n is t h e b arki n g d ee r ;

.

if o ne o f tho s e run acro s s b ad report s will follow If ,

.

y o u se e w e ase l s pl ayin g or fighti n g it is a b ad S ign ; th e y ,

will en tice t h e hum an s pirit to s tr ay an d wan d er If t w o .

barkin g d ee r call at t h e s am e tim e outs ide a vill ag e ill ne ss ,

o r fire Will follow If you n g c attl e s tr ay i nto a hou s e

.
,

o r go up t h e roof t h e na ts are aft e r th e m an d th e y are

,

d es tined s oon to be s acrificed which m e an s th at ill n ess ,

will vis it t h e hou se A ri n g arou n d t h e s un s ign ifi es t h e

.

d e ath of a chi e f C ro Ws c allin g in a p e culi ar w ay outs id e a

.

ho u s e bri n g m ess ages from fri e n d s ju s t d ec ease d H e n ce .

the re is a pro ve rb H e does n o t e ve n utt e r t h e s ou n d O f

,
”
t h e crow , which m e ans th at an Old frie nd h as S O compl e te l y
forgot te n h is form e r ass oci ate s th at h e n e ve r se nd s th em
an y m es s ag e o r tok e n of r e g ard If t h e s te p s of a jun gl e
.

an im al are se e n arou n d a n e wly dug gr ave s om e r e l atives ,

will s oon follow T hus t h e imme di at e s urrou n di ngs o f a

.

grave are c ar ef ully i ns pe cte d t h e morn i n g afte r buri al .

If t h e bo ili ng rice break s in t h e pot an d do es n o t adh ere

in o ne lum p s ome accid e n t will h app en to s ome o ne in
,

t h e house If s oot fall s from t h e roof in to food th at is

.

be ing p re p are d it is a b ad S ign

, , If r ats build n es ts in a .

gr ave t h e re l atives Of t h e i n te rr ed Will be poor Th ese

, .

are a fe w o f t h e b ad om en s ; t h e good which are fe w , ,

are h ardly e ve r m e n tio n ed .

D reams Primitive man h as always p aid a gre at d e al

.

o f att e n tio n to dream s T h e K ach i n s are n o e xc e ptio n

. .

T h e m e an in g is s ought of almo s t e ve ry dre am an d mo s t o f ,

t h e old e r me n kn ow t h e rul e s re gul ati n g th e ir i n te rpre t atio n .

T h e followi n g is s om e o f t h e wi s dom alo n g thi s lin e To .

dream about a broken tr ee t h e se tti n g s un o r moo n is , ,

un fortu nat e ; it pres ages a s pe e dy d e ath T o dre am th at .

young fowl s o n t h e b ack porch are s c atte re d is bad t o ,

dr e am th at th ey are g ath ered is good A dream about ,

1 40 THE KAC H INS .

t he horn bill is a prese ntim en t o f powe r and i nflu en ce

-
.

A dream about l arge c attle is good ; t h e s pirits are replen is h

i ng your s t abl es T O dre am about s l aves trade fruit a
.
, , ,

flowe rin g tree growi n g b amboo a heap o f s tone o r a h erd

, ,

o f hog s i ndicate s th at your f amily will in cre as e and th at

,

fortun e is yours T O s ee in t h e vi s ions o f t h e n ight an

.

O ld p addy hou s e o r a s w arm o f b ees at t h e top o f your

,

hou se is a good morn i n g dream you will h ave abund an ce , .

App ar ently t h e Kachi n i n te rprete r o f dre am s is n o t i nclined

t o thin k th at th e s e thi n gs alw ay s go by Oppo s it e s .

C h arms All t h e races and tribes o f Burm a are firm

.

b elie ve rs in t h e prote ctin g powe r o f ch arm s an d mo s t ,

men always h ave with th e m at l e as t s om e Obj e ct t o

w ard O ff d an ge r All o ver Burm a c an b e fou nd impl e men ts
.

from t h e s to ne and bron z e age and th ese are un ive rs ally ,

b e li eved to b e thun d er bolts and are kept in t h e hou ses t o

” -
,

w ard O ff fire In c as e Of complic atio ns at child birt h by

.
-
,

pl acin g a s to ne kn ife o r arrow he ad o n t h e top o f t h e h ead

- -

o f t h e l abouri n g wom an all difficulti es will di s appe ar Thi s .

be lief in t h e re ality o f t h e thu nd e r bolt and it s power -

and effi c acy is v e ry commo n e v e n amo n g highly i nte llig e n t

,

n atives . Pre ciou s s to n es tu s k s o f t h e wild bo ar and pie c es

, ,

o f ch arm e d m e t al s i n se rt ed u nd e r t h e s ki n are ve ry d es ir

a bl e obj e ct s in tim e o f w ar A powe rful ch arm Obtained

.
,

from a cert ai n ki n d o f bird t h e s kull Of a kill ed man o r ,

t h e h an d Of an abortion c alle d wam will m ak e a man , ,

in vi s ibl e . Tattooi ng t o secure i n vul nerability h as been

i ntrodu ce d by t h e Sh ans Man y of t h e K achin chiefs and
.

l e adi n g me n livi n g in t h e N orth e rn S h an S t ates h ave

b e e n tattooed with t h e m agic s qu are o n th e ir b acks and ,

o th e r c ab ali s tic figures o n s hould ers and arm s T h e .

f act th at these be ar Buddhi s t i ns criptio ns do es n o t m ak e

an y diffe re n c e to t h e na t wors hippi ng K achi n s
-
By t h e h elp .

o f t h e na ts an e vil di s po se d p e rs o n can se n d a mi ss il e call ed ,

l awng in t h e form o f a k nife nee dl e bo n e pi e ce o f l eather

, , , ,

o r t h e lik e right i n to t h e h e art o r t h e live r o f an e ne my

, ,

a nd s pe ci al ch arm s are worn t o w ard o f f s uch d an ge r Th e .

 IN Q UEST O F THE UNKNO WN . 141

tu k of
s wild bo ar which Will grow afte r t h e anim al
the -
,

is d e ad and t h e jaw bo n e of a tige r are re g ard e d as

,
-
,

es pe ci ally h e lpful wh e n hu nti n g o r wh e n tr av e li n g in wild

,

ju ngl e A S with t h e Burm an s and S h an s s o t h e K achin s

.
,

firmly b eli eve in t h e powe r of th es e ch arm s e ven thou gh th e y ,

se e th e m f ail ove r an d over agai n T h at th e re is s om e w ay

.

o f se c uri n g compl e te prot e ctio n from phy s ic al viol en c e th e y

n e ve r doubt an d t h e n e crom an c e r s ass i s t an c e is e ag e rly

’
,

s ough t

R u les to ins u re good luck Good or b ad luck accou n ts

.

fo r n e arly e ve rythi n g in t h e s m all affairs of e ve ryd ay l ife ,

an d luck h as s om e thi n g to do with t h e n a ts or t h e mys t e ,

rio us s om e thi n g th at like a s h adow alw ay s follow s hum an

be in gs Th e re are rul e s to b e Ob s e rve d in almo s t e ve rythin g

.

pe rt ai nin g to comm e rce indu s try and t h e s oci al S id e of

, ,

life Eve ry commu n ity h as s om e p articul ar re as on for s ome

.

cu s tom or ob s e rv an ce prob ably n o t re co gn iz e d an yw h e re

,

e l se an d thu s s uch
, rul e s b e com e too n um erou s to b e
m e ntione d in d e t ail It is e n ou gh to i n dic at e t h e ge ne ral
.

tr en d which is t h e s ame e ve ryw h e re A hun te r looki n g for

, .

g am e mu s t n o t S p e ak to anyo ne th at h e may m e e t S hould .

h e di s clo se h is purpo s e h e is s ure to b e u n s ucc ess ful H e .

will al s o b e guid ed by t h e om e ns m en tion ed above Re turn .

ing with a b ag t h e vill ag e pri e s t hkinja wng cut s O ff t h e p art

o f t h e fl e s h i n t e n d e d for t h e n a ts an d an Offe ri n g is pre se n t
,

ed at t h e alt ar O f t h e hou s e n a ts In s om e loc ali ti es c e rt ai n

-
.

kind s O f pl ants are ble ss ed and k ept as a ch arm (shan ts i ) ,

to fac inat e and e ntice t h e gam e of t h e jungl e Wh ere .

thi s is t h e c as e t h e hu nte r mus t S pri n kl e s ome o f t h e

blood toward t h e pl an t in ord e r to propiti ate t h e gen iu s o f
t h e hun t If th ere is a ch as e and t h e whol e vill age is
.
,

co n ce rn ed it mu s t firs t b e as ce rt ain ed by divi n ation if

,

t h e day is propitiou s and t h e no te are in f avor S ome .

gu ns traps o r s n are s are more lucky th an oth e rs T h e

, .

”
s pirit geniu s o r lif e of a good gun (s dmyeng) is
,
“ “ ”
s om e tim es see n pl ayi ng or d an cin g o n t h e gu n ;
thi s is alw ays a good S ign and s uch a we apon is s ure t o
1 42 THE KACH INS .

k ill . If a gun tr ap o r s n ar e be h andl e d in a w ay dis p leas

,

in g to t h e na ts luck is go n e an d n othi n g will b e hit o r

,

c a ught In fi s hi n g ve ry much t h e s am e rul es are Ob se rved

. .

N o t to S pe ak to anyon e o n t h e ro ad n o t to e xp e ct too ,

much and e ve n if th e re is a good h aul to s pe ak Of it in

,

a d e pr e c atin g m an n e r are import an t rul es to ob se rve

, .

Eve ryd ay life is h edge d about with s imil ar cus toms and
Ob serv an ces A p ers o n mus t no t crawl u nd e r t h e b ars
.
‘

at t h e s ta bl e e n tr an c e H e mu s t n o t cr awl un d er a hou se
.
,

as th e re m ay be wom e n in t h e hou se an d it is v e ry unfo rt u ,

n at e if a man at an y mom e n t fi n d s him se lf at a lowe r

e l e v ati o n th an a wom an T O dress a man in a wom an s

’
.

s kirt is n o t o n ly d is ho n ori n g him it will m ak e him u n lucky , .

N o o n e mu s t s te p ove r a p e rs o n as l ee p o r wh en s imply
r e clin i n g an d a wom an mus t n e ver s te p acros s t h e rope
,

o r a pol e th at m ay h appe n t o b e in h er w ay S h e mu s t .

r emove it o r p ass und e r it A Ka chin doe s n o t wi s h t o .

h ave an ythin g s aid in re g ard t o po ss ibl e mi s fortun e and

d e ath A m aliciou s o r e ven a pl ayful in s in u ation o r
.
,

s ugges tio n is d ee ply r ese n t ed It es t ablis h es Wh at h e c all s.

an a na o kra an un pl e as an t for e bodi n g

, o r an i n vi s ibl e ,

bran d which before t h e n ats may m ark him as a doomed

Th e umbe r n in e is t h e sa cred n umber in K achin lore

n ,

but oth e rwis e it does n o t h ave any p articul ar s ign ifican ce .

Th e re is n o es peci al me an in g attach ed t o it in re g ard t o

life n owad ays O n ly form erly e ve rythin g re vol ve d aroun d
.

t h e n umbe r n i n e .

O rdea ls It is quite n atural th at t o a pe opl e so full o f

.

s up e rs titio n t h e an ci e n t cu s tom o f appe alin g to ord e als

,

s hould n o t be u n k n own S om e o f t h e mos t commo n form s

.

are t h e followi n g An accu s e d p arty may pro ve t h e f al s i t y

.

o f t h e ch arge by dippin g t h e h an d in to boili n g w at e r o r

m e lti n g l ead If n o h arm comes to t h e pe rs o n o n tri al

.

inn ocen ce is es tabli s he d N owad ays thi s s e ver e tes t is

.

( w is e ly ) n e ve r r eso rte d t o and mild e r form s are t aki

,
n g
i t s pl ace An e gg is broke n an d t h e d efen d an t dips
.
,
 IN Q UEST O F THE UNKNO WN . 1 43

t he t lk of e l eph ant gr ass in to t h e yolk ; if any

end o f a s a

Of t h e ye llow adhe re s t o t h e gr ass h e is guilty if no t h e ,

is i nn oce n t .

Form e rly a common tes t w as t o in voke t h e lightn i n g t o

st rik e o n e d e ad if guilty T h e vill age pri es t co n ducte d
.

t h e procee din gs T h e co n te n di n g p arti es s at f aci n g e ach

.

o ther e ach with a lo n g pole i n

, h is h an d T h e pri es t .

re citi n g h is inc ant atio n s implore d t h e no t of thu nde r t o

i n dic ate t h e guilty A s h e fin i s h e d t h e lightn i n g it may
.
, ,

be from a p e rfe ctly cl e ar s k y would s trik e and kill t h e ,

Offe nd er o n t h e s pot N o o ne n ow ad ays prete nd s to be .

abl e to work thi s mir acl e .

T h e w at e r tes t is howe ve r s till practice d

-
,
T h e accu s e d
, .

and h is fri e n d s s tan d o n o n e s id e Of a ri ve r an d t h e accu se r ,

an d his p arty s t an d o n t h e oppo s it e C attl e mon ey o r .

,

house hold good s are brought forth and in t h e prese n ce ,

o f witn e sses it is a gree d th at if t h e accu s e d is prove d

inn oc en t h is accu se rs mu s t d e live r all th e y h ave brought t o

him if t h e Oppo s ite pro ve s to b e t h e case h e mu s t lo se
,

a ll o n h is s id e Afte r due ce re moni es o f t h e pries t t h e

.
, .

chi e f pa rties from both s ide s go down i nto t h e s tre am Th e .

gui lty p arty find s it im po s s ibl e to put h is h ead u n d er t h e

w ate r whil e h e do es it with e ase if i nn oce n t T hi s would
, .

see m to be a p ar ticul arly e as y t es t provided t h e guilty ,

p art y did n o t a llow h is im agi n atio n to ru n aw ay w ith

him O th e r form s borrowe d from S h an s an d Burm an s
.

are al s o res ort e d to but thi s ki n d of tri al is g e tti n g mor e

,

an d more u n commo n as t h e p e opl e h ave more co n fid e n ce in

,

Briti s h ju s tice th an in t h e imp arti ality o f t h e nu ts .

Witch craft Th e be lief in W itc h es and Wiz ard s is common

-
.

all ove r Burm a an d h as bee n re cogn ized by law an d

,

cu s tom From a K achin poin t of vi e w a witch is a p e rs on

.

“ ”
with t w o s oul s o n e his o wn an d t h e othe r b e lo n gi n g
,

t o a no t T h e i n dividu al m ay o r may n o t be co n s cious

.

of the fact H e h as t h e pow e r to harm othe rs by

.

an oc cult i n flu e n ce but it is n o t n e c essary th at h e sh ould

,

be aware th at h e is thus ben t o n mis chi ef T his is di s cove re d .

1 44 TH E KACH INS .

by t he rul es of divin ation an d t h e witch (it may be ,

an i n di vidu al or a whol e f amily) n e v e r kn ows th at h e

w as t ak e n po s s es s io n of by a witch na t u n til i n form e d -

by t h e di vin e r T wo ki nd s of witch s pirits are re co gni z e d :

.
-

t h e l dmum which is comp ar ati ve ly h arml e ss c au s i n g s ores

, ,

o r mi n or troubl es an d t h e ya ( t h e rat ) which in t h e s h ap e O f

,

a rat e n t e rs an d e at s o u t t h e i n s id e of a man C o nvul .

s io n s fes t eri n g s ores mi s fortune s to c attl e and ho rs es

, ,

are u s u ally attribut e d to t h e yu

‘ ‘

Wh e n a p e rs on h as b een t ak en s udd en ly ill an d by ,

divi n ation it h as b e come cl e ar th at a W itch is at work ,

t h e firs t s t e p is to fin d out t h e guilty p arty T hi s c an .

as a ru l e b e r e ve al e d o n ly by t h e b e witch e d p e rs o n him s e lf

T h e s p irit th at h as m ad e him ill wi ll through him m ak e

k n own wh at i n dividu al h e b e lo ngs to Th at i n di vidu al .

may b e a mo s t u n willi n g p arty to t h e work h e is doi n g

-

S om e tim e s it t ak es a gr e at d e al of co axin g an d argui n g

with m an y thre ats or promi ses to i n duce t h e S pirit t o ,

re ve al it s id e ntity Promi s es are m ad e th at if you re ve al

"
‘

.
,
.

yourse lf n o h arm will be don e to t h e p ers o n you b e lo n g to

” “
you will re ce ive an y gift you as k for ; all w e w an t
‘

is to k n ow who you are wh at you d es ire an d your e ve ry

'

”
wi s h will b e gr an te d an d more to th at e ffe ct Wh e n
,
.
,

howe ve r th e ir Obj e ct is gai n ed a different t al e will be

, ,

told T h e u nfortu n at e p arty or family may b e dri ve n away

.

from hom e an d vill age or s old i nto s l ave ry It is e as y .

to s e e how thi s s up e rs titio n would in t h e h and s of uns c rup u

lou s pe rs o ns be a powe rful w e apon ag ains t anyo ne toward
whom th ey h e ld a grudge H e could accu se anyone and the re .

w as re ally n o w ay to pro ve th at h e w as wro n g A m an .

Of i n flu e n ce b acke d up by t h e pri e s ts an d oth e r l eadin g me n

, ,

could accu se anyo ne h e pl e as ed and h e would be di s po s ed

o f as ju s t d es crib e d o r e ve n kill e d A l arge n umbe r of .

t h e S l aves all ove r t h e H ill s are s uch unfortu nat e me n and

wom e n who h ave bee n ch arged with be ing po sses s ed by th es e
troubl e s om e s pirits .

Bl ack ca ts if foun d in witch famili es are said to h ave t h e

,
-
,
P ri est b esee ch ing the n a ts . P . 144
.
 IN Q UEST O F THE U NKNO WN . 1

p ower t o cause th e de ath of rat s o r fowls by merely lo ok ing

at t h em . If s uc h a c at jumps o ver a c o rps e lyin g in st ate it
‘
,

wi ll c au se t h e pirit o f t h e de ad pe rso n t o wander and s tray

s

fro m t h e ro ad it o ught t o t ak e
'

If an in dividu al o r a
'

.
,

fam ily bec o rh e c o nvin ced th at t h ey are really t h e m e di ums

th ro ugh which t h e s pi rits do th e ir mis ch ief the y may m ake ,

a public co nfess io n and at a sacrifice m ak e a promi se th at in

t he m a do in g h arm th ey w ill agree to be old i nt o

r e , s

s l ave ry o r e ve n t o b pu ni s h e d with d eath Th i s 18 int en d

,
e .

ed more as a W arni n g t o t h e s pirit th an t o it s u n willin g

witch es . S ome carry ch arm s t o prot ect the m ag ains t thi s

vil , but no o ne can be s ur e S o me bewi tch by m ere ly
‘

e .

loo kin g at a pers on . This remind s us o f th e e vil e ye ,

Man y o f t h e tri nke ts o r plugged c o ins worn by children i

are really ch arm s t o gu ard ag ain s t thi s form of e vil In .

”
o ld en time if an i ndividu al died be i ng be wi tch ed h is , ,
”
family o r tribe would oft en apply t h e ly nch law and ,

e ither kill or e n s l ave t h e f amily without any furth e r co ns ul

t at io n with chie fs and e ld e rs Man y o f t h e K achin s c ann ot

.

wh y they are no t allowed t o di spos e o f t hem accordi n g

t o o ld cu s tom s an d tr adi tio n s With th em th ere is n o do ubt
.

t hat t h e d an ge r is real and th ey full y be li e ve th at only

,

t he mos t dr as tic m e as ure s Will be o f any use .

C ursing (matsa do t o r)
,
‘

If an u n p ardonable Offence
.

h as be en com mitte d an d t h e guilty p arty re fu ses t o s ubmit

t o a fin e o r s e ttl em en t o n f air t e rm s t h e s uffe re r may res ort
,
“ ”
t n t h e e xpedi en t Of sendi ng a curse by which with t h e ,

h elp o f t h e nuts t h e Offend er will s uffer bodily afllic tio n

and even deat h .

Th e s a hye mdraw t h e fate caus in g dyse nt ery is

, ,

t h e evil genius u s u ally i n vok ed an d sen t o n t he mi ss io n

of c urs in g an d pun i s hin g t h e i n ten d ed victim A pri es t .

fa m ili ar wi t h t h e se rvi ce Of this no t is call ed and in

10
1 46 THE K C A H INS .

t h e deepes t secrec y h e with t h e inst igat o r p ans t h e det ai s l l .

T he pri est rec e ives a h andso me presen t if his curse is

e ffe cti ve at all e ven t s h e is given a s w o rd o r a spear
, It is ;

i mpo rtan t t h at t h e victim s ho uld kn ow n ot hin g abo ut wh at

i s goin g o n as t h e curse may be ineffe ct ive and a h eavy
,
“ ”
fi ne wi ll be imposed upo n t h e curser if anyth ing l eak s
o ut .

By divin ation it is as certained wh at kin d o f an Offering

is r equired It mus t be e ither a do g a h o g o r a go at
.
,
.

Bes ides as supplementary Offerings are provided ( 1) se ven

,

b amboo se c tions fille d wi t h s oil from t h e s tabl e ; (2) a very

O fi e ns ive s mell i ng k in d o f fruit ; (3) wil d gin g er and dried

fis h an d (4) a s pe ci es Of grou n d rat (mdgan)

, These are -
.

made up in to se ven p ack ages pl aced in seven b amboos , ,

ro ll e d in se ven pl an tain l eaves Se ven s talk s of t al l e l eph ant

.

grass and se ven s tal k s Of a l arge reed are po inte d and

pl aced with t h e offe rings .

T h e imprecati o n always t ak es p l ace at e venin g and in ,

o rd er th at no o ne may s u s pe ct t h e real n atur e o f t h e

pro ceedings it is i n tim ated th at h e is ex pel lin g t h e no t o f

mal e diction from his o wn hou se Wh en t h e pri es t is .

done wi t h t h e preliminaries and h as rec ited his form ul as

of curs in g t h e imprecator t h e priest and five or
”
,
”
, ,

s ix trus te d comp an ions go o ut o n t h e ro ad leadin g t o

,

t h e victim s hou se o r vill age

’
There th ey sel e c t a cinnamon
.

t r ee an d t o t hi s is t i ed t h e m ain sac rifi ce Th e s upple men .

t ary offeri n gs are t ied aroun d t h e t runk o f t h e tree ‘

all k ind s Of c ala vi ctim During t hi s

mat ies to vis it the .

h e holds a s talk o f t h e reed an d e l eph an t gr ass in his

h an d b al an ci n g the m lik e a s pear Fin is hing t h e l is t Of .

“ ”
h is c urses h e t hrow s t h e s pe ar ai mi n g at t h e o f
fe ri ngs ,

ti ed t o t h e t ree If it hits and re m ain s right in t h e ce nter o f

.

o ne o f t h em it is a s ure S ign th at t h e curse is ef

, fective .

T h e pri es t h avi ng throw n his spear oth ers prese n t do ,

t h e sam e and ea ch is aim ed at t h e h eart o f t h e en emy

,
.

If guns are u sed th e tree is riddl ed with bulle ts When .

 IN QUEST O F THE UNKNO WN . 147

all is ended and part y is ready t o ret urn t h e sacrifice

th e ,

(usually a dog) is killed and either buried at t h e place

,

o r h un g up ne ar t h e t ree as in dic ate d by t h e diviner

, .

In re g ard t o all th ese ways o f l oo k in g into t h e future it is

interes ting t o n otice h ow s imil ar practices are fo un d among
all t h e rel ate d tribes and race s o f eas t ern Asi a It is .

impos si ble t o cl aim o riginality fo r any o ne tribe o r peo plm

It all be longs t o the co mmon deposit and be liefs rul es , ,

fro m eas t to wes t, ly

bein g modified as t he y h ave
on

been adopte d by o ne t ribe o r anoth er Th ere is no .

abs o lute uniformity in c us to m s e ven amon g t h e same cl an

o r family In t h e c ase of witc h craft fo r ins t ance so me

.
, ,

K achins fo ll o w a prac ti ce which may in re ality be S h an

or B urmese Wh en t h e witch h as made known it s identity
.
,

and told ( o f co urse t hro ugh t h e af fli c ted pers on) wh at ,

presents are re q uired t h ese are pl aced in a b as k et

,

and c arried o uts id e If t h e s pirit is s atisfied t h e affl ict ed

.
,

p arty wil l at o n ce fee l be tter and gradu ally improve

”
,

as t h e W it c h s p irit h as t ak en it s d ep art ure

-
If o n t h e o ther
.

h and t h e p arty gro ws w o rse o ther meas ures mus t be,

reso rt ed t o A sacrifi ce may be o ffered in t h e j ungle in

.

which t h e peo pl e o f t h e h o u se mus t no t part ak e and o th er ,

Offerin gs may be mad e as directed by divin ati o n .

M agic in th e proper se nse o f t h e word is no t an

, ,

i mpo rt an t p art Magici ans are few and t hose wh o know

.
,

h o w t o pr acti ce t h e bl ack art are s till fe wer T h e be li ef .

is growing th at in th ese d e gener at e d ays wh en bo o k s ,

and t h e w ays o f t h e ha lo t ak e t h e pl ace Of t h e ances tral

wis dom these secrets are rapidly being forgotten and t h e

”
, ,

s u pe rnatural po wers wh o ass i s t ed in all th ese t hings are

n o t abl e t o S ho w th e ir p articul ar abil iti es as th ey did

form erly It is t h e c ompl aint o f t h e negro preacher o ver

.

a g ain t h at t o o many q u est io ns sp o il all o ur t h eo l o gy

, .
 We h ave lready
m enti on ed th at t h e re ligion common
a
'

t o all t h e K achin t ribes is s pirit wo rs hip o r d e mon ol atry .

I t is S h am ani s m o r ani mi s m in a form pe c uliarily ad apte d t o

m ountain peop le t rm .wors hip ge nerally e mployed

The e fl a t-

in B urm a d efi nes more c learly t h an any other t h e s p e ci al

,

fo rm o f an imi s m c omm on t o t h e whole o f e as tern A s i a

'

All th e Mo ngoli an tribe s and races are at he art an imi s ts ,

Wh ateve r form o f re ligio n th ey may o th erwi se profess '

A Chin am an or a Burman is as truely a s pirit wors hipper

as fa C hin o r a K achin Ritu al s cere moni es creed s and
'

. , ,

fo rm s o f express ion will diffe r but b ack of it all lingers t h e ,

p rimi tive f aith in s pirits d emon s nuts or wh atever th ey

'

.
, , ,

n eve r been able t o e ra dicate t h e d ee p rooted beli ef amo n g -

t he m asses t h at gh o s ts spiri t s d emons an g els o r dev ils

, , , , ,

are abl e t o i nterfe re in t h e aff airs o f men

’

All o ver In dia . .

an d in Moha mmed an coun tri es n othing is more in e vid e n ce

th an t h e s h rin e t o s ome d ep art ed s ai nt s om e guardian ,

s pirit o r minia ture go d io r godd ess o f h ardly more th an

,

lo cal iniport ance Eve n in Europe s o me of t hese fo rms

.

of su pers tit io n are st ill in e vid enc e amon g t h e l es s educ ate d .

In t h e K achin H ill s we c an s ti ll r ead t h e ancest ral s t o ry in ,

n early it s original form of m any a t ribe a nd r ace that

'

.
,

p oin t iew t hat t h e religio n o f b ack ward races is of

of v .

es pe ci al importance t o t h e s tuden t o f reli gio us e vo l ut i on;

.

B ut apart from t his if we Wis h t o un ders tand t h e h eart

'

a nd m in d of a s avage tribe we mu st kn ow the ir fo rms

'
‘ '
'

.
,

is far more re ligious t h an h is Ic iviliz ed bro ther . l

R e igion
150 m “ cams .

fi
is of t h e very rst impo rt an e t o him Everyt hing h e c .

c
does can be t ra ed t o some fo rm of be ief, t o so me re igio us l l
cus to m and s uperst i tio n His who le soc i al and famil y life is
.

regul at ed by hi s re l igio us pra t i es , and in his work or c c

l
amu sement h e is a w ays under t h e s h ad o w o f his in vis ible

guardian s or t o rmento rs Th ey fo l o w him as his o wn

. l
c
sh ado w from t h e rad e t o t h e grave l .

his faith . Fr o m a se ret c dread of th e ac ts h e wi ll keep

and d et ails Bes id es t h e o rdinary K achin is

impo rt ant .
,

no mo re familiar wi t h t h e in tric ac i es of his e l abo rate ritual

t han are t h e uninitiat e d wit h t h e part icul ars bel o ngin g

t o h igher fo rm s o f faith H e fo l lo ws t h e le ad ers hip of
.

is en ough fo r him t o o bs erve t h e rules and re gulati ons

e l abo rat e d by c u s to m and us age fro m ances tral times Th e .

h il l tribes h ave fo r ce nturies been in co nt act wi t h t h e

great o riental rel igio ns but n eit h e r B udd his m Co nfucianism ,

no r H i nd ui s m h ave at tract ed o r infl u en ce d t h e m in any

impo rtant p art ic ul ars A fe w h ave accepted a d e generat e

.

form o f S h an B uddhism and s ome Chinese c u s to ms are

,

t raceabl e h ere and t h ere but t h e great m ass o f o ur illiterat e

,

mo un taineers h o ld t h e ances t ral f ai t h and sacrifice t o ,

B ack of the s i n its mos t d eve o ped fo rms

pirit wo rs hip l
we find ances to r wors h ip, nek ro lat ry, t h e fear o f t h e d ep arted,
t h e awe in t h e presen e o f d eath
‘

c
Amon g t h e C hinese .

and J ap anese we mee t t his faith in it s m ost adv an e d s tage ; c

t h e h igh er ua ls were o nce no thing but o rdinary mo rt al s ;
bu t passing o ut fro m t h e mun d ane s ph ere th ey be came

appeas e su ch d
s h a es , wh o as a ru e l e xhibit a j ealo us
 m: KACHIN R ELIGIO N
r . 1 51

Th ese spirits demo ns sh ades o r nats are innumerable

, , ,

and o ccupy e very imagin abl e pl ace abo ve and be low .

Th ey rule th e s un t he moo n and t h e s ky They dwell

, .

E very waterfall cave o r precipito us ro ck will h ave it s

,

guardian as well as every wood fiel d o r l arge tree

, Each
, .

vi ll age tri be o r family may h ave t h e ir p art icul ar divin ities

, ,

t o who m s pec ial at t e n tio n is due T h e s upernatur al in t ru

.

ders h ave n othin g in common wit h t h e o ld cl ass ic god s

o r g odd esses an d o nly a di s t an t re l atio n s hi p with t h e
,

fairies fates k obolds trolls and hobgoblins o f medi aev al

, , ,

E urO pe Th e d elightful in h abitan ts o f Te uto n ic o r S can di

.

n avi an f airy l an d -
o r t h e s ylv an d e ni ze ns th at e nte rt ain
,
”
us in A Mid s ummer N ight s Dream do n o t thrive in
’
,

t h e fores ts and bamboo gr o ves o f t h e K achin hill s .

Th e K achins live in c ons tan t dread o f t h e nuts wh o are ,

al w ays re ady t o t ake revenge if t re s p asses kn owi ngly ,

o r unk n owin gl y are co mmitt e d

, If t h e u s u al sacrifices .

are wi t h h el d ; if a vesse l s hrine o r altar be lo n gin g t o t h e

,

sacrifi ci al s ervi c e h as bee n d ese cr ated ; if anyon e h as s te ppe d

in to t h e p l ace set ap art fo r t h e gu ardi an hou se hold n uts ,

o r if without an y ap p arant r easo n wh ats oe ver a s pirit

capricious ly des ires a fres h offe rin g so me mi sfortune will ,

be fall t h e un fortunate i ndividu al f amily o r commu nity ,

.

H ou ses wil l b urn fie ld s be d e v as tat ed t he crop s will fail

, , ,

b ad luc k will follo w e ve ry unde rt ak in g illness o r e pid e mics ,

will vi s it men and b e as t s an d mis e ry po verty and d eath, ,

will follow T h e na ts alo ne can re es t ab li s h fortu ne and

.

h app i nes s and in t h e c ase of di sease admi nis te r t h e re m edi es ;

b ut no t bein g o f a co mpassi o nate n ature th ey ne ve r ren d er ,

ass ist an ce unl ess prope rly pro p iti ated Th us t h e life o f .

a Kac hin is o ne l o n g st ruggl e ag ainst ad verse po wers ,

o ne co ntinuo us e f fort t o kee p o n t h e goo d s ide o f t h e always

Th e fact th at t h ere is a p resc ribed fo rm o f na mes for all

Ofa primitive fet ic hi sm th ere are o nly v ery fain t indicat io ns '

Th e us e o f c harm s an d amul e t s go es b ac k t o an c s tral

e
tim es ; but th e obje c ts no w u s ed are m os tl y obtaine d fro m
.

t h e S hans and Ch ines e T at o o ing i s a l ate i n troductio n

'

. _ (

fro m t h e S h an an d those wh o live away from S h an c o mmu

,

n iti es h ardly e ve r s ub mi t t o t he practi ce Trees rock s

'

. .
,

o r anirnals are ne ver wors hippe d e ve n though th ey may

‘
'

be re garde d as in habi te d by na ts and no im ages of any .

,

k in d are e ve r m ad e o r use d .

i dividu al s attending t o t h e re ligiou s need o ft h e c ommunity

n .

They are as a rule t h e mos t in t el lige nt and best informed ,

but are no t di s tin guis he d by dress h abits o r m orals ; Th e re ,

-

rec o gn iz e d, : and t h e dut ies ch are clearly de fined The

of e a
'

pries t alone is famili ar with t h e re ligious l anguage chan ted

and c tral and onl y t h e initi ate d are famil iar w ith
.
an es ,
.

con te n ts and ph r aseo logy T h e pries t is ge ne rally a leading

.

divine r wh o by hi s art as certains wh at real i s in evidence

,
. .

and wh at ofi ering i s re quired .

T h e highes t re li gious a utho ri t y is t he jaiwa a kind o f ,

we ddin g o r at t h e re ligio us da nce (meinan) he re hearses .

t h e Wh ole K achin h is to ry fro m creati on t o our o wn times

’ “ ‘ ‘

, , ,

takin g ; thre e days and nights for this really marvell ous .

feat of me mory It is all re cite d in rhy thmic langu age

.
,

a bou n din g as do all t h e reli giou s formul as in p ar a

, lle lism ,

and allite rations H e i s s uppose d ne ve r t o make a mist ake

.

as t o form and s ubs tanc e but th e vocabulary and phras eo logy

a

are left t o a l arge ex t m t t o the c ho ic e of t h e in di vidual ~ It is .

 w e m ean : RELIG IO N . 153

mis t ake t o t hink t h at t he lo ng and tires ome rh aps o dies

' '

re cited on s u ch o ccasions are all a meaningless j argon . A

large p art of t he voc abul ary is an tiq uated , or e choes
re min is cences from an rlier pas t
ea , but it is
u n de rs tood
'

by the e lde rs and is use d amon g them in general conver

‘

wh at is sa id but
, all h ave a ge neral .
idea as to mean in g and

Ne xt to t he Jaiwa re gul ar pries t (dumsa)

c o mes
f th e .

T hree grades may be re cogni zed : tho se wh o c an pro n o unce

a bl ess in g o n ordi nary occ as ions t ho se authori zed t o
s acrifice to t h e an ce s tr al s pirits (t su dumsa); and tho se wh o

minis ter t o th e te rres tri al and celes ti al uals (ga dum a) .

T h e firs t cl ass c an offe r o nly w ate r liquor e ggs an d drie d , ,

fi sh ; t h e se con d c l ass can in addit ion t o th ese offer fowl s

a n d pigs whil e t h e t hird re aches t h e h e ight o f sacrifici n g
,

c attl e p articul arly buffaloes

, O rdinarily t h e pries t o ffic iat es
.

i n hi s e ve ryd ay g arb but whe n addres s ing t he M a (c e l e s ti al)

,

m t he may put o n s ome thi ng o f a robe or go wn w avin g

.
-

l ,

be fore h im a b unch o f tall e leph an t gr ass ; and whe n

-

t h e nut o f wealth ( mdda z ) is i n voked h e w ears a mi t re

’

o rnam e n t e d with fe athe rs tu s k s an d s om e im es flowe rs

t , A .

p art o f t h e hind qu arter o f t h e animal sacrifi ced goes t o t he

.

pries t fo r h is se rvi ces .

A s a s ubordin at e an d ass is t an t to t he pri est come s t h e .

h k z njawng who o fiic iat es at t h e putting up o f t h e altar

’

, ,

a nd cutti ng up o f t h e sac rifice If fowl s are offere d h e . .

h an gs th e m at t h e alt e r in s m all b as kets and afte r t he ,

bles s ing is pro no uned kills th e m by s tr an gling When . .

larger sacrifi ces are o n t h e programm e h e s elects and

a rr anges s uch pa rts a s a re i nte n d e d for t h e nuts and .
,

c onnect i on with this a mo s t minut e l b r t t

and e a o a e ri ua l that
m ust be .
seen t a be unders too d . Th e arran gi ng
. of th e
154 THE n on ms .

c c
be p l a ed o n ea h h as been develo ped int o a fine art .

ll
H e t ak es a sma p ie e o f eac h part o f t he sa ric c fice (a p ie ce
t h em up in s mall c
pa k ages and presents the m o n t h e
”at al t ar Thi s funct io nary is paid with a p art o f t h e neck
q
-
.

if it is a large o ffering , and a le g if it is a l

.

wh o may be e ith er a man or a wo man . But on impo rt ant

(mu sinlap bunghpoi o r mddai) o nly men are ad mi t ted I t

, , , .

t hen be co mes his duty t o kill ( u s u all y t o s pe ar) t h e sacrifice .

In addi tio n t h e hpungla m atten d s t o t h e po urin g o f t h e

th e me ni al work of the o ccasion .

pre viou s ch apt er may o r may no t o fficiat e in a religio us

cap acity Their wo rk is n o t c o nfined t o t h e religio us s phere
. .

Di vination is always an impo rtant p art in e very case when

t o by t h e priest s .

Qflefi ngs K ach in ac ts are no t o ver particular as

.Th e
t o wh at and t he re is no dis t inc tio n be t ween clean
is o ffe red,
and un cl ean anim al s Th us may be present ed water li quor
.
, ,

rice vegetabl es rats moles s quirrel s dried or fres h

, , , , ,

fis h p r awns e ggs fowls pig s co ws and buffal oes

, , , Go ats
, , .

and dogs are offere d t o t h e nat o f ins anity and t h e fat es

ll
va ey din aril y wo ul d be presente d fo wls o r s mall
wh ere or

pigs and in so me lo cali ties

, t h e b ark er
”
is k ill ed t o
k ee p a way t h e na t caus ing d eath in co nfinement (saw )
and t h e cruel genius of s olitary places All

and h ung or p la ed c on t h e s hrine o r al t ar, or p l a ed in c

Water and liquo r are prese nte d in b amboo se ct ions ; e ggs
are st rung up on bamboo split s and are seen h anging
 THE KAC HIN RELIGIO N . 155

anywhere abo ut t h e h o use , b ut es ep cially near t h e fro nt

doo r, wh ere t he y p resent ed t o t h e causing r
'

are nut so es ,

pries ts appro p riat e t h e mos t d es irable po rtio ns and t h e

, ,

w ho le vill age h as a feas t Th e no t in q ues ti o n is sup posed

.

t o be sa tis fie d wi t h t he life wh ich is ho use d and kept

”
'

a hun re d years
d in t h e c e l es ti al s tabl es W e h ave .

already m e n tio ned t h e tradi t io n re g ardi n g t h e fruit o f

life
”
Ano ther versio n h as it th at when men be came mort al
.
,

t h e gard e n by t h e s id e o f t h e h o use o f t h e rs t fi men .

Th ere t he fo wls at e t h e fruit o f t h e pl an t o f life, t h e cattle

devo ure d t h e leaves and t h e hogs we nt for t h e ro ots Thus .

t h e p l an t was kill e d and men c ompl ain ed T h e guilty .

p arti es th en p ro mised th at as th ey h ad d es troyed t h e he alth

and life giving pl an t th e y wo uld s ub mit t o be o m e s ubs t i
-
c
t ut es fo r man, giving up their ives fo r his l
Th i s t radition .

x
is al ways rec i t ed as an e cuse fo r takin g an i nno en t anim al c
lif e whene ver c at t l e are sacri ed fic .

N at alta rs
-
We h ave in C hapter III given a general idea
.

o f t h e pl aces sacr e d t o t h e na ts and men tio ne d t h e s hrines

,

o r al t ars use d as re c e pta l es fo r t h e o fc

fe ri ngs It is d iffi u t . c l
to des cribe t hese al t ars as they bear no rese mbl ance t o
anythin g we give this n ame They are rather small tables
.

o r s h e lves mad e in a rud e and crud e w ay o f w oo d and

,

bathhoo Tak i n g t h e alt ar o f t h e ac t of heaven (mu) as

.

a s ampl e we be gin wit h a s m al l lo g fres hly c ut fro m

,

t h e j ungl e ; th i s h avin g t h e length o f e ight o r nine fee t

, ,

is sp li t abo ut t wo third s d o wn into fo ur p arts th at are bent

-

o ut ward fo r t h e s uppo rt o f a wick er s h elf o r t abl e abo u t a

foo t and a h alf s q u are S mall bunches o f e le ph ant grass

.

are ti e d t o t h e co rners o f t his s hel f and t h e wh o l e is raised

and fixed in t h e gro und There t h e al t ar rem ains until

.

it fall s do wn by d ecay o r is run d o wn by cat t le

, Th e .

sh apes and mak e up of t h e dif -

ferent al t ars vary so mewh at ,
 S M yin introdu ce d fro m the Shan
'

put up t o a not c alle d .

The cro sses t o which c attl e are tied when s acrifice d are
made up of t wo heavy pieces o f timbe r fixe d i n th e gro und
,

and t ied t o get h er s o as form a S t Andre w s cross . S o me

to .
’

tim m t wo
-

he avy logs from t rees j us t fe ll ed fi xe d s ec urely ,

is hun g up o n th e cro ss but o nly tied to it whil e kill ed

no t , ,

Th e h ead o r t h e sk ull al one is hung up on o ne of t h e po s ts ~

.

The N e t s T h e n umbe r o f ne ts as already m en tione d;

.
,

is l e gion Th ey h ave e xis te d from t he earli es t d awn

.

o f day and s till co n t in u e t o m ultiply

, N o att emp t is m ade -
.
-
"

t o cl ass ify t h e i nn um e rabl e i n h abitan ts o f t h e in visible

.
, ,

world b ut it is eas y t o trace se veral ord ers and d egrees

,
‘
.

Firs t c ome t h e primitive fl ats born o f K ringkmwn a nd ’

cloud s . Th e na mes of th ese uals , s e env in number, i ndi cate

L a N Gam t h e firs t
-
,
-
born , the ze
glo riou s chi ef ( l dh f zg) , .

pro t ector o f t h e field s t he commo n l abo rer

L a N La, t h e-
, .

La N Tu; t h e ori gin o f st rengt h a nd t h e s trong arm

“
-
.

L a N tang t h e Lord of t h e s u n ;
,

L a N Yaw t h e no t o f wealth
p
, t h e f at h er of th e
F at es (mdmw) .

La N Ifl ea t h egl oriou s light t h e s ource of wis do m

, , .

m es we re transmi tted t o t h e first ma l e Chil dren born

'
'

na

of m en and are tod ay e arn e d by t h e s o ns in every familyl

'

Th eir w ork is c arried o n b y t h eir mumero us c hildre n and

des cen dan ts We h ere m ee t with an early attempt of
.
'

Th e p air prod uc e d by wind i an d cl ouds , h avin g in e ig ht

 run us cnnv REL IGIO N .

t o t he cel es tial fl a ts wirits t h e eart h

( mt s h ddzp) wi th whi ch the y are es pe cially id en tifie d
’
‘ ‘

ga , ,
] ’ ,

and O l derS Of the F at es T h ese s p irit s are very c l o sel y

’

tW O ‘
‘

is t h e pirit of t h e upper gions th at speak s t o in

'

s re us

th e voice of t h e thunder and t he earth S pirit can bless ,

or u n do every unde rtakin g In c lo s e re l atio ns hip t o th es e .

,

while O perat ing in a more limite d s phere; are s uch S pirits or '

demo ns as ]t ng a cru e l mon s te r inh abiti n g c aves w at er

, ,

fall s an d deu ce fores ts ; C hydga t h e cau se o f so res and

'
'
'
,

sk in di se ases ; Sad dam a gn ome or f e mal e ho bgob li n a -

.

, ,

singl e h air of which i ns ures wealth and pow er In m any .

localities t h e S a tnam is ident ified with a wild man o f “

.

t h e w oods c all e d O hy dwoz This mons te r h as o nl y o ne

'
’

l .

eye in t h e middl e o f t h e for e h ead ; t h e no se grow s up s ide

”
down t h e breasts r each t o th e ankl es an d th e h eel s
,
'
,
s
“
grow in fro nt S o m et imes th i s s tr an ge individ ual app e ars
.

” ‘
in v i sibl e fo rm and anyone see in g t h e , man will die
at o n c e Late ly it is s aid a w om an s aw O ne in a
.
, ,
'

vil l age near t h e C h ines e fron tie r and s h e di ed th e same

'
,

take o n more cl early d efin ed typ es in t h e pro ces s o f pe rs o ni

fi cation As tho ug h t h e Kachin pan t heo n w as n o t sufi i cie nt
.
‘

for all ord in ary purpo s es th ey h ave in trod uced t h e S agya ,

( Thagya) from t h e B urm es e and in t h e N or thern S h an

‘

S tates m any o f t h e chie fs build s mall s hri nes t o t he S h an

S amyin wh o h as t h e sam e un s avory re put a ti on as
’
na t
’

, ,

th e K achi n fah tung .

B ut t h e belie f in t he ances tral Sp irits ( ts u nat ) h as

Q
, ,

un doubte dly t h e s tro n ges t hold o n t h e popul ar im agina tion .

Th e beli e f in and re verence fo r thes e

‘
s h ades is t h e
fou nd ation Of all form s o f animism Every individ ual at .

de ath bec omes a ts u a kind of half nat (c omp are t h e ,

E gypt i an ka) and in t h e fin al o b sequies is sen t O ff t o t h e

,
~

an cest al re gi o ns If h s a r emains ; n ot h in g mo
'

r t e i u re i s c " ,

t ho ught o f it b ut if de termine d t o return, there is an

'

,
158 ms n oa ms .

ad ditio nal no t t o de al with . Mom o f t h e h o useh old fl ats

(gamga u gumhpai i )
n ; can pedigree t o so me t rac e t h eir
venerated fath er o r mo ther o r so me far a way ancest or , ,

wh o for s ome re as o n o r o t h er p referre d t h e former h abita

t ion t o t h e l an d o f t h e d e p art ed S trange t o s ay re turn in g .

spiri ts are nearly al w ays ben t o n mi sc hief Th e affe ct i o nate .

mo th er will re turn fro m s pirit l and and in t h e s h ape o f

a chi rpin g crick e t e ntice t h e gh os t o f t h e s till living child t o

wander away and deat h will fo ll o w in a few mont h s

, .

A departed friend will return and leave h is fingermarks

o n t h e bo iling rice wi t h t h e res ult t h at mo s t o f t h e p art ak ers

will s i ck en and die An o ld resp ect ed c hief if no t pro pe rly

.
,

b uried wi ll cause a drought o r d eluge d es tro yi n g t h e

, ,

cro ps o f t h e whole c ommunity There is apparen tly no .

case o n rec o rd where a dep arted s pirit h as impro ved in

co mpany with t h e s h ad es .

In a cl ass by th emse lves co m e t h e F ates (maraw m) ,

t h irt y nine in n umber prob ably dis tant rel atives o f t h e

-
,

t hirty se ven nats o f t h e B u rm ese

-
They trace th eir ances try .

t o La N Yaw t h e si xth bo rn Of t h e prime v al nats

-
, They .

are esp ec i ally j ealou s and r e ven ge ful and th e ir p afii cul ar ,

j ealousy o r c on tempt We h ave h ere a pe rsonification of

.

s u s pi cio n envy and r e ven g e

, They n otice all reports good .
,

o r b ad ; th e y li s te n t o all sl an d e r b ad wis h es c urses o r , ,

ill timed boast in g ; t h ey re cord all u nd ert akin gs and follow

-

every i ndividu al fro m b irth t o d ea th T h e Kachin f ai t h is : .

S peak abo u t thin k abo ut o r do anything t o arou se t h e

, ,

d emon and h e is right t h ere Conseq uently wh ate ver is

'

done it is o f t h e utmos t importance th at f ate s houl d be

prop iti ated and h arm averted Th ere is prob ably n o t hing .

th at h as a s tronger hold th an fear o f t h e Fates and n o t hing

'

so d angero us t o s peak abo ut Five o f t h e family are .

es pe cially feare d vi z S in chy dwoi Janja doi t h e fate o f

, .
, ,

darkness t h e mo t h er o f th e m all and t h e mo s t diffi cult

,

t o propiti ate ; N h tum da S a wa b drm t h e , mo t h er of ,

ac cid en t s ; So we mt S a h ti da t h e moth e r o f accid ents

, , ,
 ran KAC HIN REL G O I I N . 159

n -hkaw, th e fate f
of riends j e al o us y is pro verbi al
hip , wh ose ,

a n d Nga Ii da Nga h tung k dmc t h e dry ad o f t h e p l ant ain

, ,

gro ves wh o k n o ws all th at h appens o n t h e ro ad

, Th e .

Fates mos t co mmonly propiti ate d are t h e d ai mdraw ,

t h e f at e o f c urrent re po rts t h e gen ius o f as pers ion o r

,
,

d efamati on and t h e M atsa mdraw t h e d emon o f c urses

, ,

a nd mal e di ctions H u nting fis hin g worki ng t h e fi el ds o r

.
, ,

t r adin g at a funeral ho use buil din g o r a weddin g t h e

, , ,

”
d ar mdraw t h e geniu s o f as pers ion is pro minentl y
’

, ,

before t h e min d s o f t h e i ndividu al o r t h e co mmun ity At a .

we dding fo r e x ampl e t he re mu s t be Offerin gs t o t h e gen iu s

, ,

o f t h e b rid e s family (mdyu maraw) t o t h e hu s b an d s f amil y

’ ’
,

(mddu maraw) and t h e guiding s pirit o f th e gO be twee ns

,
-

( k dsa mdraw) mus t no t be forgotten But they all belong

, .

t o t h e ord er of t h e d ai mdraw .

Th e ex o rcis in g o f witches and wit ch s pirits h as a re ligio us -

s id e t o it ; o th erwi se t h e be lie f in witch es in n o t nece ssarily

a p art o f t h ei r rel i gi o n C onseq u en tly we h ave p refe rred t o

.

d eal with t h e qu es ti on o f witch es and wit chc r aft in t h e

p re vious ch apter T h e witch s pirit is an e vil no t and mu st
.

be t reated accordi ngly ; but mos t c o mmu n iti es n owad ays are
n o t tro ubl e d by th is mi sfortu n e as formerly Th e fact .

t h at wit c hes c an no lo nger be so ld or k ill e d h as a gre at

d eal t o do wi t h this .

Th e K ac hins m ak e it a po i nt effectually t o gu ard vill age

a nd hom e by t h e h el p o f t h e fl a ts At t h e vill age entr anc e
.

i s t h e pl ace d edicated t o t h e fl a ts o f t h e chi ef In fro n t .

o f e very hou se are n um e rou s alt ars representative o f

O ffe rin gs t o v ariou s s piri t s from abo ve and be low At .

t h e fro nt door are e mbl em s t o t h e s pirits cau s in g s k in

diseases and oth er bodily afflictio ns as the y wi s h t o be ,

s p are d s uch vi s it atio ns h e b ack co rn e r is t h e pl ace for

A t t .

t h e house hold ua ls t h e es pe ci al gu ardi an s o f t h e f amil y

, .

By th e sides and ofte n at t h e bac k o f t h e house are

n umerous crosses i n dic atin g t h e n umbe r o f cattl e s l ain .

Th eir s ku ll s are left o n t h e cross o r el se h un g as o rname nts

1m

fo r t h e flats ; it is fear Of t h e invis ibl e nuts and a dread

,

Of t h e con seq u enc es o f n e gl ec t in g them t h at is at t h e

,

o tt om of all t h eir ré li gious do i ngs

bW Pro itiatio n o the nais Th e aim and ur s e of
p f .
p po t he

ha
s become convinc e d th at t heir m
, is rt une is due t o
t h e agen cy o f t h e fl a ts t h e di vi nerl s c al l ed and t h e S p e c ial
, ,

”at m ques ti onis fo und Tl1e offe ring requ ired i s asc e rt ain
.

ed an d prep aratio n s are m ad e acco rdin gly If t h s acrifi ce

e
d e m and ed is no t obtain abl e o r is above th e m
.

e an s of
'

t h e pa rty for t h e tim e be i n g a pro mi se is m

,

, ade th at

t h e O ffé t ill g wil l be forthcom in g as e arly as possi bl e an d a ,

tok en to th at e ffect u s u ally a s m all p arcel con tai ni n g s om e

,

meat tied t o a bamboo hoop 1s pl aced in s ome appro pria te

‘
,

pl ac e Wh en t h e day o f t h e Offe ri n g h as arrived t h e

.
,

altar
”
is m a d e t h e sacrific e 1s brought fo rth t h e ke ttl es
, ,

are se t boilin g an d t he pri es t be gins h is lon g mo n oto n o u

“

, s

recital s th at oft en k ee p him bus y t h e whol e day

, R itu al
.

and formul a will vary as o ne o r t h e o th e r nat is addres se d ,

but t h e u s u al ord e r is as follo ws

( 1 ) Pr ai se t o t h e na t e xtolling his gre at n ess abili t y
, ,

t o he lp an d wil l in gness t o he ar : h e is told th at h e is abl e t o

create a hundred bless in gs and grant a hun dred gifts
t h at Danc ing o n t h e s word s edge h e is no t h urt walking
’
, ,
H k injaw n g or s a c rifi c xa l no t - p ri es t . P . 160
.
 THE K ACH IN REL IG IO N . 1 61

on a co tt on t h read h e does no t and more to th e

(2) by t h e no t making kn own his abo de his

Re ply , ,

demands and general i nteres t in t he c ase H e may te ll t h e .

pries t : I tak e perfect care o f golden yo uth I guard t he ,

and th at th os e wh o call o n him

”
go ld en m aidenh oo d , reac h

th e s ummit o f wealth and atta in t h e height o f ric hes ; t h at

h e is t h e sh ade d uring th e h o t weath er and t h e prot ect ing,

cave d uring t h e rainy seas on and so o n

”
, .

(3) St at e men t o f t h e c ase he lp d es ire d fo r whom o r

,

what ; t h e no t is implored t o he lp t h e s uffering and no ,

(4) T he no t as kin g p articul ars as t o o ffe ring altar , ,

pries t place and t ime is ass ured th at e veryt hing is t he

, ,

very best and t ha t ances tral c us to ms rul es and r egul atio ns

,

are rigidly o bserved

(5) Sacrifice pro mised t ime pl ace and o ther particul ars
, ,

stated .

Th e yi ng o f t h e sac rifice and dis tributi on of

sl a

th e differen t k ind s of meat ; it is h ere t hat t he hkinjawng

an d hpunglum are mo s tly in e vid en ce .

(7) E xhorting t h e no t t o acce pt t h e o fferi ng remo ve ,

t h e t ro uble and re turn t o t h e heave nly abode t h ere t o k eep ,

the life o f t h e sacrifice and d urin g th at t ime h old

h is p ro t ec ting h an d o ver t h e wo rs hi ppers :
Arise fro m t h e c eles tial table ,

Re move from t h e heavenly altar ,

Go b ack t o t he gloriou s h e ights ,

Re tu rn t o t h e c e l es ti al abod e .

Do n o t re ve rt from t h e pa th ,

Do n o t t urn asid e from t h e road .

Re m ain in t h e ce l est ial he igh ts ,

There keep t h e life a h undre d years .

H ere thy prote ctin g care e xtend ,

There for a cen tury guard t h e gift ,

H ere at t h e same time k eep us fro m ill s .

162 THE K C H msA .

To ppease
a o ended
fl na tsK achinis t h e su m to t al of

r e ligio n But t his tak es v ario us fo rm s accordin g t o diffe r

.

e n t circu ms t an ces If lightn i ng s trikes t h e no t o f thun d er

.
,

m us t h ave an offe rin g o r worse d an ge r is at h and If a .

house o r a vill age burns s acrifices mus t be m ad e and , ,

w at er s pri nkle d t o se nd o ff t h e incendi ary no t (M auk to) , ,

w h o is always abro ad If a man is drown ed killed by a ‘

.
,

f allin g tree a ti ger o r an e nemy o r if h e loses his

, ,
'

l ife in any kin d o f ac cident t h e no t o r ge nius cau s in g

'
,

s uch mi s fortu nes mu s t b e pl acat ed o r oth e rs will m ee t

t h e same f at e If a wom an di es in confin emen t t h e necess ary

.

c e re mo n i es W ill be atte nd e d to as oth e rwi se t h e wom an ,

be c omes a no t (se wn) Whose s pe ci al aim wi ll be to b rin g

'

'
,

othe rs into t h e s ame trouble In all s uch c ases t h e obj ect is .

t o p acify t h e no t th at th e re may be n o furth er mis chi e f

, .

Protec tion and immunity from d an ge r is cl o se ly re l ated

t o t hi s
'

But in this c ase it is pre vention rath er t h an

.

cure th at is s ought It is es pe ci ally from t h e Fates and

.

witch es t h at e vil is appre he nd ed If a man h as be en .

Succ es s f ul in a bu s i n ess ve n ture if h e h as pros pe red in ,

h is ge ne r al work if h e be comes t ru s te d an d res pe ct ed

, ,

peop le will s ure ly d is cu ss h is m e rits o r d em e rits and t h e

”
F ate o f j e alou s y will be arou se d Thu s s ome thi ng is .

alw ay s offe re d to t h e gen iu s o f as pe rs ion be fore and

afte r a j ourne y bu s in es s tr an s actio n hou se bu ildi n g w eddi n g
, , , ,

o r t h e like If a man kn ows h e h as e n e mies it is necess ary

.
,

t o gu ard ag ai n s t m agi c curses an d witch es In time o f

,
.

w ar sacrifices are offe re d t o as ce rt ain t h e wi ll o f t h e

nuts t o bl ess s pe ci al ch arm s
,
t o d e t e rmine lucky and ,

un lucky d ays and fo r ge neral s uccess T h e offe ri ngs and

,
.

ce re monies will v ary according to t h e n ature o f t h e case .

A fowl may be all th at is n ee d e d t o k ee p t h e F ates pl acabl e .

B ut t h e Fate o f imprecat ion appropri ately d em ands a

“ ”
,

portio n o f wild gi n ger with t h e other offe ri n g Th e dre aded .

Fate o f ac ciden ts is propiti ate d by h avi ng 3 cinn amo n .

tree ri ddl ed with bull e ts o r s tudded with long b amboo

s p ik es in dic atin g th at thu s th ey w is h t o d eal with all
,
 ran K CH I A N REL IG IO N . 1 63

un pleasant i ntruders and a do g woun d up in eleph ant grass

,

is hun g up in t h e next tree t o k ee p t h e s pirit fro m

c oming th at p art icul ar ro ad If it is t h e cruel t tung th at .

h old s a pe rso n pris o ner anythin g s o s m all as an e gg ,

mu s t no t be co ns ide red A dog a go at o r a s h ee p alo ne

.
,

will s atisfy him and t h e pre fe rence n owad ays is t h e

,

do g Th e h ead is cut o ff and t h e b o dy is buri ed

. To .

t h e no t c au s in g in s anity amon g t h e commo n pe opl e (t h e ,

m ddaz o r s h ddzp c au se i n s an ity amo ng t h e chi efs but

’ ’

t h e commo n p e opl e h ave n othin g t o do with th ese) s imil ar ,

o ffe ri n g s are m ad e Wh e n all oth er s acrifices h ave prove d

.

o f n o av ail a g o at o r a you n g buff alo is s e l e cte d

, and ,

aft e r approp ri at e ce re mo n i es a p art o f t h e clothi n g o f

t h e affl ict ed p arty is ti e d t o t h e horn s and t h e an im al is

s e nt o f f i nto t h e d ense ju n gl e o r lone ly mou nt ai ns If .

t h e anim al do es n o t re turn it is t ak e n as a s ig n th at t h e
,

n o t h as d e p arte d an d will give n o furth e r troubl e If it .

d oes re turn it is allowe d t o ro am about anywh ere ; no

,

o ne l ay s cl aim t o it an d n o o n e wo ul d kill or eat t h e

,

fl es h as it is dedic ated and be lo ngs to t h e no t o f in s anity .

T h e d es ir e fo r rich es a nd prosperity is un ive rs al and ,

t h e god s o r s pirits h ave alw ays bee n r eg ard ed as t h e

di s p ense rs o f we alth an d affl u e n ce A rich h arve s t a .
,

W e ll fill e d b arn n um erou s pig s and fowl s s kill and s ucces s

, ,

in l abor a l arge f amily and a lon g life compri se t h e d e s ires

,

o f t h e ave rag e K achi n Gold and s ilve r for t h e s ake o f

.

ho ardin g is far above t h e wild es t dre am s o f t h e ordin ary

man O nly t h e chiefs an d s om e o f t h e more e n te rpri s i n g
.

amo ng t h e eld e rs accumul ate s ilve r (mo ney) which ,

t h e y g e ne rally hid e in s om e se cre t pl ac e n e ar t h e hou se

o r in t h e j un gl e S ome be lie ve th at mo ne y n o t use d in
.

this life will be u sef ul in t h e n e xt and thu s never m ake ,

k n own t h e hidin g pl ac e T h e followi ng e xtr act t aken from

.

t h e formul a u s u ally e mployed wh e n rich es and pro s pe rity

are s olici ted will give a g o od id ea o f wh at is t h e b urd en
,

o f t h e pra ye r (Th e origin al will be foun d in t h e Intro

.

d ucti o n t o t h e K achin Dictio n ary page xxiii ) , .

1 64 ms m ums .

T o wo men fulles t wi s d o m sen d ,

And me n o f kno wledge amp l e s tore ,

Gr ant red ri ce wh ite rice grain o f every kind

, , .

N o w with bo vine rich es is fill ed t h e ho use fro nt st able -

,

Crowded is t h e s p acious b arn fill ed t h e granary , .

An increase o f a hu ndre d catt le ,

Mul tipli ed a h undred he ad o f co ws .

Kee p t h e o ld c o w with curve d horn ,

Gu ard t h e o ld bull wi t h dew lap nec k -

.

Co min g are a hundre d s pec k le d cattl e ,

Wit h bes t fowl s breedi ng hogs

and ,

Cro wded are t h e s p ac ious b as ke ts ,

S warmin g un der t h e great hous e floo r .

Yes h undred fo wl s five s c o re o f pi gs

, , .

White ri ce red rice grain abo undin g

, , ,

Filled is t h e paddy bin p ack ed t h e granary

-
, .

When eating o ld ri ce t h e new is added ,

Wh ile using o ld yam t h e new is growing .

And men t h e knowledge o f to wn and mart

To advo c at e t he pries t and s t o ry te ll er
,
-
,

To s oldier bl ack s mith t h e trader se ller

, , , ,

I grant go ld and ri c h es abo undin g wealth

, ,

Abundant t reas ure lo ng life and heal t h

, .

O n weal t h s hi gh s ummit t h ey no w will st and

’

S owing and harves t fes tivals . T h e fes t iv a s l and

co nnec t ed with wing and h arves t are especially il lustra

so

t ive o f t h e care tak en t o sec ure t he goo d will o f t h e

g ua rdi ans o f hom e an d v ill a g e Wh en t h.e j un gl e cl ea rin g
for t h e y ear be gins a s m all o ffe rin g may o r may n o t be
,

g iven .B ut j us t be for e t h e t im e o f s o win g a grea t f es tiv al ,

headed by t h e chi ef as represen tative o f t h e whol e co mm a

nit y is h eld at t h e vill age en tran ce ( mashang wh en th e
, ,
 THE m c nm REL IG IO N . 1 65

bless ing of t h e earth priest ( ga no t s h adip) is so ugh t

-
, , .

O nly eggs dried fi sh and w h i s ky are o ffere d in co nne ctio n

,

with t h e fes tival fo r t he day ; but to wards e vening in

t h e presence o f o nly t h e l eadin g pri es ts and t h e c hi ef a ,

fo wl o r s om e dri ed fi sh is buri ed in t h e en clo s ure for

t h e e arth no t
-
In s ome l o caliti es a c o w o r a pig is
given and buri ed if by di vin ation it is as ce rt ain e d th at s u ch
offerin gs are re q uire d an d t h e presen c e o f t h e chi ef is
, .

not necess ary Th e pries t h avi n g fin i s h e d t h e c ere mo n y

.
,

does n o t turn aroun d but re ve re n tly goe s b ackw ard wh en

,

h e l eaves . A four d ays holid ay (na na) follows duri ng ,

w hi ch tim e no work is do ne At t h e close o f t h e four d ays

.

t h e divine r d e te rmines wh at p articul ar house hold will

h ave t h e privil e ge t o be gin t h e s owin g Th e chosen famil y
.

make s a s tart and t wo more holid ays follow During .

When t h e grain is about h alf grown there is othe r fes ti ve an

period o f four d ays (mdyn no ) but l ess s acred th an t h e first

, .

There is an othe r commu nal sacrifice h eaded by t h e chi e f ,

a nd o ffe rin gs are prese n te d accordin g t o t h e wi s h es o f

t h e na ts as m ad e kn own by divi n atio n Th e lo ng pol e.

,

h un g wi t h chicken b as ke ts (n yawm) alway s seen at t h e

be ginnin g o f t h e dry s eas on at t h e vill age en tr an ce d ates ,

from this s acrifice Wh en t h e grai n is ripe n in g t h e firs t

.

fruit is gathe red and e aten by t h e family th at mad e

“
t h e firs t s owin g .Then ne w rice t h e feas t o f t h e ne w
,

rice (n lung una n pm) c an b e pre p ared and e aten by all A

, .

p art o f t h e c ere mo ny is th at un ripe rice (nts z t) is ro as ted

'

( th en calle d mnyz) and e aten by t h e f amily an d fri end s .

Thi s is a time o f general rejoici n g and famili es come

t oge the r in re un io n Du rin g t h e ti m e o f h arves t and
.

t hres hi n g a ki n d of th anks givin g is obs erve d Th e .

s p irit o f t h e r i ce
“ ”
is i n voked and urged t o r em ain in
t h e gran ary th at t he re may be n o los s an d that road
, ,

for t h e following year may be abu n d an t With t he carrying

.

h o me of t h e grain t h e las t ceremony (nhpang ba at par)

o f t h e year t ak es p lace A woman picks a few c ars fro m
.
1 66 ms A
K C HINS .

a p atch t hat h as been left s tandin g fo r t h e occasion pu t s ,

them in h er bas ket and be gin s h er home ward w alk actin g as

t hough s h e was carrying a very h e avy lo ad Th is t o s how
.

t h at e ven s m all f avors are appreci at ed I n co nnec tio n

.

with all t h ese times and seas ons t h e s pirits are always
re membered and appropri ate o ffe rings are made .

It will be see n t h at nearly all t h e re gular holid ay seaso ns

are co nne cted with t h e l abor o f t h e fie ld s When an .

acc id e n t h as h appe n e d t o an i n di vidu al or a c ommuni ty ;

if a pe rs o n h as bee n k ill ed by a tiger by lightning o r

, ,

dro wned ; if a hou se h as burned o r an e pide mic h as broken

o ut a hol id ay o f o ne day o n ly (na ta t) is d ecl are d ; all
,

o th e r se as o ns o f res t compri se t wo o r four d ays an u ne ven ,

n umber be ing u n lucky . Thes e d ays and se as ons are as

follows
( 1) T wo d ays afte r t h e h ighl and p addy hut yz wa)
’

h as been b uilt by t h e whol e commu nity fo r t h e chief ;

u s u ally t h e l as t p art o f March o r e arly in April Th i s .

holid ay is n o t obse rved in s ome locali t i es .

(2) T wo d ays whe n se tting fire t o t h e ju ngl e c l e aring .

There is a gre at d eal of libe rty allowed in re gard t o t his

o bse rv an ce
.

(3) Four d ays ju s t be fore s owi ng Thi s is t h e mos t

. .

so l e m occas io n o f t h e year and t h e great sacrifi c e o f t h e

chi ef (na t s a t) t akes pl ace.

(4) T wo d ays after t h e firs t f amily h as s tart ed t he

so wi n g
.

(5) Four d ays wh en t h e gr ain is gro wing (mayu na) .

(6) T wo d ays afte r t h e rice fi eld belo ngi ng t o t h e chi ef

h as bee n reape d by co mmun al l abor : t his is h o we ver , ,

observed o nly in c ertain localities Anythin g c orres ponding

.

t o a S abb at h o r d ay s for es pe ci al re ligiou s o bs ervance

,

connected with t h e changes o f t h e moo n are unknown , .

I n a fe w pl aces in t h e N ort h e rn S h an S t ates t h e b az aar

day ( comi n g e very fifth day) is h eld as s om ewh at s acred ,

and p addy is n o t po u n d e d in t h e mo rning o f th at day ;

but thi s is exceptional and is cau sed by a traditio n th at

 THE I ns ea m RE L IGIO N . 1 67

it is u nlu cky t o do th is k in d of work on the mo rning of

t h at day .

T he nuts By far t h e greates t number of

and diseas e .

sacrifices are o ffe re d t o se c ure h e lp in tim e o f ill ness .

Almos t everythin g affli cting a K achin is attributed t o t h e

mal e vol e nce irits Disease in spite o f a h ealthy
of the sp .
,

c lim ate an d a gr eat d e al o f outdoor life is ve ry commo n , ,

o win g t o t h e compl e te ign oran ce o f h yge nic an d s an it ary

l aws Th e be lief th at t h e nuts alo n e c an help h as d eve lope d

.

a ce rtain m e as ure o f fat ali s m in r e g ard t o h e alth an d bodily

comfort The y often see m en tire ly i ndiffe re n t t o p ai n

.
,

but in re ality they s t an d a great d eal l ess th an th e ir civilize d

brothers It is almos t impo ss ibl e t o i n duce the m t o h ave a
.

to oth pull ed h owe ve r much it may ach e ; the y will rathe r

,

s uffe r th an s ubmit t o a s light ope r atio n A s a rul e th e y .

ne ve r see k me dic al aid u n til t h e c ase is t o o far go ne and

h as be com e practic ally hope l ess H e e xpe cts t o t h e l as t .

a tu rn fo r t h e be tt e r o r e l se h e s imply loo k s upo n it as

,

his f ate which it is use l es s t o try t o ch an ge In c ase o f .

a c old four t o e ight d ays are allowe d in which t o t ak e c are

,

o f its e lf If ins te ad o f improvin g t h e p ati en t grows worse

. .
,

it is t aken fo r gr an ted th at t h e s pirits are at work and this ,

is s oo n ve rified by divinatio n In curable o r chron ic dise ases

.

are afte r s om e time give n up and t h e pri es t d ecl ares ,

th at thi s is a case o f arm ( a m al ady) and th at t h e nats

, ,

h ave n othin g t o do with it Goitre for ex ampl e which .

, ,

is common all ove r t h e hill s is n o t attributed t o t h e ,

ne ts , but t o s alt i n troduced by t h e k al as (fore ign ers ) .

So me k in d s o f bo il s s we llin gs an d s ores are cause d by

,

witch es I n e ve ry c ase o f ordi n ary troubl e t h e s pirits

.

are co ns ulted and t h e s acrifices and all t h e k i n d s o f offe rin gs

ment ion ed amoun t t o quite a s um throughout t h e y ear ,

ev en fo r a po or family The y will often go he avily in d e bt

.

t o sati s fy t h e gr ee d o f th e ir in vi s ibl e torm entors Th e . . -

Kachin s often put it th at they are s l aves t o t h e nats and ,

h is s l avery is both burd en so me and ex actin g .

Ideas of a S upreme Being Whil e thus th e everyday .

 168 r ue K C A HINS .

i
r elig io n o f t h e Kac h in s is s pirit wors hip
wh ch o ri ginat ed in ,

”
fear o f t h e anc es tr al s h ades the y h ave apparen tly al ways ,

h ad an id ea o f a s upre me p o wer A great s pirit K drai .

,
'

d a ng is above all t h e na ts and h e alone 13 t h e original

, ,

Cre ator h e is t h e S uprem e O ne Seve ral n ames are

'

.
,

given t o h im among t h em t h e O mnisci en t O ne This

‘ '

, .

b irt h . There m ay be h ere . so me f aint ech o Of an In di an

ry tak en and res h aped fro m Buddhis m T h e S u pre me

'

st o .

h avi ng al mos t a magi cal m eaning with m any , and th e

t h e sam e .true t hat a K ach in is ho pel ess ly los t when

h is
att e mptin g t o e xpl ai n h o w t his o ne b e i n g could be born ,

an d s till be above everythin g th at w as born and at t h e ,

sam e tim e cl aim th at h e n e ve r h ad a moth e r B ut we

'

s imil ar diffi culties in co nnectio n with the ir p arti cul ar forms

of th e o logy . A ll a K achi n reall y cl aim s t o kn ow is th at
'

t he re is s omeo ne high er and great er th an t h e nu ts Furt her

' ’

t han t hi s we c an kn ow n o t hing about him N o altars

'

ar e rais ed in his h o n or n o s ac rifices are e ver made t o

’

p rop itiate him n o o n e can kn ow his abod e o f divi ne his

'

presen t , and ver arth riti ed o f t h e na ts

t his is ne .

Th e k no wl e dge o f a s upreme po we r e xert s no p artic ul ar

far above man t o t ak e any i nt e res t in t h e e veryd ay a ffai rs

’ '

of m ort als . On ly in e xtre m e cases will h e pun is h a

see ms to kn ow . But wh en gre at calamity h as be f allen

a

an individdal or a communi ty, when war pes tilence o r ,

 THE K C A H IN REL IG IO N . 169

famin e is ragi ng and t h e nats do n o t s eem pro pitiou s o r

abl e t o h el p pe opl e will c all in th eir di s tress t o t h e Lo rd o f
,

all. B ut when t h e t ro uble h as p ass ed there is no further

t hought of him and n o form of wors hip exi s ts by wh i ch
,

h om age or gr atitude is s ho wn .

In th ese t houghts form s and ce re monies we see t h e

,

rel ati ons hip with t h e b ackw ard and illiterate races in all
l an ds and ages S pirit wors h ip as e volved fro m fear and
.

re ve rence fo r t h e d e p art e d is t h e re ligio n n e ares t at h and

t o t h e savage It is edu catio n and enlightenment th at

.

in tro duce high e r fo rm s o f re ligiou s id eas .

We h ave left t h e religiou s ce re moni es obse rved at birth ,

marri age and d e ath t o be cons id ere d in t h e followi n g

c h apte rs . T h e K achi ns m ak e ve ry littl e o f t h e oth er
world and I am gre atly s urpri sed t o re ad in Mr
, .

H odso n s e xce ll e n t ac coun t o f t h e N ag a Tribes of

’

Manip ur , t h at amo ng th e m t h e be li ef in a h eaven

se e m s t o be qui te promin e nt Th e N ag as C hins and
.
,

K achins are in m os t o ther p articul ars very nearly al ik e ,

and th e ir religiou s ide as are almo s t id entic al I mu s t

.

confess th at I h ave my doubts as t o t h e correctness o f

t h e i n t e rpre t atio n o f t h e f aith o f t h e N ag as in thi s p articul ar .

Equ ally s urpri s i ng is it to find th at Th e re is a sel ection

“
, ,

accordi n g t o t h e lif e liv ed in thi s world wh er e t h e , goo d

s o c all e d go t o o n e pl ac e and t h e b ad t o an oth e r Thi s .

i ndicates a d e ve lopmen t in religiou s ideas far b eyond t h e

conception o i t h e K achins and far be yon d illiterate tribes
'
,

in ge n eral . It may o f course b e th at t h e N agas h ave bee n

influ en ce d by H in duis m more than t h e K achins ever
h ave been by B uddh i s m .
 CHAPTER XIV .

NATAL C ERE MO NI E S .

Th e Kachins h ail with d elight eve ry new addition t o

t he family A l arge n umbe r o f children is an honor as
. ,

we ll as a s ure s ign o f favor from t h e po we rs above .

Bes ides and probably t h e mos t important o f all it is a

, ,

c omfort able ass uran ce o f liberal s upport in o ld age Every .

ne w arriv al is look e d upo n as an additio n al bread wi n ner -

in time t o com e T h e thought o f h o w t o s upport a

.

l arge family ne ver troubl es t h e man o f t h e house H e .

l oo ks t o t h e c hildren t o s upport him as so on as the y

.

can work ; his res po n s ibility e nd s wh e n th e y are l arg e

en ough t o t en d t h e cattl e or pull w ee d s in t h e p addy field -

.

Childbirth like e verythi ng else is h e dged about with

, ,

a gr eat n umbe r o f cus tom s rul es an d ce re mo n i e s

, Duri ng .

pregn an cy a wom an mus t no t e at ho ney o r po rcupine fl es h ,

as these thin gs will c au se mi sc arri age Yet there is .

very littl e let up in t h e work s h e h as t o do and thi s ,

with othe r c au ses alre ady me n tioned is t h e reas on wh y

mi sc arri ages are rath e r common and a l arge n umbe r o f
,

ve ry we ak childre n are born th at die in the ir e arly y e ars .

Famili es without children are very n umerous .

Wh en a child is about t o be bo rn t h e m arried women

,

o f t h e n e ighbourhood are call ed t o ass i s t in s uch m atte rs as

may be ne ces s ary Midwives o r m edical ass i s t an ce is

,

un kn own and in di f
, fi cult cases t h e moth er gene rally s uc
c umb s . As s oo n as t h e se x o f t h e b abe is k n own o ne
o f t h e atte n d an t wom e n pro n ou n ce s it s n am e This is .

do ne in orde r t o pre ve n t ill di spo se d na ts from n ami ng t h e

child firs t as in s uch a case it will s icken and die
, .

C utting the navel Afte r n aming t h e child comes t h e

.

nave l cutting ceremo ny

-
A s h arp s plint o f bamboo is
.

cut from a pos t in th e wall and is use d as a k nife As .

1 72 THE n en ms .

an odd n u mber is
lucky t wo o r fo ur s uch s pl in ts are
un ,

cut but o nly o ne is used The knife be ing ready t h e

, .

k nee o f th e b abe is brought up t o t h e abdom en and t h e

n av e l is c ut t h e l en gth o f t h e k nee T h e n avel and t h e .

p l acent a are u s u ally buri e d by t h e middl e po s t at t h e s id e o f

t h e s te ps at t h e fro n t d oo r It is in cased in thirty p air
.
fi r e"

of b amboo s plits woun d and tied by tw ent y p air o f s plits

( pali) used for tyin g p urpo ses A fe n ce o f thorns 18 m ade .

aroun d t h e pl ace s o as t o k ee p anim al s aw ay and t wo ,

s pears are put up re m ai n in g four d ays in t h e c ase of a

,

mal e and three in t h e c ase o f a fe m al e

, .

N atal feas ts If everythi ng is s u ccess ful a s mall meal

.

(chy ayen) is e aten by t h e o ld pe opl e Dri ed m eat dri ed

’

.
,

fish and gi nge r are t h e o nl y d is h es at thi s time Children .

mu s t n o t p artak e o f thi s m eal as they if the y do so , , ,

will grow up with a j ealous dis po s ition Afte r this there is .

t h e re gul ar feas t ( jah taw) o f which all are allowed t o

p artak e H ere t oo t h e pri ncipal di s h es are ri c e drie d meat
.
,

and gin g e r I n eati n g and o f c o urse drin k i ng to t h e

.
, ,

h ealth and long life o f t h e ch ild t h e following bl ess i ng is ,

prono unced by a pries t o r s ome e lderly pe rs on :

Th i s morni ng s n at al fo od is pl eas an t and p al at abl e ;

’

May yo u live till your h air is gray ,

May yo u li ve till your teet h h ave f all en o ff ,

Till yo u c an do n othi ng but sit and frigh ten t h e h awks ,

Till t h e du s t o f t h e fron t s table covers yo ur bo dy .

Friends and re a l tives no w c o ngratul ate t h e h appy p arents

p rese nt t h e sa me k in d of s pear and s word as are given at

a
‘

weddi ng .

Presenting the child to the ne ts and to the sun . Th e

moth er and child m us t remain in th e house un til th e fourt h
day in th e case o f a male , an d unt il t h e t hird if it i s a
femal e As it is al ways unlu k y t o end up anything o n an
. c
odd day , t h e fo urt h day in th e ase o f a gir , is her we d ding c l
 NATAL cm sro ms s . 1 73

c
day, wh en she h as a se o nd birt h , be omes a wo man c ”

and remai n s in t h e h o use o f h er h us band O n t h e fourt h .

or t h e t hird day t h e vi ll age pri es ts , ne ighbo urs and fri ends

cere mony of presen ting t h e ne w bo rn c h ild t o

gat h er fo r t h e
t he family na ts A pries t pl aces so me dri ed fis h and me at a
. ,

dri ed mo le o r rat so me li quo r and mal t ed rice befo re

, .

t h e house h ol d na ts as king t h e ir f avo r and pro t ectio n in

,

be ha lf member o f t h e family H aving presented

o f t h e ne w .

t h e child t o t h e s upe rnatural guardi ans an o ld man o r ,

wo man t ak es t h e new arrival for t h e pres en tati o n t o t h e

sun . S tartin g fro m t h e p l ace o p pos ite t h e f amil y al t ar ,

t h e c hild is carried p as t t h e c hief fire pl ace and the n

t ak en b ack ag ain while t h e wo rd s :
, Go o ut and se e t h e s un ,

”
s ome and be h o ld t h e s un are re peate d bo th in go in g and
,

re turnin g H aving m ad e t his t urn in s ide t h e h ous e t h e

. ,

child is no w c arried t o t h e t hres hhold of t h e front do o r and ,

bac k agai n t o t h e back d oo r t h e s ame wo rds be ing p ro

,

no unc ed in eac h c ase T h e child can no w be carried

.

o utd oo rs by anyo ne .

The p rificat ion of the mo ther O n t h e day wh en t he

n .

c il d is present ed t o t h e family nats t h e mo th er perfo rms

h
h er purifi cat io n and again t akes h er pl ace in t h e community .

Th e hus b and o r so me de l e gated m al e me mbe r o f t he f amily

, ,

t ak es a s pear and t h e woman her so ile d g arments and

, ,

bo t h proc ee d t o t h e vill age sp ri n g where t h e wo man in ,

sil en ce was hes hers elf and t h e c l o t hing Re t urning t h e . ,

wo man goes firs t and t h e man foll o ws This is do ne t o .

k eep o fi any unfrie ndly h at s t h at may be c on templ ating

mis chief t o t h e mother and c h ild .

D eath in co nfinemen t ( ndang k dpaw) , De ath in co nfine .

m en t is one o f t h e greates t and mos t dreaded c al amities

t h at can be fall a family and t h e greates t cu r se t h at c an
,

be pro n oun ce d u po n a wom an is th at s h e will m ee t s uc h

an e n d . When part uritio n is attend ed with s pe cial difficul
t ies and by divi natio n it is asc ertain ed th at an evil s p irit
, ,

called sown o r ndang is trying t o prevent t h e birt h o f

,

t h e ch ild th e wil des t and mos t d is tres s ing exc itemen t t ak es

,
1 74 Th e m onms .

pl ace Cro wd s g ath e r aroun d t h e house ; e very ro ad and

.

p at h is block ade d ; guns are fired arro ws and mud pe ll e ts ,

-

are s hot in e very d ire ctio n arou n d and un d e r t h e hou se ;

s wo rd s an d torch es are br andi s h e d ove r t h e wom an ; s om e

o ne in po ssess io n o f a ch arm es pe ci ally a thu n d er bolt ,

-
,

pl aces it o n t h e b ack o f h er h ead ; all kinds o f imposs ibl e

means are tried t o ass is t h er ; red pe pper b ark o f several -
,

k in d s o ld r ags o r in fact anythi ng th at will produce a

, ,

pun gen t n ois om e s m ell is burned t o drive away t h e dreade d

, ,

in trud er and to preve n t h e r ( t h e na t) from c arryi ng away

,

t h e wom an and child But th ese t hi ngs generally prove o f

.

n o av ail an d t h e u nfortu n ate wom an di es for w an t o f mor e

practical as s is tance S h e h as n o w h e rs elf be com e a s awn

.
,

and as s h e will lo n g for comp an y s h e will try t o bri n g o t h e r

women i nto t h e s ame difficulty Co nse qu en tly s h e is at .

o n ce cre m ate d If t h e child die d with t h e mother they

.

a re burn e d tog e th e r If t h e child is livin g it is pl aced

.

by th e s ide o f t h e moth e r If it cri es when with t h e corps e .

,

an d qui e ts down wh e n t ak e n aw ay it is a s ign th at it ,

do es n o t wi s h to go with t h e moth er If howeve r it

”
.
, ,

cri es when away from t h e d e ad body and re m ai n s quie t

Wh en with t h e corp se it is i nte rpre ted to m e an th at t h e
,

c hild will n o t be se p ar at e d from t h e moth e r and it is ,

t hu s burn e d o n t h e s am e fu n e ral pyre Ap art from t his .

,

i nfan ticid e is u n kn own amo ng t h e hill tribes .

N ames T h e n am es o f t h e firs t se ve n m al es in e ve ry
.

K achin f amily are those borne by t h e se ven primitive

n uts , an d t h e se ve n ruli n g s o n s o f t h e gr eat an c es tor

Wah kyet wa They always come in t h e s am e orde r and

.
,

i n dicate th at t h e ch ild is t h e firs t se co nd third e t c among , , , .

,

t h e m al es Thes e n am es in th e ir ord er are as follows :

.

Gam N aw L a Tu Tang Yaw and H ka

, , , , D urin g childhood, .

a b o y is as a rul e c all e d M a Gam M a N aw Ma L a e t c Ma , , , .

,

be in g t h e wo rd for child Wh en grown h e be comes N Gam .

-
,

N N aw N La and so o n an d if o f s ome es pe ci al import an ce

-
,
-
,

h e is addr es s e d as L a N Gam L a N N a w L a N L a e t c -
,
-
,
-
,
.
,

t h e word La e mph as iz in g t h e f act t hat h e is a man The .

 NATAL CE EMO R NIES . 1 75

mal e members of a ch ief s family carry th e t itle Zau ( fan)

’ ‘
,

a te rm bo rro wed from t h e S h an meaning Lo rd Thus , .

we h ave Za u Gam Zan N aw Zau La Zau Tu et c , , ,

u
, .
,

( Co mp are Appen dix II ) .

As it would be imposs ible t o di s tin gui s h be tween all .

t h e M a Gam s M a N o w s e t c in th e s am e vill age a bo y is

’ ’
, , .
, ,

e ith e r provi de d with a nick n am e ( mying wh ich is

‘

-
.

u s u ally a t e rm o f en d e arm en t o r i n dic ative o f his pl ace and ~

posi ti on; o r e l se t h e f amily nam e is given be fore his re al ‘

n am e Thu s a M a Gam may be called M a S hawng t o

’

in dicate th at h e is t h e firs t bo rn L abya Gam s howin g

.
‘

, ,

th at h e com es from t h e L abya family or Zau Gam i n di

’

, ,

c at in g th at h e is t h e firs t s o n o f a chi ef A Ma N aw may in .

t h e sam e w ay be c all ed M a Grawng o r N aw Grawng t h e ,

”
additio n N hkum N e w o r Zau N aw A s t h e f amily '
.
,

n am es are ve ry n um e rou s t h e di f fi cul ty o f dis ti nguis hi ng

,

be twee n t h e limited n umbe r o f pe rs on al n ames is no t as .

great as it would at firs t appe ar O nly a fe w o f these .

n ick n am es n ee d to be give n
~
They are in reality e n dl ess '

and vary in differe n t loc aliti es

A Zau Gam may be called : Zau Ri S en gli Hhu n S ong , , ,

A M a Gam may be c all ed : Ma S hawng Ma Brang ,

°

S ha wng Brang K am H toi S hawng wa e t c

, , , .

AM a N aw may be Call ed : Baw N aw , Grawng N aw,

N ing Grawng e t c , .

A Ma La may be c all ed : La N an L a D oi e t c
, , , .

A M a Tu may be c alle d : L a m Ta L a m e t c
‘

.
.
, , ,

A M a Tang may be c alled : Gun M a Gun et c

,
'

, , .

A M a Yaw may be called : H tung Yaw H tung

, , , et c .

A M a Hka may be c all e d : Tawm H ka Tawm e tc

'

.
, , ,

Fe m al e n am es follow t h e s ame c ate gory T h e fi rs t .

se ve n girl s in a family are c all e d in t h e ord e r as th e y

are born K aw L u R oi H tu K a i H ka and Pri

, , , T h e word
, , , .

Ma is u su ally prefixe d and thus we h ave Ma K aw Ma ,

L u M a Roi e t c
,
'

T h e d aughte rs o f a chi ef c arry t h e

, .

t itl e N ang al s o a Sh an t e rm
, N ames o f e nde arme n t o r .
1 76 sf ,
rns x ac n ms nu

dist inguish in g terms , as iii t h e case of t he b oys, are a so l

"

gi ven t o t he girl s , b ut t h ey are ll

' ' '

i as a rule no t ca ed b y

th e family name So me o f t h e mes for

‘
. na girls are t he
r :
" w "

'

A Ma H tu beoo mes Ma Lu m ’
, t L a m, et c .

A M a Pri bec o mes Pri Lum Ma Ti,

'

, et c .

Xc H tang,

Th e inven tive s ki ll in no me nc lat ure h aving failed a

th e firs t e igh t
'

o f eaé h
’

ki n d , t he n ames fo r boy s a nd

regar d to cus toms and us ages i onn ec hildbirth ct ed wi t h c ,

to any o t h er part ic ular of t h e family or

' '

t h an in regard
‘

communal life E ach group o f fain ilies is sure t o have

'

.
.

c io n regard to wo men wh o h ave d ie d ch ildbirt h

'

oc as In at
“

.
 l ars
A t in fron t of h ou se .

C rema ion
t . P . 176
.
 NATAL R
CE E MO NIES . 1 77

different tio ns o f th e country In t h e G auri hills fo r

sec .
,

ins tan ce and al so in ce rtain oth er loc alities t h e be lief is

, ,
”
that t h e spirits (s o wn o r ndang num n i t h e women ,

wh o cau se t h e o bs tructi on) wh o are res pons ibl e for thi s s ad

,

misfortun e are n o t afraid o f guns an d thus n o guns

, ,

are fire d . The y fe ar on ly bo ws fo r s hooting mud pe llets

as with tho se it is po ss ibl e t o hit th e ir e yes .

In additi o n t o t h e m ean s ju s t m e nti o ned t h e re are in ,

so m e l o caliti es a di s gu s tin g di s pl ay o f t h e m al e priv ate

p art s fo r t h e sake o f drivin g aw ay i a kan ai t hese troubl e

,

so m e an d in vi s ibl e fe m al es .

Al s o in t h e ce re moni es of cutting t h e n ave l there is

s om e dive rs ity .S ome moth e rs giv e t h e littl e o ne s ome
che we d rice almos t imme di ately after it is born but it
'
,

does no t see m t o be a gener al cu s tom In t h e main t h e .

cu st oms outlined are tho se th at h ave t h e preference .

th i r st"
 CHAPT ER XV .

MA RRIAGE C ERE MO NI ES .

Co urts hip as kn own in civi li zed l an d s is unknown amo ng

t h e K achi ns A love m atc is next t o imposs ibl e because
“ ” -
.
,

o f t h e family cu s tom s which co n s id e r m arri ag e a q ues ti o n

o f e co n omy t o be co n s id e re d and se ttl ed lik e any oth e r

,

b arg ain Young p e opl e living in t h e s ame community may

. , ,

and do tak e a likin g t o each oth e r although it is c e rtain ,

t h e y ne ve r fall in love as we u nde rs tand t h e e xpress ion ,

and o n accou n t o f t h e gr e at fr ee dom gr an te d be fore mar

riage it often res ults in promi s cuou s i nt e rcourse and t h e

, ,
”
1 be comes t h e mothe r o f a b as tard (n gyi k dnu) ,
-
.

ut it is se ldom m arri ag e follows s uch r e l atio n s Th ere .

is always a c e rtain amoun t o f dis gr ace att ach ed t o m arrying

”
a b as t ard mother and bes id es it may no t be agree able t o
-
,

t h e p are n ts o f e ith er p arty T h e youn g man and his f amily

.

p r efe r t o se ttl e m att e rs by t h e p ayin g o f a fin e t o t h e

d amse l s p are nts (Se e Ch ap VI) and t h en both are free

’
, .
,

t o fin d comp anio ns in t h e re gul ar w ay as recogn iz ed by

c u s tom

Th e K achins are thoroughly ori e n tal in th e ir m arri age

rel ations Th e p aren ts o f t h e con tractin g p arti es se ttle
.

all t h e d e tail s and t h e youn g pe opl e h ave n o t hin g to

s ay a bout it A p articul arly s trong minded girl if s h e fin ds
.
-
,

t h e man se l ecte d for h er es pe ci ally obj e ctio n abl e may ,

d e fy t h e p arental wi s hes but s uch c as es are r are They

, .

are be comin g more and mor e commo n un der mod e rn

co nditions fo r reas ons we will mention l ater o n Th e girl is
, .

”
regarde d as t h e s al abl e prope rt y o f h er p aren ts and ,

”
be i ng bought wi t h a price be comes t h e inse perable,

prope rty o f h er hu s b an d s family A Kachin man ne ve r’

.

“
says I h ave t ak en a wife ; his family always put it ,

We h ave m arri ed a woman m ean in g t hat th ey h ave

,
1 80 THE KACH INS .

p aid t h e price for h er and s h e belo ngs t o t h em If h er .

hu s b and dies s h e goes by right t o t h e next youn ger brot her

, ,

o r e l se be com es t h e servan t o f t h e hou se hold u nl ess it is ,

agree d t o give h er t o s om e near re l ati ve Polyg amy is .

pe rmitted but n o t at all common It co s ts t oo much t o

, .

procure a ne w wife and very fe w c an afford t o p ay fo r more

,

th an o ne Mo s t men wh o h ave more th an o ne Wife h ave

.
‘

com e in to p ossess ion by pickin g up widows (gaida h ta)

l eft by brothe rs o r n e ar rel atives .

C ons anguin ity Marri age is allowed o nly be twee n ce rtain

.

recogn ize d famili es ; but t h e o ld rul es are more and more

di sre g ard ed an d greater lib erties are allowed A ccordin g t o .

s trict an c es tr al cu s tom pe r s o n s h avi n g t h e s am e f amily

n am e c an n e ve r i n t e rm arry A t pai chief fo r e xample

.
, ,

c ould neve r m arry t h e d aughte r o f an other L ahpai chi ef ,

e ve n though th e re we re n o blood re l atio n be twe e n th e m

from o ur poi n t o f vi e w A L abya man c an ne ver tak e a

’

.
.

L abya women ; t o do s o would be i n ces t ( jaiwawng ) ,

as th e y h ave t h e s am e s urn am e This rul e did no t inc o nven

.

ienc e commone rs p articul arly as th er e are an y amoun t ,

o f f amili es t o ch o ose from but it did work h ard s hip within

,

t h e f amili es o f t h e chi efs as th e ir wife procurin g s ph e re

,

w as limited t o t h e five ruli n g famili es Th ese bon d s h ave .

bee n brok en through and i nt erm arri age is n o w practice d

be t wee n t h e recogn iz e d divi s io ns o f t h e s ame family Thus .

a Gauri L ahpai c an m arry a wom an o f t h e H punggan

t p a.i A n N h ku m from o n e br an ch o f t h e f amily m ay

m arry i nto an oth er branch o f t h e s am e n ame provid e d it is ,

certai n that th ere is no actu al blood rel ation be twee n them .

Th e f amili es o f Chi eft ai ns t ake gr e ate r libe rti es alo n g th ese

lines th an commo ners Amo n g t h e l atte r t h e ances tral
.

practice is s till followed r ath e r clo se ly A chi ef c an m arry a .

commone r but it se ldom h appe ns H e mu s t as a rul e

, .

fin d t h e d aughte r o f a chi ef A commo ner cannot m arry

.

t he d aught e r o f a chi ef —
but n owad ays it does h appen
,

whe re education an d mod ern co nditions m ake t h e o ld

l an dm ark s imposs ible All rel atio ns hi p is reckoned from
.
 MARR IAGE C EREMO NIES . 18 1

the m al e s id e ; t h e wom an s identity is lo s t t h e mOment ’

s h e un it es with h er hu s b an d an d h is f amil y A s a rul e bo t h .

a chie f an d a commo n e r aim t o m arry a firs t cou s in t h e ,

d aughter o f t h e moth er s broth e r Th ere is from a K achin

’
.

poin t o f vi e w n o rel ations hip be twee n th es e children T h e .

mothe r h as come from a family with a di ffe ren t n ame ,

an d h er broth e rs c ann ot m arry in to t h e f amily s h e h as

be come id entified with but mus t go in a diffe re n t directio n ;

,

thus th ere are no f amily rel ation s (mdyu dama) in t h e w ay ,

th e y are on ly in cid en tally (tdwu l dh ta) conne cted B ut it is .

n o t compul s ory an d n o cu s tom s are viol at e d if a wife is

,

s ought s om e wh e re e l s e It is u se l ess eve n t o atte mpt t o s ay

.

wh at families c an inte rm arry n owad ays We k n ow wh at .

w as ge ne rally t h e cu s tom twe n t y o r twen ty five y e ars -

ago . Then among t h e chie fs it w as cus tom ary th at ,

A M drip chief marri ed t h e d aughter o f a M dran chie f ,

A M dran s ought h is bride among t h e N Hknms -

,

A N H kum we n t t o a branch o f t he t pai fami ly

-
, ,

( Gauri A ts i Hpunggan) , .

A t pai would seek a s po use among th e t taws or

A t taw would be a ccommodated by t h e M arips or

t pais .

Whil e in a general w ay these cus toms are s till o bse rved ,

th ere is as we h ave already s aid a te nd en cy t o o verride

, ,

these n arrow res trictions Amon g c ommone rs fo r a man .

,

t o m arry a wom an with t h e s am e s urn am e is looked upo n as

irre gul ar but it is done and will be done more and more
, .

Co ns anguinity is howe ver s trict ly forbidden

, , ,

( 1) With a fath er s s i s te r s child as t h e blood o f h er

’ ’
,

f athers (th at o f h er broth e rs ) is s till in h er ve ins e ven ,

t hough by law s h e bears a d ifferent n am e .

(2) A p aternal uncl e s children as t h e y are bro th ers

’
,

and s i s ters h aving t h e s ame s urname There is no .

w ord for cou sin o n t h e p aternal sid e all are hpu nan , ,

bro thers and sist ers ; a fat her s sis t er s c hil dren are also
’ ’
 1 82 TH E KAC H INS .

broth ers and s s ers , i t but all children o f th e moth er s s is ters ’

(3)
“
A
mothe r s sis te r s child as they are cous i ns and
’ ’
, ,
”
may be broth er s an d s is te rs as s h e may m arry in t h e ,

s am e f amily as t h e moth e r .

Th ese res triction s are no t viol ated ; it would be a gre at

dis gr ace to dis re g ard th e m Marri ages o f s i s ters and .

h alf s i s ters h as app aren tly ne ver bee n pr acticed and t h e

'

-
,

ge ne rally prohibite d d e grees o f in te rm arri age are obs e rved .

In th ese thi n gs o ur K achins are as s tri ct an d p articul ar

as an y ci vili z ed pe opl e c an be .

A bduction The re are t w o ways o f procuri ng a W ife

.
-

abductio n and a form al

, propos al T h e form e r method .

is res ort e d to if t h e m aid e n s f amily are u nre as on abl e an d

’

as k too much for the ir d aughte r I n th at c ase t h e m an s

’
.

family se n d s om e e miss ari es t o t h e girl s vill age who th ere '

,

se cur e t h e as s i s t an c e of an e ld e r an d s om e o f t h e youn g

pe ople T h e girl in qu est ion is led by a d ecoy to t h e

.

vill age o f t h e you ng man The re sh e is force d through .

-

t h e re ligiou s ce r e mon y an d is bou nd for life But if t h e .

p aren ts follow and arrive before s h e h as p as sed t h e sacr ed

e l e ph an t g r ass th ey c an pre vent t h e m arri age As a .

rul e howe ver t h e m atter is se ttl ed in a p eaceful w ay T h e

, ,
.

e ld e r w h o is in t h e s e cret goes t o t h e p are nts t h e

'

, ,

morn in g afte r t h e girl h as left h e s hows the m t h e presen ts , ,

an d as th e y are o n t h e re cogni ze d s c al e e ven if n o t all th e y ,

get tin g a wife cheap is s till in pr actice although it is

, ,

far from t h e gen eral proce e din gs Und er Briti s h rul e th e re .

is s till a ch eape r w ay which is be comin g more an d more

pop ul ar Y oun g pe opl e wi t h s omet hin g of mod ern ideas
.

will m arry be cau se they lik e eac h o t he r and if t h e p arents ,

o bj ect th e y c an run aw ay an d se ttl e down in so me c o mmu -

aw ay from home Thes e inn ovation s are greatly

‘

nit y .

de plored by t h e o ld co nse rvativ es who t h i nk youn g ,

.

pe o pl e are n ot wh at the y u se d t o be; an d t h at t h e times

"
'

are ge ttin g o ut o f j oi n t S till n eith e r abductio n n o r e lope

.
,
 MAR R IAGE C EREMO N IES . 1 83

ment are th e l B y far t h e greates t n umbe r of m arri ages

ru e .

tak e pl ace according t o t h e ances tral cus tom s and o ur ,

con cern is no w with t h e rul es and re gul ations nec ess ary
fo r a s trictly K achi n n upti al .

The prelimina riw Wh en t h e p are nts o f a youn g man

.

thin k it is ti me fo r him to h ave a wife o r rath er wh en the y ,

d es ire a d aughter in law t o work fo r them the y procur e

- -
,

so m e s m all articl es from all t h e lik e ly girl s o f f amili es with

which in te rmarri age is pe rmi ss abl e and cu s tom ary A .

divin er is se n t for and t h e articl es s ome y arn ch e wi ng

, , ,

lime a c oo n bo t a pi e ce o f cloth an article o f dres s o r

, , ,

an ythin g b e lo n gi n g to t h e girl are t es t e d by divi n atio n ,

.

T h e divi n e r pl aces t h e articles re pres en ti n g t h e diffe re n t

maid en s se p ar ate ly an d in li ne an d touchi n g each obj ect in ,

”
turn with t h e divi ni n g b amboo h e by h is art d e termi nes ,

whic h o n e will prove t h e bes t wife an d brin g t h e mo s t ,

happiness and pro s pe rity A s a rul e th ere mu s t be se veral

.

te s ts be fore a satisfactory rep ly is obt ai ned and t h e n ext ,

st e p in t ak e n .

The propos al Wh en t h e divin ation h as given t h e des ired

.

in form ation an d it is m ade clear t h at a ce rtain m aid en is

,

des tined t o be come t h e wife o f t h e yo ung man in ques tio n ,

an e xpe ri en ce d e mi ssary is se n t t o n e goti ate m att e rs with

t h e prosp e c tive p are n ts in law (mdyu u i) H e an d his

- -
.

comp an ions proceed t o t h e village and e n gage t h e se rvices

of s ome leadin g man (s dla ng e ld e r) o f th at c o mmu n ity, .

Thi s elder pro ceed s t o t h e home o f t h e inten ded an d

Op en s up negoti ati ons with h er family Th e e lder p re .

pares him se lf with half a bo ttl e o f liquor brought by t h e

re al go be tw ee n an d t h e oth er ha lf goes t o t h e fath e r o f t h e
-
,

maiden H e urges his case with s kill re min ding t h e pare n ts

.
,

that t h e f amily see k in g the ir d aught er is we ll t o do and

res pe ctable ; tha t t h e girl is o f m arri ag e able age ; th at it

is wise t o find h er a hus b and before s h e goes wron g

.

and bec omes a dis grace t o h er pare n ts Th e girl s fam il y

' ’
. .

n o w as k fo r t h e pe digree of t he youn g man an d p articu l ar s ,

as t o t h e s tandin g an d pro s pe rity of h is p aren ts They .

"
1 84 THE KACHINS .

p articul arly wi s h t o k now if t h ey are o f res pe ct ed lineage ,

and if the re h ave e ve r bee n an y wi tch es amo n g t he m .

If all is s ati s factory t h e liquor is accep t e d and t h e reply

,

In mo s t c ases howe ve r
”
is given , We ll it is as yo u wi s h
, .
, ,

s o importan t an aff air d e m an d s s e ve ral vi s i t s from t h e

‘

d e le g ate a gre at d e al o f co n s ul t ati o n is ne c ess ary and

, ,

t h e girl s f amily with an e ye to bu s iness t ry t o drive as

’
, ,

c lo se a b arg ai n as po ss ibl e But the re is n o law forbidding

.

t h e m att e r be i n g se ttl ed t h e firs t tim e ; it is all as it

h appe ns .

If t h e e lder h as bee n s ucce ssful h e returns t o h is house ,

wh ere t h e e mi ss aries h ave bee n w aiti ng T h ese h ave n o w .

(ns in ja) s o call ed

“ ”
in re ad iness t h e e ve nin g prese n ts , ,

be c ause th ese affairs are always dis cuss e d around t h e

e ven i n g fire T h e pres ent s as a rule co ns is t o f a dri e d
.

s quirre l o r a mol e wr appe d up in t w o bl an ke ts s om e s ilk o r ,

wool e n cloth O f course s uch presents vary and th ere are

.
,

in mo s t l o c aliti es differe n t s tand ard s for chi e fs an d c o m

monet s O ur con ce rn throughout is with t h e re gul atio ns
.

ob se rve d by t h e chi efs T h e line o f proce dure is t h e s ame

.

in each c ase but prese n ts and t h e price p aid are o n a l arge r

,

s c al e (mo re t h an doubl e) wh en a chi e f is m arri ed

, When .

t h e e ven in g prese n ts h ave been ac ce pt e d t h e d ate o f t h e ,

m arri age and oth er p articul ars c an be di s cuss ed .

T h e e mi ss ari es from t h e man s 'family are n otified th at s o

’

far all h as progresse d satisfactorily and t h ey no w e nter ,

t h e hou s e o f t h e pro s pe ctive brid e and t h e real b arg ain ,

in g be gins Th e e ld er firs t c all e d by t h e e mi ssaries

. ,

represen ts t h e ask in g family (dama ui) and a sec ond

”
“
,

”
e ld er atten d s t o t h e in te r es ts of the givin g family
(sn ayu m) T h e ques tion h o w much t o p ay fo r t h e
.
,

girl is t h e all abs orb in g s ubj ect T h e firs t e lder in . ,

t h e in teres t o f his clien t s and in cid ent all y o f his o wn t 1i es

, ,

t o pro c ure t he damsel as ch eaply as po ssi bl e while t h e ,

s e co n d e l d e r with simil ar mo tives argues fo r a li beral

, ,

allow an ce . This p art o f t he pro gramm e is prob ably never

se tt l ed in o ne evening and it may t ak e weeks and even
 MARR IAGE CE REMO NIES . 1 85

mo nt h s be fore t h e re is final
gree men t Th e price fo r
a a .

t h e d aughte r o f a chie f i n t h e goo d o ld times use t o be

o ne bullock call e d t h e
“
, liquor carryin g bullock rupees
o ne hu n dred vi ss o f s ilve r ; o ne s l ave (s h ingma la i

m dyam) t o carry o n t h e work form e rly done by t h e girl ;

,

o ne roll o f C hin ese e mbroid ery ; s om e fe lt cloth ; a rhi n o

c ero s horn and an el e ph an t t u sk ; a long richly e mbroid ered ,

C hinese c o at ; an o ld gon g ; a l arge far s oun ding gong -

t e n s p ans in circumfe re n ce ; t en cows ; o n e b uff alo t o be

s acrifice d an d e ate n by t h e s ubj e cts o f t h e chi ef o n t h e

weddin g day ; a s tri n g o f v alu abl e be ad s es pe ci ally i ntended ,

”
t o op en t h e h and and h eart of t h e mothe r th at s h e may ,

be willin g to p art with h er d aughte r This represe nts quite .

a good d eal o f prop e rty e ve n fo r a chi e f an d fe w c an ,

n owad ays p ay t h e price S l aves e le ph an t tu s ks and

.
,

rhin ocero s horn s are no longe r in t h e m arke t and c attle ,

o r mo ne y mu s t be s ubs tituted T h e pove rty o f t h e prese n t

.

tim es m akes it impo ss ible t o att ain t o t h e ances tral glo ry .

Th e full price is se ldom if e ve r p aid be fore t h e m arri age

, , ,

an d it may tak e years and y ears be fore t h e l as t c o w o r

r upee h as fo und it s way t o t h e givi n g famil y wh o ne ve r ,

forge t t o re mi n d their s o n s ln law o f t h e amou nt s till - -

For commoner t h e price is more m od erate but s till

a ,

h eavy e nough It i ncludes cattl e (s l aves in well to d o

.
,
-

famili es ) fel t cloth a go n g or t wo a bl ank e t a s ilk j acke t

,
-
, , ,
-
,

r upe es t e n and an ythi n g e l se th at c an be e xtort ed

, It .

will re adily be seen h o w ne ith e r c o mmo ne r no r chief co uld '

a fford t o kee p a l arge h are m with s uch prices fo r wom en If .

t h e wife e ve r c ompl ai ns th at s h e h as t o work t oo h ard ,

th e hus b an d always re mind s h er o f t h e h e avy price h e h ad

t o p ay and h e re g ard s it as h is right t o ge t his mone y b ac k
, .

Leaving the parental home When t he day for t h e wedding

.

( kumba sh ala i) h as arriv ed t h e maid en l e aves t he p arental

, ,

h ome . Fat her mother o r near rel atives neve r atten d the
,

w eddi n g which is always he ld at t h e brid egro o m s house

,
’
.

T h e girl is at t his o ccasion seen wi tho ut t h e b ask e t s always

1 86 THE KAC H INS .

carrie d by t h e women It is t h e only time sh e ever appears

.

o n t h e ro ad without a b urd en o n h er b ack S h e is atten d ed .

by a ce rtain number o f followe rs n ame ly : o ne e lde r ,

an d an eld erly wom an d e le g ate d by h e r family ; o n e brid es

m aid carryin g a l arge bas ke t o f gifts (kumba lit) from t h e
pare n ts and anoth er with a s m all e r b as ke t ; t h e e ld er
,

actin g as t h e firs t n e gotiator an d a m an appoi n te d t o

,

k ill t h e weddin g pig Thi s is t h e offici al lis t but in

.
,

additio n as m any as wi s h m ay follow an d th e re is u s u ally a ,

big g athe ring T wo s pears an d t wo s word s are fou n d in

.

each o f t h e b aske t s c arri e d by brid es m aid s bes id es th ey

con tain s ampl es o f gr ain and ve ge tabl es o f all kind s value d
by t h e Kachin T hes e b as ke ts s ign ify th at t h e bride is
.

bringin g pro s pe rity to h er n e w home T h e followe rs in .

additio n carry o ne s pe ar with which to dig t h e hol e for t h e

s acr e d e l e ph an t gr ass an d o n e s wo rd with which t o n otch

,

t h e lo g u se d as a n e w s ta irw ay by which t h e brid e e n te rs

, ,

t h e n e w ho me T h e man appoin te d t o kill t h e pig c arri es

.

h is o wn s word .

Be fore leavin g t h e home th e younger s is ter pres ents h er

.

w ith s uch s ilve r orn am en ts as are in fas hion If s h e h as

’

e ld e r s i s ters s h e mu s t appease the m with gift s for t h e

privile ge o f m arryin g be fore th em Th e p aren ts give h er .

as a dowry a s lave and a po n y ; poor pe ople give what

ever th e y c an affo rd T h e buffalo give n for t he purpo se is

.

k ille d and t h e vill age pe opl e h ave a fe as t If t h e family is .

weal thy and gene ro us o ne may be killed th e day aft er As .

a p arting gift t h e e mi ssari es presen t t h e bead s t o t h e brid e s

’

mother Th e p arty moves t o t he ho use o f t h e e lder

.

( jangh tung) and from th ere t h e processi o n tak es its w ay t o

,

t h e brid egroom s vill age wh ere th e y s tay in t h e house o f t h e

’

emiss ari es (k dsa m a n ta) un til ev erythin g 18 re ady fo r t h e

“

brid e s ome indi vidual is se nt (prob ab ly tw o o r th ree

th e , ,
.

days before) t o anno unce t h at an agreemen t h as be en

'

,
 MARR IAGE C EREMO NIES . 1 87

thing th en arran ge d and fri en d s and rel atives are c all ed

is , .

T h e s acrifices are se t ap art t h e e l eph an t gr ass t o be u sed is

,

c u t t h e hou se is se t in ord e r an d an abu n d an ce o f food and

,

dri n k is provided O n t h e morni n g o f t h e great day all t h e

.

vi ll age p e ople g ath e r at t h e hou se and try to m ake the m

Se lves ge n e rally u s eful . S om e cut an d s qu are a fres h
lo g which afte r be i n g n otch ed is u se d as a l add e r o r s t air
, ,

n e w wo m
“ ”
way for t h e an (mmz ningnam) t o s te p o n ,

wh en s h e e nters h er futur e hom e ; others s pre ad t h e m ats

and cut block s o f wood to se rve as s tool s fo r t h e brid e

an d t h e pri n cipl e gu es ts . T h e arr an ge m e n t o f t h e el eph an t

grass is an import an t p ar t o f t h e ce re mon y T he re is a .

hole dug for each o f t h e family na ts re prese nt ed and ,

“
fo r e ach o f t h e Fat es (maraw) T h e hol es are dug in.

a s tr aight lin e with t h e fro n t g abl e o f t h e hous e Th e

‘

ho u se hold nuts tak e t h e s id e n eare s t t h e house t h e Fates ,

t ak e t h e e nd aw ay from t h e dwe lli n g pl ace Th e bu n dl es .

o f e l e ph an t gr ass are dropp e d in to hol es dug wi th t h e s pe ar

brou ght for t h e occas ion but t h e holes are n o t fill ed in

, .

Wh en t h e grass h as be e n pl ace d a s qu ared log about s ix

,

fee t lon g is pla ce d so as t o di vid e t h e grass repres enti n g t h e

house hold nats i nto t wo e qu al p arts but t h e gr ass in hon or ,

o f t h e F at e s i s all turned t o o ne s id e There are as .

a rul e thr ee bun ch es o f gr ass re pre se n tin g t h e hou se hold

fl ats and thr ee in ho n or o f t h e Fat es

, T h e th ree Fates .

o n thi s oc c as io n are o f t h e brid e groom s hou se t h e brid e s

’ ’
,

family an d o f t h e e mi ssari es Each bun ch o f gr ass al s o

, .

rep rese n ts an offe ri n g to t h e respe ctiv e n at in ques tio n To .

t h e hou se hold divi n ities Cattl e and pig s are prese n ted ,

t h e F at es are sati s fi e d wi t h fowl s A diffe re n t pries t.

mu s t o fii ciat e at e ach o f t h e offeri n gs a nd h e t ak es s ome o f

,

t h e gr ass from t h e bunch represe nti n g t h e na t h e is s ervi n g ;

an d w aves it be fore him as h e o f fi c iat es Thi s p art o f .
‘

t h e ce re mon y u s ually t ak es a good part o f a foren oon ,

an d t h e pe opl e com e toge t h er for t h e m ai n e ven t .

While th ese offerings are prese nted t h e bride wh o h as , ,

remaine d in th e ho use of t h e go be t wee n is led fo rth by t h e

'

- -

,
1 88 THE KACHINS .

d el eg ated pe opl e whil e t h e young men and women

o ld ,

g o o u t t o m ee t h er p o u n di n
, g go n gs an d drums s in ging and ,

e ve n d an c ing (Th e d an c ing is by s om e young man p art ic

.

ul arly s ki ll e d in t h e art ) T h e d am se l is pl ace d o n a n ew

.

s tool o n a l arge b amboo mat ; h e r followe rs and rep resen

t at ives o f h er f amily are al s o ho n ored with n e w s tool s

o n f el t m ats H er future hu s b an d is n o w presente d to h e r ;
.

it is mos t lik e ly t h e firs t time th e y e ve r met Th e b ride s .

’

family through t h eir repres entatives now h ave t h e l as t

ch an ce t o e nrich the m s e lves o n accoun t o f the ir d aughter .

If th ere is anythi ng the y h ave n o t as ked for during t h e long

d ays o f ne goti atio n s the y no w do it enforcin g the ir
, ,

d e m an ds with t h e threat th at if th eir reques t is no t gr anted

'

t h e girl will n o t move a s t e p furt h e r and th e re will b e n o

weddin g There may be hours o f pl e adi n g and arguin g o r
.
,

it may t ak e only a few min utes t o com e to an und ers tand

ing but as a rul e t h e brid e s f amily h ave th e ir w ay and t h e
’
,

mo s t import an t p art o f t h e ac t t akes pl ace .

Wh en t h e l as t word in re gard t o t h e price h as been

s pok e n and e ve rythin g e l se is re ady t w o o ld man c arryin g
, ,

b amboo vess e l s filled with li quor appro ach t h e pri es t repre

se n tin g t h e wom an s f amily an d ask p e rmi ss io n t o k i ll
’
,

t h e s acrifici al h o g T h e pri es t s te ps forth and with a

.

s acr ed s wo rd ( a big bl ack uns h arpe ned iro n s word

, , ,

n e ve r u se d e xce pt c ere mo n i ally) draws a lin e acro ss t h e ,

n e ck o f t h e hog an d the n d e c apitat es it with his re gul ar

s word . T h e blood is s prink l ed o n t h e t w o rows o f el e ph an t

grass and o n t h e log be tween Th e bride n o w s tep s forth led
.

by o ne or t wo fe m al e re l atives s tep s o n t h e po s t an d p asses

,

be tween t h e grass followed by t h e brid es m aid s and s ome

,

dis tan t rel atives Thos e no t re l ate d t o h er p ass by o n

.
,

e ith e r s id e an d all move tow ard s t h e hou se o f t h e bri d e

,

groom In s ome localiti es a pri es t follo ws t h e bride touch

.
,
'

ing h er fore head with a loop o f e l ephan t gras s s ign ifying ,

that anything imprope r and unlucky mus t be left be hind .

 MARR IAGE CE REMO N IES . 1 89

h er n ew d aughter pl aces a s tring o f be ad s aroun d

, and

h e r n eck S h e is th e n conducte d t o t h e mothe r in l aw s

’
- -
.

fire pl ace and all her new re l atives are i n troduced H er .

brid es m aid s follow h er but t h e you ng men in t h e p arty

,

s t ay be hi n d in t h e pl ace wh e re t h e you n g pe opl e are allowe d

t o m ee t .

N o w b e gins t h e more fes tive p art o f t h e o ccas ion Th e .

re present ati ves o f t h e bride s family when enteri n g t h e ’

hou se mod es tly se ttl e down at t h e lowe r fire pl ace where

,
-

t h e youn g pe opl e g ath e r T h e chie f o f c e re mo n ies n o w

.
,

re prese n ti n g t h e brid e groom s f amily b e g s th e m t o s te p up

’
,

t o t h e chie f fi re pl ace an d s it in t h e pl ace o f ho n or

-
The y .

acce pt t h e i n vit atio n an d as a tok e n o f appre ci atio n pl ace a

S pe ar at t h e corn e r o f t h e fire pl ace Th ey are pre s ent ed

-
.

with eggs and cotton cloth and th ey mus t b e t h e firs t t o

-

p artak e o f t h e weddi ng fe as t They are lib erally s upplie d .

with food and dri nk and th e y prai s e t h e gene ro s ity o f

,

t h e hou se T h e n be te l n ut lim e tob acco t e a an d oth e r

.
, , ,

thi ngs u sed in fri endly e xch an ge o f courtes y are prese nted ,

and t h e vill ag e pe opl e and oth e rs in t e res t ed presen t gifts ,

mos tly o f liquor and veget abl es and becom e acqu ai nte d ,

wi th t h e n ew wom an .

Blessing the bride O n t h e e ve n in g o f t h e weddin g day

.

“
there is a tes t to find o ut if t h e bride h as a s traight
or crooke d mi nd A l arge boil e r fill ed with rice gru e l is
.
-

pl aced before h er If sh e c an take t h e boil e r and in o ne

.

att empt pl ac e it s tr aight o n t h e tripod ove r t h e fire h er ,

A s K achi n wom en are s kill e d in th ese

“ ”
min d is s traight .

p arti cul ars it is se ldom a failure is reco rd ed T here is

, .

general rejoicin g ; s m all pieces o f t h e s kin from t h e an im al s

s acrifice d are put in with t h e gru e l an d it is se rve d t o ,

all arou n d in pl an t ai n l eaves .

If th ere is a vill age b ard procurabl e h e is likely t o be

call ed and will s ing t h e ances tr al s tory o f t h e bride and
,

bl ess h er future c aree r T h e t wo s pe ars carri ed by t h e

.

brid es m aid s are n o w brought forth ; t o e ach is ti ed secure ly

t w o divin in g b amboo s and ears o f a k ind o f mill et .
1 90 ms A
K C HINS .

Th ese bless in g as t hey are called rep resent t h e

p
s ears o f , ,

fath er an d t h e moth e r o f t h e brid e an d are pl ace d by

t he fire pl ace o f t h e brid e groo m s p ar en ts : be t ween th e m is

’
-

pl aced a se rver con tain in g food m ade up o f gluten ou s rice ,

e ggs and bo il e d meat T h e Iaiwa (hi gh pri es t) o f t h e

.
-
,

commun i t y afte r h avin g libe rally imbibe d o f t h e free ly

,

fl owin g liquor no w begins h is re cital which will l as t all

,

night lon g As it is n o w l ate in t h e e ven in g all are more or

.

l es s un der t h e in fluen ce o f drin k but as a rul e t h e crowd is

,

o rd erly Th e Ja iwa w ill re ci te a coupl e t from his long

. .

s tory and thos e p articul arly interes ted and es pe ci ally ,

n ovi ces in train in g will r epeat it afte r him

, In thi s way h e .

will re h earse in rhythmic l an gu age t h e s tory o f t h e first

b rid al p air and t h e p articul ar hi s tory o f t h e brid e e n din g
, ,

with wi s hi ng h er a l arge n umbe r o f children and a ,

l ong h appy and pros perous life Wh en a chi ef is married

, .

t h e wis h is ex presse d th at th e y may in cr ease and multiply

like t h e fruit o f t h e sacred fig tree I n t h e case o f a -
.

co mmon er a l ess e xpress ive illus tr ati o n is u se d Th e food .

o f bl ess i n g
”
pl aced be tween th e S pears o f bl es s ing is
eat en tog e th e r wi t h a c e rtai n kin d o f rice h as h t h e next -

“ ”
morn ing and is then c alled I public food (tam ya s ha t):
,

A roll o f t h e h as h (o r rice) is pl aced in t h e bride gro om s

” ’

h an d wh o puts it up t o t h e mou t h o f t h e bride an d s h e eats

, ,

a littl e o f it ; t h e brid e r e turns t h e complim en t and t his

is t h e firs t m ea l o f t h e h appy c oupl e After t h e brid al p air

.

h ave t as ted t h e ta m ya s ha t all c an p art ake o f this food

, ,

which is s ure t o brin g bl ess ings es pec ially t o those wh o m y

is over gu es ts h ave s cattered but it s t ill re mains

, the ,

t o ge t rid o f t h e in sa ti abl e re prese n tatives o f t h e brid e s

’

family wh o lik e l ee ches h an g o n t o t h e l ast Bas ke ts

,
.

are woven an d m e at from t h e of fe rin gs with rice liquor , ,

cloth an d gon gs are m ade up in to t wo lo ad s for t h e co ns ola

,

tion o f t h e lo nely p aren ts They ag ain thro ugh their .

 MARR IAGE CE REMON IES . 19 1

followers mu s t n o t be forgotten and the ir rem uneration

may be abo ut t h e followin g : t h e e lde r t h at es corted t h e
b rid e s ome s ilk cloth ; t h e wom an o n t h e sam e miss io n abo ut
,
-
,

five rup ees worth o f s tuff ; t h e l arge s t o f t h e t wo m aid s ,

abo ut ru pees fi ve t h e s m aller o n e rupees three ; t h e

,

e ld e r w h o did t h e b arg ai n i ng o ne co w ; t h e man w h o

,

kill ed t h e pig s ome wool en cloth or money T h e other

, .

followe rs are given accordin g t o m eans and pl eas ure any

t hin g from a fe lt mat t o s om e be t e l nut and tob acc o .

H avin g obta in ed th e ir prese nts the y are c arri ed p as t t h e

vill age entran ce wh ere t h e p arting word is s po k en and then ,

they s t art fo r home If the y h ave t o be s eve ral d ays o n t h e

.

ro ad th ey c an use t h e provi s io n s en t fo r t h e brid e s f amily

,
’
,

but if it is o nly a d ay s journey th e y mu s t d eliver e verything

’

in t act With thi s the ir mi s s ion in en ded

‘

. .

Aft e r t h e wedding is ove r t h e brid e re m ai ns i ns id e h er

n ew home four day s s p en din g mo st o f h er time pre p ari ng
,

m alted rice O n t h e fourth day t h e Spe ci al fri end s o f

.

t h e f amily h ave a s m all wind up o f t h e ce re mo ni es an d e at ,

and dri n k wh at e ve r is l eft Th e brid e is en titl ed t o m ak e

.

three vi s its ( u s u ally s tyl ed th at sh e ru ns away three times)

, ,

t o h e r p are n t al hom e and t h e b rid e groom and his f amily are

,

ne ve r s ure th at s h e will re turn t o th e m ag ai n T h e firs t .

(lanen uh tang) about s ix o r e ight d ay s afte r t h e m arri age is

,

t o s how h er affe ctio n fo r h er p ar en ts and hom e ; t h e se co n d

(kumba uh tang) which t akes pl ace be fore t h e e l e ph an t grass
,

is re mo ved is an ordin ary frie n dly vi s it ; an d t h e third

, , ,

foun d ed o n an o ld tradition ( ta uga h k dbcmg la n h tang) h as ,

in vi e w t h e bri n gi n g o f t h e l as t o f t h e brid e s b elo ngi n gs

’

t o h er n ew hom e If t h e bride s p arents are n o t s ati s fi ed

’
.

with t h e gifts rece ive d th e y h ave a right t o kee p h er at

,

home after o ne o f th ese vi s its o n t h e con ditio n th at th ey

,

re turn wh at already h as be en p aid But if th ey are satis fied .

,

the y will se nd b ack the ir d aughte r t o h er new home ,

an d afte r t h e third tim e s h e is fore ve r se ttl ed in h e r n e w

s urroun di n gs C ases are howe ver no t uncommon when after

.
1 92 THE KAC H INS .

t h esevis it s s h e actu ally run s away and rem ains in h er o wn

home If t h e p aren ts c ann o t pre vail o n h er t o return
. I
,

and sh e tak es up re l atio ns with form e r lovers th e re may be ,

a fe ud and a d ebt (hka) t o p ay ; but it is n o t a case -

fo r divorce as it is n o t re garded as adulte ry

, , A s m all fine .
,

be fi
s uf cient qu are m atte rs Adulte ry ; (infide li t y in
to ,
s .

t h e case o f a wife w h o m ay h ave h ad childre n) w as n early

_ ,

al w ay s p un i s h e d with d eat h B ut as a rul e t h e Kachin .

m arri age rel atio ns though no t ide al are as h appy as

, , ,

we h ave a right to e xpe ct Wife beati ng is rath e r t h e

.
.
-

e xc eptio n T h e wife h as a gr eat de al o f in flu en ce in t h e

.

hom e and as s h e grows old e r s h e be comes hon ore d a nd

.

res pe cted es pe ci ally if s h e is t h e proud mothe r o f a

,
‘

l arge n umbe r o f boys .

Marri age be tw ee n K achi n s and oth e r races S h ans , ,

B urm an s and Chines e is not unkn o wn but no t at all ,

common In d ays gone by wealthy ch iefs would h ave o ne

.

o r more S h an wives and n o w and th e n a Burm an wom an

, .

In all s uch c as es t h e childre n we re tre ated as K achin s

an d so me o f t h e more i n te llige nt famili es s how unmis t ak e
‘

abl e tr ac es o f th i s mixe d p ar en t age We dd ings o f thi s .

ki nd were nearly alway s co nducted in accord ance with t h e

cu s tom s and u s ages of t h e wom an s pe opl e ’
.

de fi e d?
Men m ka ing uri a l
b d e c ora ion s
t .

Vi ll a g e b uri al m ar ch . P . 192 .
 C HAPT ER XV I .

F UN ERAL C ERE MO NIE S .

All K chi ns b eli e ve in a life afte r thi s ; but thi s faith h as

a

n o pr actic al import an c e or be ari n g in re g ard to co n duct

o r mor al s in t h e pre s e n t life Th ere is n o attempt to

.

pre p are fo r t h e h ere afte r by any s pe ci al rul e s o r ce re mon i es .

H e n ce th e ir be li e f in t h e life to com e c an h ardly b e c all ed a

p art of the ir re ligio n ; it is s imply t h e i ne vitabl e th at all
mu s t f ace ; it is acc epted as a p art o f t h e ord e r o f thi ngs .

De ath is n o t fe ared by t h e s avage n early as much as by t h e

civili ze d m an A K achi n do es n o t wi s h to t alk about d e ath ;
.

but wh en t h e hour com es t h e i ndividu al and those arou n d

,

him aw ait t h e fi n al s truggl e with s toic al c alm n e s s and

i ndiffe ren ce Th e cryi n g an d l amen t atio n (ge n erally by a
.
,

fe w old wom e n o r t h e n e ares t fe m al e re l ati ve s ) is a p art o f ,

t h e progr am in co n n e ctio n with t h e ob s e qui es N o doubt .

i n m an y c as es th e re is ge n uin e gri e f but t h e mourne rs are

,

s oo n res ig ned an d compo se d acce pti n g t h e i n e vit abl e

, ,
.

I n r e g ard to t h e future t h e b e lie f is s imply thi s : th e re is

a life afte r thi s live d in t h e an ce s tral re alm s wh e re co ndi
, ,

tio ns are abo ut t h e s ame as upo n e arth Furth e r th an thi s .

a K achi n l e ft to him s e lf h as n e ve r ad van c e d

, , .

Th e spirit ( tsu) Every i n di vidu al at t h e mom e n t of death

.

b ecom es a s pirit ( ts u) which is diffe ren t from t h e gho s t

,

(minla) T he ghos t is a kin d of an as tr al body whil e

.

t h e s pirit is looke d upo n as a h alf fl at bou n d for t h e -

an c est r al r e gio n s Thi s pl ace t h e abod e o f all di se mbodied

.
,

Sp irits u n l ess th e y re turn to th e ir form e r h abit ations is ,

d es ign ated by differen t t erm s o f which t h e mo s t commo n

are Ts u ga t h e l an d o f t h e S h ad es o r S pirits ; K d ts an ga
, , ,

t h e far aw ay cou n try ; "a t na ga t h e l an d o f t h e pe rpe tu al

,

i n cre as e t h e abod e o f t h e de p arted and J z woz ga t h e

' ’

, , ,

an ces tr al r e alm s Th e s pirit mu s t p ass t h e t

. raw h ka ,

13
1 94 TH E KACH INS .

(t h e white rive r) wh e re it w as h es of
f all t h e de file ment
o f ea rth and puttin g o n t h e fore h ead an d appe aran c e o f a
,

mo n ke y proceed to t h e cros s ro ad th at l e ad s to t h e
,
-

an ces tr al abod es T h e re are n o ve ry d e fi n ite id e as as to t h e

.

n ature o f t h e l ife in thi s my s te riou s r e alm but t h e ge ne ral

impress ion is th at t h e life o n t h e o t he r s id e is much like t h e
pres e n t T h e s pirits h ave a ki n d of a body an d s t an d
.

in n ee d of food (t h e e ve n i n g h az e ) ; th ey c an m ake us e
o f s l ave s w e apo n s mon ey and agricult ur al impl e m e n ts
, , .

But as to all thi s th e re is a gre at di ve rs ity o f Opin ion ,

an d t h e fu n e r al cu s tom s throw ve ry littl e light o n t h e

s ubj ect . Fu ner al c e re mon i es follow t h e an ce s tral cu s tom s

without any atte mpt to expl ain t h e wh y and wh e refore .

T h e pre se n t day K achi n m ay kn ow n othin g abo ut t h e

origin al mean i ng att ach ed to t h e rites an d c e re mon i e s h e
follows H e re pe at s the m b e cau s e it is t h e cus tom an d there
.

h e l e ave s it T hi s is n o t an un commo n e xp eri e n ce in highe r

.

w alks o f civiliz atio n .

I nfl uenced by Buddh is m Whil e t h e re ality of a life after

.

this is acce pte d as an u n dis pute d f act th e re is n o con ce ption ,

o f an e n dl e ss e xi s ten c e or immort ali t y T h at t h e d e p art e d .

pas s o ve r i n to t h e an ces tral re alms and th ere re m ai n is

a se ttl ed co n victio n ; but wh e th e r th e y are ali ve s ay a ,

thou s and years from n o w and if s o in wh at co nditio n th e y

, ,

fin d th e m se l v e s are qu es tio n s th at h ave n e ve r troubl e d

,

the m or cl ai med t heir atte ntion T he y would affirm o r

, .

d eny n othi n g as to t h e po ss ibiliti e s o f t h e h e reafte r In .

s om e loc aliti es wh e re S h an i n flu e n c e is in e v id e n c e th e re is a ,

be lief in Mong L iban t h e N igba n o r N irvana of Buddhis m

, .

T o this pl ac e t h e good an d t h e worthy are admitt e d But .

whil e th e y h ave borrowe d t h e n ames from Buddhi s m t h e ,

co nce ptio n o f t h e pl ace com e s n e ar e r t h e Chri s ti an id e a o f

h e ave n th an t h e tr aditio n al id e a of N igban A nn ihi l ation .

o r c ess a tio n of e xi s t en ce are propo s itio n s as far abo ve th e ir

r ange o f thi n ki ng as t h e id e as o f immort ality o r an e n dl es s

,

e t e rn i t y T h e re is a wid es pre ad faith in t h e po s s ib ility of

.

trans migr atio n but fe w cl aim a p e rs o n al be li ef alo ng thi s

,
 FU NERAL CE REMO NIES . 1 95

line , an d till fe we r hold th at they h ave live d in form e r

s

a g es . I n t h e N orth e rn S h an S t at es w e h e re an d th ere m ee t
o ld K achi n s w h o cl aim to re m e mbe r th e ir p as t s t ages o f

e xi s t e n c e but th es e a re e xc e ptio n s an d th ey h ave l eft t h e

, ,

tru e K achi n f aith be hi n d N atur ally wh e re ther e is a t en .

de n c y to b eli e f in t h e Budd h i s t h e ave n an d t h e id e a o f

"
,

tran s migr atio n is re g ard e d as a poss ibility th e f aith in ,

a h e ll would n o t be abse n t T h e kn owl edge of t h e .

S h an M ong N gdrai di t h e c auldro n o f h e ll (Burm a ngdye)

, ,

co nveys to t h e ave rage K achi n an ide a o f a pl ace of pu n is h

m e n t and torm en t But th e re is n o p articul ar fe ar o f t h e
.

pl ace an d th e s e id eas i ntroduce d from t h e outs id e h ave

,

n e ve r be e n i n corpor at e d i n to th e ir re a l f aith an d life In t h e .

an c es tr al tr aditio n s as r e h e arse d a t e v e ry fu ne r al
, th e re is ,

n o m e n tio n of e ith e r M ong N gdra i di ( or as so m e s ay M ong ,

p i g a ,t h e n ut a
c o u n t ry ) or M on g L iban Th ,e s pirit .

proceed s directly from this life t o t h e l an d of t h e h e re afte r ;

th ere is only o ne w ay to follow an d o nly o n e pl ac e allotted ,

for t h e d es cen d an ts of C hy dn un an d Wah kyet we .

I nhu ma tion Pe rs o ns h av i n g di e d by accid en t (lasa s i )

.
,

by drown in g kill ed by tige rs s truck by lightn i n g e t c and

, , , .
,

wom en who h ave di ed in co nfine m e n t are cre m ate d If , .

buri e d in t h e u s u al w ay th e y would b ecom e m align an t

na ts who would l e ad oth e rs i n to t h e s am e ki n d s of m is fo r

tu n e th at e nde d th e ir lives In sane pe rso n s are buri e d .

s t an di n g with an e arth en po t cove ri n g t h e h e ad A ll .

oth e rs are inte rred with e l aborate an d e xp e n s ive fu n e ral

c e re mon ies T h e re is with t h e K achi ns as with s o m an y
.
,

oth e r primiti ve r aces a d e s ire for o s te nt atiou s ob se quies

, ,

es pe ci ally if it is an o ld man o r wom an who is co n duct e d o n

t h e l as t journ e y Childre n b elive th at th e y e s pe ci ally ho n or

.

t h e p aren ts if th e y gi v e th e m a buri al accordin g to t h e

bes t th e y c an afford and t h e de p arted will bl e ss the m
,

a ccordi n gly .

O rder offune ral ceremon ies T h e ob se qui es co n s i s t o f t wo

.

di s tin ct p arts T her e are firs t t h e buri al (lap mdkoi o r

.
, ,

mang h ta ka u a i) which m e re ly di s po ses o f t h e corp se

, ,
1 96 TH E KAC H INS .

(mung) while
, pirit ( ts n) r e m ains in t h e o ld hom e
the S , ,

inh abitin g t h e nut pl ace T h e ne xt an d much more impor

-
.

t an t s te p is t h e hidin g o f t h e corp se (mung m ukoi) by

’

which is m e ant t h e se ndin g away of t h e S pirit to t h e anc e s

tral re alm s T h e s e co n d ac t m ay t ake pl ace wee ks mo n th s
.
,

o r e ve n y e a rs aft e r t h e i n t e rm e n t o f t h e corp se T h e fi n al .

hon ors t o t h e d e p arted is a mo s t e xp e ns i ve affair es pe ci ally ,

if it is a chi ef o r o ld and promine n t pe opl e A gen e ral id ea

, .

of t h e differe nt p art s of t h e ce re mo n y will be g ain e d by

h avi n g in mi n d t h e n umbe r of s acrifices from t h e day o f
t h e d e mi se to t h e mom e n t t h e s pirit is co n duct ed o n t h e
ro ad to t h e l an d o f t h e an ces tr al s h ad e s T h ere are t wo .

ki n d s o f offeri ngs t h e firs t of which are ab s olut e ly ne c e s

,

s ary , t h e se co n d cl as s are more or l es s v olu n t ary Th e .

n e c ess a ry offe ri n gs are t h e commun al s acrifices (md

yawng s h ingkyuwng h knnggu) o f which mourn e rs an d all p ar
,

t ake ; t h e v olu n t ary gifts ( jakp a s h dm t hkunggu) are ,

e s pe ci ally i n t e n d e d for t h e s pirit an d o nly old p e opl e c an

,

join in t h e s acrifici al m e al Anyo ne is at libe rty to add as

.

m an y offe rin gs and s acrifices to t h e re gul ar n umbe r as

i n clin atio n and abil ity dictate T h e ne ce ss ary offe ri ngs
.
,

which al s o i ndic ate t h e s te p s followed in t h e fune r al ce re

mon i es are t h e followi n g
,

Wh e n S hroudi n g w as hi n g and re mo vin g t h e corp se (mung

,

s h ahm ui ) o n e bu llock an d o n e fowl

,
.

Whe n pl ace d in s t ate ( mung jung) o ne fowl , .

Wh en m aki ng t h e c o flin (dun da w) o ne fowl

‘
, .

Wh en putti n g up t h e k droi (k droi juing) o ne co w o r ,

a buffalo .

Wh e n d an cin g in front o f t h e hou s e (ndaw k dhkrung) o ne ,

fowl .

Wh e n digging t h e grave (lap or ns ung hk a h tu) o n e fowl ,

.

Wh e n s t artin g t h e d e ath d ance (k dbung da m s h awn) o ne

-
,

fowl .

Wh en puttin g t h e s pirit to s l ee p (ts u sh dyup ui) o ne hog ,

.

When arou s ing t h e S pirit ( ts u i ds ) o n e h o g ,

.
 FU NERAL CEREMO NIES . 1 97

Wh e n g ath e ri n g wood for t h e fun er al cere moni es (hpun

h tu) o ne hog
, .

Wh en m akin g ge ne ral pre p aration s (ldhpuw h tut ,

o n e hog .

Wh e n ge tti ng out timbe r for t h e gr ave (wa baw Iu ui) o ne ,

hog .

When cl e ari ng t h e j un gl e arou n d t h e gr ave (lap ru kunen

ui) o n e c o w
, .

Wh e n buildin g t h e s tructure o ve r t h e gr ave o n e bullock , .

Whe n s e p arati n g t h e d ead a nd t h e liv in g ( mdgu

mdrun ui ) o ne hog , .

Wh e n d an cin g t h e fin al d an ce aroun d t h e grave (lap

khreng) o n e fowl
, .

Wh e n t h e fri e nd s t h e l as t e ven in g put t h e b elo n gi n gs o f

, ,

t h e d e ce as e d arou n d t h e gr ave (bungh kuw s u s h ddnn ui) ,

a fowl and a pig .

A nnouncement of dea th Wh en anyone expires t h e ne ws

.
,

is ann ou n ce d by t h e firin g o f gu ns an d b eati n g of go n gs

'

This is es pe ci ally tru e if it is a chie f o r s ome old res pe cted

pe rs on o f t h e commu n ity D is t an t frie nd s and re l ati ves are
.

c all ed t o t h e funeral and those n e ar at h an d re p air t o

,

t h e hou se o f mourn i n g for t h e s ake o f see i n g ( ldhpu ya

a t) t h e d e c ease d m aki n g pr ese n ts p art aki n g o f t h e s acrifi ce s
, , , ,

and ren d e ri n g ass i s t an ce in s uch w ay s as th e y c an In t h e .

case o f t h e d e mise o f s om e promin en t m embe r o f t h e

commun ity o r a chi ef u s u ally all work is s u s pe n d ed for o ne
,

o r t w o d ay s but thi s is n o t compul s ory e xce pt wh e re th e re

,

h as be en a d e ath by accid en t .

S h rouding was h ing and removing the M 88 (mung

,

s h dkm ui) O ne o f t h e firs t re qui s ites is t h e bri n gi n g o f

.

wate r fo r was hin g t h e f ace o f t h e corp se Two men armed .

with gu ns procee d to t h e vill age S pri ng followed by t wo

women O n e o f th e m c arri es a b amboo vesse l t h e mouth
.
,

o f wh ich is cut co n t r ary t o cu s tom

, at t h e s m all e r e nd, .

( A K achi n cuttin g h is b ambo o vesse l s fo r t h e use o f liquor

o r c arrying o f w ate r al ways m ak es t h e ope ni n g at t h e lowe r
,

j oint cou nted from t h e root ; but nearly e ve ryt hi ng

,
198 TH E KACH INS .

conn e cte d wi th t h e buri al ( lap mdkoi) is do ne up s ide ,

down (wn tun to s ign ify th at t h e w ays and cus tom s amon g
t h e d e p art ed are oppo s ite t o those o f t h e livi n g ) T h e t w o .

men fi re th e ir gu ns i nto t h e S pri n g forci n g b ack t h e w at e r

, ,

an d as it ru s h es b ack ag ai n t h e wom an with t h e b amboo

ves se l m ake s a plunge for t h e des ire d amount an d a h as ty ,

The hroudin g t ake s pl ace before t h e w as hi n g of t h e face

s .

All t h e be lo n gi n gs in t h e line of clothi n g and orn amen ts are

u se d T h e d ead body is dre sse d up as for an ordin ary
.

feas t an d wh at c ann ot be worn is pl ace d be fore t h e pl ace

,

occupi ed But in ord e r to i ndic ate th at t h e d e ad pe rs o n is

.

faci n g t h e othe r world b ag an d s word are hu n g from

, ,

t h e l e ft s hould e r i n s t ead of t h e right T h e w ate r is n o w

.

brought in and is poured i nto an old v alu e d go n g if it , ,

is a chi e f an d i n to an ordi n ary go n g if it is a commo n e r

, .

T h e corp s e is h e ld s e ate d o n a lo w s tool A little of t h e .

w ate r is poured in t h e l eft h and which is p ass ed o ve r t h e

,

f ac e o n ce o n ly T o repe at it would b e to follow t h e w ay of

.

t h e livi n g M an y K achi n s n e ve r u se th e ir l e ft h an d in
.
.

w as hin g the ir f ace S ince thi s is t he w ay of t h e d e ad A s

, .

t h e w as hi n g is t aki n g pla c e t h e o n look e rs an d tho se

,

att en di n g to t h e de ta il s rai se from tim e to time a loud ,

we ird or mourn ful l am ent ation

,
.

Whil e t h e d e ce as e d is s till lyin g wh e re h e e xpired a ,

c o w o r a buffalo is brought oppo si t e t h e pl ace A pri es t .

t akes a s word and pl aces it be twee n him se lf an d t h e corp se ,

an d b e gin s addr e ss i n g t h e s am e H e t e ll s t h e form er lord of

.

t h e hou se ( or wh at e ve r t h e s tati on m ay be ) th at h e is n o w ,

a sp irit ( tsu) an d wil l be ho n ore d accordi n gly

,
H e is .

re qu es te d not to S pe ak to any o f t h e i nm ates of t he

hou se n o t to lo ng for comp an io ns from t h e e arth and no t
, ,

t o in t e rfe re in th ei r pl e as ur es Th e an im al is kille d with a

.

blow from t h e b ack o f an ax ju s t be hind t h e horns T h e .

c arc as s is divide d i nt o t wo e qu al pa rts o ne fo r t h e d ead ,

and o ne fo r t h e livi n g ; but o n ly o ld pe opl e c an eat of this

me at So in order t o en abl e all t o p artake a fowl is s ubst i

. ,
 FU NERAL CEREMO NIES . 1 99

t ut ed fo r t h e ve ry
pe opl e and t h e d e ad Th e h e ad
o ld .
,

wi ngs and l e gs are pl aced be fore t h e corp s e T h e h alf .

of the re gul ar sa crifice b e lo n gi n g to t h e d e ad is n o w

di vide d Parts are pl aced o n t h e alt ar for t h e d ec eas ed an d
.
,

all who h ave p as se d t h e child be ari n g age c an p art ake of -

t h e re s t Y ou n g and middl e age d p e opl e mu s t n o t touch

.
-

thi s p art of t h e offe ri n g as it will m ake th em i n diffe re n t

t o th e ir po s t e rity T h e h alf for t h e li vi n g is di v id ed an d
.

e at en by all t h e vi s itors an d s m all p ack ag e s (h kringbui) are

, ,

se n t all arou n d t h e v ill ag e .

T h e body is n o w mo ve d to t h e h e ad of t h e chi e f
fire pl ac e an d is co ve re d with at l e as t two bl an k e ts
-
, Child .

re n an d n e ar r e l ati ves com e and p ass th e ir h an d s o ve r

th e body s h i ppin g it of im agi n ary b elo n gi n gs and

, ,

putting th e m i n to im agin ary b ags hu n g arou nd t h e w ai s t .

This in dic ates th at th ey wis h to k ee p for the ms e l ves all

t h e luck good fortu ne an d prop e rty po s se sse d by t h e
,

d e ce ased thu s pre ve n ti n g him from c arryi n g it aw ay to t h e

,

nut cou n try

-
Th e e yes of t h e d e p art e d are at thi s j un cture
.
,

clo se d by s ome p articul ar fri e n d T h e be li ef is th at as lon g .

as th e re is an ythin g t h e d e c ease d may s till d e s ir e t h e ,

e y es will n o t clo se an d t h e body will n o t grow cold or

s tiff .I n s om e loca liti e s a pi e ce o f mo n ey is droppe d i n to

t h e mouth to e n abl e t h e s h ad e to p ay t h e f e rrym an ,

but thi s is no t a re gul ar K achi n cu s tom .

P laced in s ta te (mung jang) , Th e d e ad h avin g b een .

prope rly atte n d ed to an d thu s satis fie d (s h ahm ) an d ,

having bee n res tin g (s h drawn) at t h e pl ace of ho n or at ,

t h e chi e f fi re pl ace a lo w s ofa lik e e l e v atio n o f b amboo

-
,
-

is put up at t h e nu t co m e r an d th e re t h e body is l aid and is

-
, ,

curt aine d off from vi e w T here it re m ai ns till t h e buri al

. .

But t h e s pirit ( ts u) from thi s mome nt be comes t h e gu ardi an

,

f amily nut u ntil it is s e n t o ff to t h e an ce s tral re alms T h e

,
.

family altar is removed an d all t h e e mble ms o f all ,

t h e form e r nu ts who h ad a pl ac e th e re are put o ut o f t h e

w ay for t h e n e w occup an t A fire pl ace is m ade espe ci ally
.
-

for t h e ne w nut by which to kee p comforta bl e ; food n o t ,

 200 THE KACH IN S .

co ntaini ng lt o r p e ppe r is pl ace d be fore him at l e as t o n ce

sa ,

a day and in c ase o f ill n ess in t h e f amily s acrifi ces are m ad e

, ,

to t h e n e w gu ardi an implori ng his h elp and ass is t an ce .

M aking of the cofiin (dun daw ui) T h e c o fli n of a chi e f

‘
.

is alw ays m ad e o f t h e odi n a tre e (a s p eci es o f p ink ado e ) ,

( la is ai hpun) ; commo ne rs mu s t n o t use thi s ki nd o r th e y

'

will e ncoun ter t h e offen d ed s pirits o f the ir C hi eftai n s in t h e

othe r world T h e tree wh ate ve r ki nd is u se d is bought
.
, ,

with a price ; a fowl is d as he d ag ains t t h e trun k wh en it

is about to f all in ord e r to propiti ate t h e ge niu s o f t h e tr ee
,

for be in g put to s uch u se T h e fo wl is e ate n by thos e doing

.

t h e work . A s l ab h alf a foot in thickness is S plit for t h e

, ,

co ve r t h e res t is hollowed o ut for t h e c o fli n There is as a

, .

rul e n o atte mpt at orn amen t ation and t h e coffi n is d aube d ,

with rgd c lay if t h e i n te rm e nt is se ve ral d ays o ff I n

‘
.

th at c ase a s m all hol e is m ad e by t h e fee t conn ected with a ,

b ambo o pipe which conducts t h e s ecre tio ns to a hol e

in t h e groun d u nd e r t h e hou s e T h e buri al alway s t ake s .

pl ace o n an e ven day after t h e de mi se It mu s t be o n .

t h e se co n d fourth s ixth o r e ight day

, , O nly a proph e t .

is buri ed o n t h e s e ven th day fo r re as o ns alre ady e xpl ai n ed .

The k droi .Be fore e very hou se o f mourn i ng is pl ace d a

circl e o f b amboo s in ters p ers e d with bran ch es o f tree s .

Leaves and foli age mu s t be l eft as it is and t h e whol e ,

rese mbl es a clump o f b ambo o t h e uppe r circl e be in g wid e r ,

th an t h e b ase T h e whol e is h eld togeth er with s trong

.

b and s o f b amboo rattan o r vines cut from t h e ju ngl e T h e

-
, .

timbe r con tai ned in thi s circl e (k droi) rem ains till t h e ,

day wh e n t h e b ut o ve r t h e gr ave is put up an d is u se d for ,

this p urpose It mu s t n e ve r be u se d fo r anyt hin g el se A

. .

bull o ck o r a b uffalo is offered when t h e k droi is put up and

articl es o f dres s an d orn am e n ts are hun g up arou n d t h e

fixture to re m ai n fo r a day o r t wo o r u n til afte r t h e buri al , .

The fi rs t part of the funera l dance (nduw k dh krang) After , .

t h e pl acin g o f t h e k dro i a d an ce arou nd t h e s am e t ak es

,

place as a kin d o f i ntroductio n t o t h e re gul ar d eath d an ce -

( k db a n g da m) a n d t h e,fun e r al e e re mo n ies out s id e t h e hou se .

 NERAL CEREMO NIES
FU . 20 1

T w o me n p ec i ally famili ar with all t h e d et ails c arry e ach

es

a s pe ar O ne is re prese n t ati ve of t h e livi n g (sa t nda w)

. ,

an d t h e oth e r o f t h e s pirits of t h e d e p art e d (k dts un ndaw) .

O rn ame n t s o f min i ature b as k e ts t ass e l s o f red wool o r ,

y ak s t ails s m all be ll s or coins are hu ng o n e ach of t h e

’
, ,

S p e ar s . Eve rythin g co nn ected with t h e s pe ar of wealth

(re pres en ti n g t h e livi ng) is c arefully attach ed and fi n i s h e d ,

while c are l e ss ness an d hurry m ark e ve ry de t ail re g ardin g

t h e oth e r s p e ar Wh en t h e d anci n g a ki nd of s truttin g and
.
,

pran cin g b egins t h e man who c arrie s t h e s pe ar of

, ,

wealth hold s it in t h e o rdinary w ay whil e t h e m an

, ,

with t h e othe r s pe ar c arri es it t h e wro ng e n d firs t ,

a nd thru s ts it in e ve ry dire ction as h e pr an ce s alon g .

H avin g fi n i s he d t h e pres cribe d rou n d s outs id e a p art of t h e ,

progr am is e n acte d i ns id e t h e hou se It illu s trates in a .

se ri es o f mimic acti n g t h e d eath was hin g o f t h e f ace , ,

an d oth e r p art s o f t h e fu ne r al c e re mo n i es as alre ady de s c rib~

ed . T h e t wo me n are t h e s ol e actors whil e i n s id e but ,

anyo n e c an joi n in t h e pran c e outs id e AS t h e d anc e .

be comes more an im ated th e y go through a l arge n umbe r

o f co n v olutio n s an d quick s t e p s s ome tim e s r ese mbli n g a
-
,

n e gro c ake w alk e xc e pt th at t h e t w o s pe ar s are ve ry much

-
,

in e vid e n ce and e ve ryon e is qui e t an d kee p s a s obe r fac e .

The gra ve (lap) T h e pl ac e in which to dig a gr ave is

.

as c e rtai ne d by divi n ation In o ld communiti es wh ere

.

an ces tr al graves h ave b e e n k e pt up an d a ki n d o f c e m e t e ry ,

h as b ecome t h e res ult it is cu s tom ary t o bury near the re

, ,

but thi s is no t t h e ordin ary w ay K achi n graves are .

s c att e re d all ov e r t h e j un gl e far o r n e ar from t h e vill ag e

, .

Wh e n t h e grave is to b e dug s ome o ne t ak es an e gg and ,

bl esses it es pe ci ally m e ntioning t h e n am e of t h e deceased

, .

The n a party proceed s to s ome pl ace wh ere it is thought t h e

d e p arted may wis h to be buri ed Th e e gg is thrown and if .

it breaks it is a S ign th at it is t h e prope r pl ace If it .

d oes no t break t h e firs t time repe ated e xpe rim e n ts are m ad e

in diffe re nt pl aces If n o e gg is u sed a lo n g lo w hill is
.
, ,

s el ec te d which in im agin atio n is fan ci e d to res e mbl e a

, ,
202 T HE KACH IN S .

hum an body T h e high e n d is called t h e h e ad t h e

.
,

lower p art t h e fee t T h e rollin g s id es are t h e h an d s

.
,

an y s m all protru s io n is d es ign at e d a t abl e an d a l e ve l ,

o r sm all d e cliv ity is n am ed a tray o r se rve r Th e .

gr ave as c e rt ai ned by t h e h e lp o f t h e e gg is always dug

s o th at t h e h e ad is tow ard t h e hou se I n t h e oth e r ki n d of
.

gr ave t h e im agin ary p art s of t h e body d e te rmi ne t h e

po s ition A fowl is kill ed and prese n te d to t h e d ece ase d
.

be fore t h e grave is dug ; this is afte rw ard s e aten by t h e

gr ave digge rs T h e cu s tom ary d epth of a grave is up t o
-
.

t h e s m all of a m an s b ack an d t h e e arth mu s t be c ar efully

’
,

pl aced as it all mu s t be s ho ve lle d b ack i nto t h e gr ave

, .

If th e re is e n ough for a s m all hill it is a good S ign ;

if th e re is b are ly e n ou gh to cove r t h e coffi n and p acks ,

s o th e re is n o hill it is a s ign th at th ere will be n o

‘

bl ess ings from t h e d ec e ased H e is in s ome w ay dis pl ease d

.

an d t ak es e ve rythi n g aw ay to t h e oth e r s id e .

Th e bu ria l ( mung h tu a i o r lap mdkoi ) T h e buri al as .

,

a rul e t akes pl ac e o n t h e fourth day but if di s t an t fri e n d s

, ,

o r r e l ati ves fi n d it impo ss ibl e to be pr ese n t it m ay b e

po s tpo n ed to t h e s ixth o r ei ghth day N o buri al c an t ake .

pl ace o n an odd day B efore t h e c o flin is ti e d down children

.
‘

an d r e l atives t ak e a l as t look at t h e d e p art e d O n t he .

lid are dr awn rud e fi gures o f e yes d es ign e d t o frighten ,

s m all childre n so th e y will s t ay aw ay from t h e fu n e r al .

Th e be li e f is th at t h e de ce ase d un willi n g to s e p ar ate from

,

all h is lo v e d o n e s may e n tic e s om e of t h e you n g and

,

i nn oce n t to follow him to t h e S pirit l an d In th at .

c ase th e y will s oon die Re turn in g from t h e gr ave t h e

.

mourners bre ak s m all twi gs or br an ch es from t h e s urrou nd

in g bu s h with which th e y bru s h aw ay an ythi n g th at
,

may cli n g to th e m from co n t act with d e ath mutt e ri n g a ,

praye r th at th e y may n e ve r h ave to go th at w ay agai n .

In s om e localities t h e coffi n is ope n e d at t h e gr ave t o see if

t h e corps e h as mo ve d t h e h e ad ; aft e r be i n g de cl ar ed
“
it ,

”
h as n o t moved t h e buri al t ak es pl ac e
,
Gu ns may be fire d .

as t h e fu n e r al process io n moves o n wh e n at t h e grave ,

 FU NERAL CEREMO NIES . 203

or re turn in g but thi s is a m atte r of l o cal cu s tom an d

,

in dividu al pl eas ure Thi s cl oses t h e firs t and t h e le as t

.

im p ortan t p art of t h e fu n er al ce re mon ies .

The secon d pa rt I n s om e c ase s t h e body is k ept abo ve

.

groun d for wee ks and mo nths pe ndin g t h e fin al and

more import an t ce re mo n ies T h e body di s po se d of t h e
.
,

s pirit mu s t aw ait t h e fin al i ns tructio ns If t h e body .

is thu s he ld it i s kept in t h e coffin as be fo re d es cribe d

, ,

o r e ls e
, wr appe d up in m ats or b amboo c as in gs is hu n g ,

in t h e ju n gl e It is n o t ofte n th at thi s h appe ns n owad ays ;

.

but in d ays go ne by it w as quite cu s tom ary e s pe ci ally ,

amo n g t h e we ll to do who could afford to go through

- -
,

wi th all t h e ce re mon i es at o n ce .

Th e dea th dance (k dbu ng da m)

-
,
From t h e tim e o f t h e .

buri al to t h e day o f t h e fi n al c e re mon i e s t h e d e ath d an ce is ,

-

d an ced n ightly in t h e hous e o f t h e d e cease d u n l e ss t h e ,

S pirit h as bee n put t o s l ee p aw aiti n g t h e fi n al ob s e qui es

,
.

T hree go n gs o f differ en t so u n d an d to n al powe r are u se d ,

an d t h e d an ci n g is in accord an c e with s trict rul es an d

re gul atio ns Th e cen tr al ide a is to afford ple as ure for

.

t h e d e p art e d an d to re mi n d him th at h e is ho n o re d an d
re m e mbe red T h e d an ce is an i n tric ate affair o f s t e ppi n g
.
,

pr an ci n g and s huffl i n g but e very mo ve m en t h as a meani n g

, .

As a rul e the r e are n o l e ss th an thirt y se ve n diffe re n t s t e p s -

,

mo ve m en ts and po s ture s re pres e n tin g e ve rything in d aily

,

life appreci ated by t h e d an cers T h e life th ey live the ir .

,

ple as ures s orrows an d mis fortu nes are all i ll us trated T he

, .

thou ght of d e ath is promi nen t ly b e fore the m but th e ir aim ,

an d purpos e is to dri ve a w ay t h e d ark s id e of t h e picture .

T h e firs t p art of t h e pe rform an ce ce n te rs arou n d t h e corp se .

T h e looki n g at t h e d ead t h e wa s hi n g s hroudi n g e t c are

, , , .
,

all go ne throu gh in im agi n atio n T h en th ey go through t h e

.

ordina ry duti es o f hous e work an d in p an t omime e nact ,

all t h e ph ases o f c l e ari n g a p addy fie ld pl an ti n g s owi n g -

, ,

and h arv es ti n g Th e plan tin g of bea n s and cotto n S pinn in g

.
,

an d w eavin g us ually wi nd up t h e mimic perform ance

, .

S ome of t h e s t e ps and post ures are r ath e r gr aceful s om e are ,

204 TH E KAC H INS .

s ugges tive o f t h e co arse r s id e o f th eir life At int e rval s .

a loud w e ird ye ll is r ai se d whil e t h e t h ree go n gs un c e as in gly

, ,

s e n d o ut th e ir low d ee p mourn ful to nes in to t h e s till nes s o f

, ,

t h e n ight It is es p eci ally t h e you ng pe opl e wh o join in t h e

.

d an ce but it is prop er for o ld and you n g men women and

, , ,

childre n to s we ll t h e n umb ers There are always two .

l e ade rs and all mu s t ch an ge s te p s pos ture s and pos itio ns

, ,

accordi ng to th e ir dir e ctio n Th e origi n o f t h e d an c e is

.

like every othe r cu s tom re fe rred b ack to ances tr al time s and ,

h as be e n e xpl ai n ed in t h e ch apte r o n mythology and

tradition s u nd e r t h e se ctio n O rigin of dea th
, .

P u tting the sp iri t to s leep ( ts u s h dyup ui) If t h e family .

is n o t fi n an ci ally abl e to p e rform t h e fi n al c e re mo n i es withi n

a fe w mo n th s afte r t h e d emis e o r if th e re are othe r,

co ns ide rati o n s why the re s hould b e d e l ay t h e s pirit is put ,

to S l ee p with t h e promis e th at wh en t h e time comes

,

h e will be c all e d an d be prope rly co n ducte d o n t h e ro ad

to t h e ance s tral re al m s It is always an e xpen s ive affair to
.

di s po se o f t h e s pirit an d a great d e al of prep aration

,

is n e ces s ary A n o ffe ri n g is m ad e in co nn e ctio n with t h e

.

cere mony o f putti ng t h e tsn to s l ee p and t h e s pirit is ,

ex hort ed t o r e m ai n qui e tly in t h e nu t pl ac e u n til e ve rythi n g -

is in readine ss fo r t h e fi n al ho n ors T h e d eath d anc e is .

-

s u s pe n d e d an d oth e r att en tio n s are w

, ithh e ld In t h e me an .

time t h e vill age pe opl e g ath e r wood and h elp in other

pre p arations fo r t h e culmi n ating e ve nt Whe n eve rythin g is .

re ady t h e s pirit is arou se d fri e nd s an d re l atives are c alled

,

by two youn g men c arryi n g s pe ars s acrifices are se t ,

as id e food an d dr i n k in abu n d an c e is pro v id ed and t h e mo s t

, ,

import an t p art o f t h e ob se quies t akes pl ace .

The h iding of the corps e (mung mdkoi) T h e actu al

, .

buri al may h ave t aken pl ace wee ks months o r e ve n ,

years be fore t h e se n di ng away o f t h e s pirit s till t h e fin al ac t ,

is ge ne rally call e d mung mdko i t h e hidi n g o f t h e corpse

, .

This is be c au se t h e buildin g o f t h e s t ru cture over t h e grave ,

an d t h e fi n al ho n ors arou n d t h e s am e tak e pl ace ju s t be fore

t h e S pirit i s se n t o n it s l as t journ e y Whil e t h e sp irit .

 F UNERAL C EREMO NIES . 205

h as be en dwelling at t h e nut pl ace it h as n o t actu ally

-
,

se p ar ate d itse lf from t h e body in which it u s e d t o live ; but

afte r hidin g t h e corp s e t h e s pirit t ake s it s d ep arture .

There are thu s t wo di s ti n ct cere mo n ies c all e d by t h e s am e

n am e an d e n act ed at t h e s am e tim e .

O n t h e morn in g o f t h e e ven tful day a hog is kill e d with a

blow from t h e b ack o f an ax Afte r t h e s acrifici al me al
.

is o ve r a s hort d an c e is d an ced outs id e t h e hou se an d ,

al l i n te re s te d proc ee d to t h e ju n gl e to cut timbe r for t h e

s tructure o ver t h e gr ave an d pre p are t h e cu s tom ary

,

obj e cts for orn ame nt ation T h e day followi n g a cow or

.

a buffalo is kill e d ,an d from n o w o n till t h e e n d o f t h e

cere moni es as m any c attl e as t h e family c an afford are

,

s l aughte re d . T h e more t h e be tte r both for t h e d e c eas e d

and t h e f amily ; t h e gr e at e r t h e s acrific e t h e gr e at e r t h e

bl e ss ing T h e timbe r be in g cut t h e gr ave which may b e

.
, ,

o ve rgrown with ju n gl e is cl e ared and t h e s tructure is

,

e re ct ed" Three k in d s o f gr aves are re cogn ized : t h e

be e hi ve S h ap e (h kinchyung lap) a S h ed without w all s
-
,

( jdruwp lap) a c airn o r a mo n um e n t al c ase men t o f cut

,

s to ne (n lu ng lap) ,u s u ally put up by Chi nes e workm en .

Chi efs cl aim t h e mo n opoly of t h e s e con d ki nd commo ne rs ,

h ave to be s atis fied with t h e firs t and o n ly e xce ptio n ally ,

w e althy pe opl e c an afford t h e third A rud e fi gure of a .

hum an be in g is put o n t h e top o f t h e s tructure an d orn a ,

m e n ts in v arious S h apes re pre s en ti n g bird s or be as ts or

hou se hold articl es are hu n g arou nd o n t all b amboo pos ts .

But th ere are n o s trict rul e s as to th es e thin gs and a great ,

d e al is l eft to i n dividu al t as te and fan cy T h e s tructure .

ove r t h e gr ave is u s u ally compl e ted o n t h e third day ,

an d t h e k droi is torn dow n an d t h e timbe r thu s obta i n e d

is u s e d wh e re n ee d e d Afte r t h e compl e tio n o f t h e hut

.

a d ee p ditch ( lap h ka) is dug arou n d t h e whol e

,
s ign ifyi n g ,

th at t h e inm ate from no w o n be lo n gs to t h e oth er s ide and

mus t n o t p ass o ve r to this I n c as e t h e d e p art e d h as di ed in
.

a fe ud o r bee n k ill e d be c au se o f s om e gri e v an ce t h e ditch

, ,

is l eft in compl e te until t h e l aw o f a lif e fo r a life h as

2 06 THE KACH IN S .

been s atis fied Form erly s om e o f these ditch es we re t en t o

.

fiftee n fee t d ee p an d h ad a circumfere n ce o f se ven ty five -

to a hu n dred fee t T h e h e ads and horn s o f twe nty thirty

.
,

o r more buffaloes wo ul d be hun g arou n d o n s acrifici al pol es ,

m aking k n own t h e gr e at we al t h an d hon or o f t h e d e p arte d .

But s uch e l aborate affairs are n o t po ss ible in th es e d ays

o f pove rty an d p ass i n g of t h e an ces tr al glory .

O n t h e fourth day as a rul e are e n ac t e d t h e fin al

, ,

cere mon ies arou nd t h e gr ave T h e fin al d an ce is pe rform ed

.

by two men and t h e g ate to t h e e n clo s ure is close d four

,

times Th e vi s itors again bre ak s m all br an che s from t h e

.

bru s h with which to brus h o ff wh ate ve r may cli n g to

th e m from t h e four d ays co nt act with t h e gr ave an d d e ath .

Th i s e nd s t h e cere mo n y o f di s po s i n g o f ( hidi ng) t h e

corp s e an d t h e proce s s ion re turn s to t h e vill age to prep ar e
,

for t h e fin al d e t ail s in and arou n d t h e house .

The fi na l ceremon ies a t the h ous e (s h dts im ai la m) H avin g

, .

re turn ed from t h e gr ave a bullock is kill e d an d a s acrifici al

,

m e al is pre p are d T h e re is a d an ce in fron t o f t h e hou se

.
,

whe n bran ch es are c arri ed and flouri s h ed T w o me n .

dre ss ed as clown s amu se t h e public of t e n with immodes t ,

d an ci ng an d in d e cen t s o n gs and ges tures at t h e sa me time ,

pre te n din g to cry an d mourn for t h e d ep arte d Th e y .

as k for all ki n d s of impo ss ibl e gift s an d pr es e n t s and afte r ,

s om e thi n g of s m all v alu e h as b ee n pres e n te d th e y are

drive n off a mid s t j ee rs and l aughte r It is n o w about .

s u n s e t an d t h e l as t d an c e in fro n t of t h e hou se t ak es pl ac e .

Th e s p e ars r eprese n ti n g t h e n o w an d t h e he re afte r are

r e move d O ffe ri ngs or prese n ts are m ad e to t h e pri es ts
. .

T h e fin al d e ath d an c e is e n acted
-
O nly e ight pe rs o ns .

p articip ate four o n e ach s id e guided by t h e t wo l e ad e rs

, , .

Th e hol es for t h e b amboo pol es of t h e k uroi are fill e d

in. A pri es t take s a l arge seed of t h e E ntada purs aetha
(s h dmyen) an d holdi n g it in a p air o f b amboo pi nc e rs ro as ts
,

it in a s low fire T h en h e cuts it in h alf an d t h e piece t hat

.

drops off be lo ngs to t h e d ece ase d H e is as ked to take and .

pl ant it If it grows h e may be pe rmitted to re turn to t h e

.
 FU NERAL CEREMO NIES . 207

form e r abod e othe rwise h e mus t re m ai n I n t h e s pirit world

,
-
.

This p art o f t h e ce re mo n y is c alled mdga mdrun t h e ,

se p arati n g of t h e d e ad an d t h e li vi n g .

The sending away of the spi ri t ( tsn s h dbawn da t ui) Now .

th at all t h e pre limi n aries h ave b ee n pe rformed an d t h e d ead ,

an d t h e livi n g h ave be e n se p ar ate d t h e mo s t import an t p art ,

o f all t akes pl ac e A pri es t te ars down t h e b amboo e levation

.

where t he s pirit h as b een abidi n g s in ce t h e day of se p ar ation

from t h e body T h e timbe r is c arri ed by a s m all p arty
.

tow ards t h e gr ave and is s catte re d alo n g t h e ro ad

,
.

Arrivi ng at t h e grave for t h e l as t time a fe w thin gs

be lo ngi n g to t h e d e p arte d are hun g up to b e re mo ve d
t h e followi n g morn i n g Th en a garm e n t (mdjip nba) is
.
,

th rown o n t h e top of t h e gr ave wh e n a m an picks it ,

up and throws it b ack to t h e firs t m an T hi s is rep eated .

four times and the n t h e p arty re turns Flour or as h es .

is s c atte re d alo n g t h e ro ad th at t h e s pirits of t h e li vi n g , ,

who out of lo ve or s ymp athy m ay follow t h e d e p art e d

o n h is journ e y to t h e s pirit l and may fi nd the ir w ay -
,

b ack Whil e thi s is goi n g o n outs id e t h e house a pri es t

.

( in: dnmsu) h as be e n l eading t h e s pirit o n to t h e an c es tral

,

a bod es H o ldi n g a S p e ar be fore him and s t e ppi ng o n a

.

s word h e h as e xhorte d t h e S pirit to l eave it s pl ac e ( njung)

, ,

a t t h e nut co m e r and follow t h e c e n tr al po s t up to t h e

-
,

hou se ridge an d th e n d e p art by t h e fro n t g abl e The n

-
, .

o ver gr ass brus h an d tr ees hill s an d moun tai ns brooks and

, , ,

ri ve rs t h e ro ad is S hown u n til fi n ally t h e white ri ver

,

(uhpruw h ka) is re ached which is t h e bou nd ary be twe e n t h e

,

n o w an d t h e h e re afte r T h e pri e s t co n duct s t h e s pirit

.

acro ss e xhorti n g it n o t to b e afr aid of t h e wild bo ar s o n

,

ea ch S id e but ch angi n g app e ar an c e and puttin g o n t h e

,

fore he ad o f a monkey p ass n ine cro ss ro ad s and at t h e te n th -

turn o ff t o t h e an ce s tr al re alms T his in s hort is t h e .

outline of t h e formul a it would t ake a whol e n ight to

r eh e arse and with this t h e S pirit as we ll as t h e corp se
,

are di s po se d o f un l es s t h e s pirit for s om e reas o n or oth e r

,

r eturns to it s form e r home In th at case the re is a n e w nut .

208 T HE KACH INS .

to honor an d fe ar and propiti ate with s acrifices H o w m any

, .

o f t h e god s and godd e ss es m e n tio ne d in hi s tory h av e h ad

the ir origi n S i mil ar t o th at o f t h e K achin nuts " We

read in this t h e hi s tory o f m any a religio n an d formof
wors hip .

Sprinkling of the h ous e of mou rning After t h e corp se h as.

been hid and t h e s pirit h as be e n sent away t h e mourn

, ,

ers , vi s itors hou se an d b elon gi n gs o f t h e d ece ase d are

,

S prin kl e d with w at e r T h e F at e o f t h e mourn e rs (s ins u

.

mdruw) is propiti ate d with a fowl T h e s pirits o f those

, .

wh o o ut o f lo ve o r s orrow h ave accomp an i e d t h e d e p arte d

t o t h e n e w hom e amo n g t h e s h ad e s are form ally re c alle d ,

by a r athe r touchin g formul a be i n g dire cte d to re turn ,

by t h e s am e ro ad t h e d e ce as ed followe d in d ep arti n g T hi s .

p art o f t h e cere mony (minlu ldlaw a i) is u s u all y followed by ,

t h e bl es s i n g of t h e dre ams (yup mung s h dmun ui) th at ,

fri e nd s an d re l atives may h ave reg ardin g t h e d ec ease d

an d t h e f un e r al .

The las t s ign T h e morn in g afte r t h e clo s e o f t h e c e re

.

mo nies s ome o f t h e f amily return to t h e gr ave an d if

,

e ve rythi n g re m ai n s as l e ft t h e e ve n i n g be for e it is a S ign

th at t h e d e p arted is s atis fi ed and h as re m ai ne d in s pirit l and -

.

But if an ythin g h as be e n touched or tracks of an im al s are ,

see n in t h e as h es or flour s c atte re d alo n g t h e ro ad t he ,

s pirit h as r e turn e d an d th e re is an oth e r nu t t o accou n t

for If all is s ati s factory t h e vi s itors p ass th e ir h and s o ve r

.
,

t h e h e ad s o f t h e offe ri n g s hu n g arou n d t h e gr ave s trippi n g ,

th e m of s uch bl ess i ngs and good fortu ne as t h e d ecease d h as

bee n pl ease d to bes tow and put th e m i n to im agi n ary b ags
,
.

Thi s be in g do ne th e y re turn hom e an d n o furth e r atte ntio n

,

is p aid t o t h e gr ave Th e s tructure o r mo n umen t will

.

in time d e c ay o r di s ap pe ar and t h e grave will be o v e rgrown

with j ungl e an d forgotte n I n a few years it may be a p art
.

o f a p addy fi eld -
.

Th e re ins ta tement of th e househ old nu ts (na t k dting ui) ,

.

T h e f amily nuts w h o w e re S u s pe nd e d wh en t h e ts u t o ok
it s pl ace at t h e nut altar are re in s ta te d an d if t h e s pirit h as
-
,
 a
B mb oo b ut o er a gra
v v e , . 208
 FU NERAL CEREMO NIES . 2 09

re turne d it t akes pl ace in t h e p anthe o n A gran d d an ce

it s .

(poi du k ulu t mdnuu) ce l e brat es t h e re turn of t h e form e r

'

divi n itie s in c as e t h e family c an b e ar t h e e xp ens e But c o n

, .

s ide ri n g t h e h e av y dr ai n o n th e ir r e s ourc e s in co n n e ctio n with

t h e n e c ess ary proc e e di n gs v e ry fe w c an b e ar thi s additio n al

,

burde n ; and t h e family gu ardi an s are compe ll e d to re turn

without thes e e xtr a hon ors S ome ki n d s of offe ri n gs are of
.

course pre s e n ted and thi n gs will go o n as be fore u ntil

,

t h e n e xt tim e gu n s an d drum s an d t h e three go n gs

ann ou n c e an oth e r S pirit o n i t s w ay to t h e an c e s tr al s h ad es .

D ea th by violence or acciden t (ldsu s i) Th e above is a .

d e s criptio n of t h e ce re mon i e s whe re e ve rythi n g is in t h e

re gul ar ord er But whe n t h e d e ce as ed h as p as s e d away by
.

viol e n ce or accide nt the re are diffe re nt rule s and re gul ation s

, .

“
S uch are n o t buri e d but cre m at e d ; an d t h e s oul is n o t
,

s en t to t h e an c es tr al r e alm but to t h e uppe r r egio ns to

, ,

a pl ac e h alf w ay b e twe e n earth an d h e ave n or to h e av en ,

its e lf All p e rs o ns kill e d in w ar or s uch as h ave b ee n kille d

.
,

by tigers lightn i n g or s n ake bite tho se who h ave b e e n

,
-
,

drowne d or m et d e ath by falli n g from a tree an d wome n who ,

h ave die d in child birth h ave a pl ace to th e ms e l ve s in wh at

-
,

t h e K achi n s c all h eaven A holid ay of o n e day is

“ ”
.

d ecl ared wh en anyon e in a commun ity meets s uch a

mi s fortu ne It is r e g ard e d as a s p e ci al vi s it atio n from
.

Pro v id e n ce prob ably for s om e p articul ar mi s t ak e or o ffe n c e

,
.

Whil e cre m atio n amon g K achin s in g e ne ral is pr actice d

on ly in t h e case s m e n tione d t h e s as an s in t h e H uko n g
"

v alle y burn ( ju) all the ir d ead Th e cus tom h as e vid ently
,
.

bee n i n troduce d from As s am and i n dic ate s H indu i nflu e nc e

,
.

T h e oth e r famili es in th at s e ctio n do n o t follow thi s cu stom

but bury in t h e u s u al w ay .

ale re
t d?
 CHAPT ER XV II .

THE FU T URE O F T H E KACH I NS .

The future of t h e hill tribes is bound up with t h e future o f

Burm a Wh at thi s wi ll be no o ne c an pre dict ; but th at t h e
.

Burm a to come will k n ow ve ry littl e o f t h e o ld Burm ans ,

an d will be lo n g to a ne w pe opl e n o w in t h e ad v an ce admits

o f no co n trove rs y T h e B urm an s o f t h e p as t h ave h ad

.

th e ir day they h ave done the ir work and are s lowly but
, ,

s ure ly p as s i n g aw ay Burm a is a m e lting p o t wh ere a ne w

.

pe opl e with a ne w d e s tiny is in t h e m aki ng T h e l arge .

i n flux from Chi n a and Indi a t o s ay n othin g o f t h e E urop e an

,

i nfluen ce is cre ati ng n e w co nditio ns We may re gre t

, .

th at an old ci v iliz atio n admirably ad apte d for t h e pe aceful

,

life o f a n aturally h appy and n o n aggr ess ive pe ople is -

,

p ass in g away but there is no way o f rec allin g t h e p as t

,

and t h e m arch o f e ve n ts is i n e vitabl e A s s oo n as an .

individu al o r a p e opl e f all be h in d in t h e Mar athon race

‘

of his tory t h e d e cree is written and c an ne ve r b e blotted

,

o ut. A dyi ng race like a dyi n g man may linger o n for

, ,

s om e tim e but t h e old tim e vigor an d s tre n gth c an n e ve r b e

,

res tored It does n o t m atte r if it is t h e A ss yri an Rom an o r

.
,

Burm an t h e law is t h e s ame for all

,
.

T h e b ackw ard r ac es o f Burm a feel t h e press ure o f

t h e mod e rn life an d s om e o f th e m es p e ci ally amo n g t h e
, ,

K arens are doin g th e ir b es t to adjus t the ms e lves to t h e

,

n ew ord e r o f thi n gs But thi s is an age of co ns olid atio n

.
,

an d t h e i n di vidu al will s oo n e r o r l ate r be lo s t in the

m ass S m all tribe s an d group s o f races c annot lo n g m ain
.

t ain the ir p articul ar ch ar acte ri s tics and pe culi arities Many .

o f t h e K ar e n s are fas t be comi n g Burman iz e d in t h e se nse ,

th at th ey use B urm es e as their e ve ryd ay l an gu age whil e in ,

o t h e r res pects the y are mo ulde d by wes te rn i nfluence .

E duc tio d t h n w l ife it bri ng s is r apid ly chan in

a n a n , e e ,
g g
 2 12 TH E KACH INS .

lowe r Burm a and it is o n ly a qu es tion o f time when t h e

,

s am e forc e s will b e fe lt in e ve ry p art of t h e pro v in c e .

Chi n a will t ake it s pl ace amon g t h e s tro n g n ation s of

t h e world an d h e r i n flu en ce o n Burm a which h as alw ay s
, ,

b ee n gre at will be s till more m arke d It is from thi s

,
.

s ourc e th at t h e K achi n s an d oth e r n orthe r n trib e s

, will ,

be mo s t l arge ly i n flu en c ed but th e re are tod ay s om e

,

mo ve m e nts o n h an d worthy of cons id e r ation .

R espec t for la w Th e K achi ns h ave n o w for a qu art e r of a

.

ce ntury fe lt t h e s tron g h and of Briti s h rul e and th ey are ,

ju s t be gi nn in g to realiz e th at t h e p as t will n o t re turn .

Th e y c an n o lon ge r acquire n e w te rritory by co n ques t ; th e y

c an n ot r aid rob or l e vy bl ackm ail o n t h e lowl and s ; th e y
,

mus t live in pe ace with all me n an d do ho n e s t work for

the ir li vin g Wh at this m e ans for a n aturally pre d atory
.

pe opl e is e as y to see T he y mu s t work h arde r th an e ve r

.

be fore an d s till h ave far l e ss th an they were u s e d to It .

c ann ot be d e n ie d th at they are much poore r th an in d ays

gone by an d th at life is to the m much more of a burd e n
, .

This is t h e h ard s chool in which the y h ave b ee n pl ace d A s .

a r ac e th e y h ave n o t b e e n abl e to adju s t th e m se l ves to

t h e n e w co n ditio n s ; mo s t of th e m h ave re fu se d to m ak e
an atte mpt hopi n g th at the re would b e s om e ch an ge in th e ir
,

favor an d s ome of the m are hop e l ess ly i n cap able of doi n g

,

it The y are prob ably s lightly o n t h e i n cre as e but n o

.
,

re li abl e figure s are av ail abl e T h e ce ns u s re port is in ade

.

qu ate an d t h e K achi ns will do all in th e ir powe r to withhold

,

i n form atio n Th ey do n o t u nd e rs t an d t h e n ature of t h e

.

c en s us alw ays b e i n g u n d e r t h e impre s s io n th at it is o n ly t h e

,

fore ru n ne r to i ncre ase d t ax ation But all th e s e thi n gs h ave

.

an e duc atio n al v alu e an d ,gr adu ally th e y will l e arn to

a ppre ci at e p e ace with h ard work an d forge t t h e e ase
,

which war and plu nd e r form e rly brou ght .

E duca tion S e ve ral hu n dre d K achi ns (prob ably by thi s

.
,

time th ere m ay be o ve r a thou s and) h ave for lo nge r ,

or s hort e r p e ri ods bee n in t h e K achi n s chool s T h e .

mi ss io n s chool s in Bh amo Myitkyi n a and N amhk am h ave

,
 TH E F UTURE OF THE KAC H INS . 2 13

e duc ated by far t h e l arge s t n umb e r an d tod ay h ave ,

u n d e r the ir care about four hu n dre d pupil s An oth e r .

hu n dre d may b e foun d in Go ve rn m e n t s chool s and Buddhis t

mo n as te ri e s Mos t of t h e pupil s in t h e mis s io n s chool s
.

b ecom e Chris ti ans an d tho s e who do n o t u n ite with a

,

Chris ti an church are always frie n dly to n ew id e as S til i

, .

t h e K achi n s h av e n o t b ee n as re c e ptiv e o r acc es s ibl e as for

i ns t an ce t h e K are ns O nly a comp ar ati ve ly s m all n umbe r
.

h ave acce pte d Chri s ti an ity an d s till fe we r h ave e mbraced ,

Buddhi s m T he y cli n g to the ir old religion be c au se it is

.

”
t h e cu s tom an d h as b ee n h an d e d dow n by th e ir for e
,

f ath e rs firmly b eli e vi n g th at wh ate ve r may b e it s d efe cts

,

it is t h e b es t for the m T h e i n con ve n ie n ce of a ch an ge .

with it s e ffe cts o n t h e trib al an d family re l atio n s to ge th e r ,

with a n atural co n s e rv ati s m are t h e gre ates t ob s tacle s in t h e ,

w ay . Afte r thirty five ye ars or more of mi ss ion Work

-

amo n g th e m t h e church e s coun t about four hundre d

,

commu n ic ants whil e t h e adhere n ts would be three tim es

,

th at n umb e r Ve ry fe w of t h e re ally l e adi n g familie s h ave

.

acc e pte d t h e n e w f aith It is mos tly t h e poor an d t h e .

n e e dy th at h av e com e n atur ally with a v i e w to improvi n g ,

th e ir e co n omic co n dition s whe n gi vi ng up t h eir o wn e x pe n ,

s i ve form of re ligio n .

Th e K a chi n l an gu age h avi n g b e e n re duc e d to writi n g ,

th e re is t h e be gi n n i n g of a lite rature an d t h e n umb e r able to ,

re ad and write is co ns t an tly o n t h e i n cre as e S o far all t h e .

books prin te d are with two e xceptions of a re ligious

, ,

n atur e an d for t h e a d v an c e of t h e Chri s ti an re ligio n an d

,

a Chri s ti an e duc atio n Mo s t lik ely t h e K achin lit e rature .

will ne ve r b e l arge Mos t of tho s e who le arn to re ad .

will al s o acquire Burme s e and thu s com e in co nt act with a ,

rich e r s tore of kn owl e d ge .

Th e M ilita ry Police S e ve r al hu n dre d you n g me n from

.

all p arts of K achi n l an d h av e se rv e d in t h e K achi n Milit ary

Polic e an d thu s com e in co n t act with a s id e o f lif e u nk n own

,

to th e m be fore T his too h as b een and is a civilizing

.
, ,

ag e ncy T h e milit ary dis cipli ne t h e n e c e s s ity of doi n g

. ,
2 14 THE KACHINS .

thin gs accordin g to rul es and ord e rs are thin gs n e w to t h e

,

l awl es s hill men and mu s t h ave a whol es om e e ffe ct Many

-
,
.

o f the m h ave al s o in t h e b arr acks l e ar n e d to r e ad t h e

writte n K achi n an d acquire d oth er u se f ul kn owl edge

,
.

Thu s whe n returni n g to the ir mou nt ain home s t h e y c arry '

with th em n e w ide as of t h e world a n d it s w ay s T h at .

m any o f the m h ave al s o l e arned thi n gs far from d es irabl e is

n o doubt tru e ; b ut t h e good an d t h e b ad ofte n go e s h an d in

h and .

These i nfluen ces are doi n g th e ir work qui e tly but s ure ly
, .

A K achi n p e opl e is growi n g up in w ays u nkn own to the ir

fore fath e rs Th ey will id e ntify th e m se l ves with t h e l arge r
.

l ife o f u ppe r Burm a As the y acce pt more of a Chri s ti an

.

e duc atio n an d l e ave th e ir old s u pe rs titio n s be hi n d th e m t h e

, ,

n atur al advanc e will be towar ds a Chri s ti an ci vi liz atio n .

 S UPPL E ME NT .

I . T ERMS O F RE LAT I O NSH IP .

1 . For ome of th es e te rm s in different

t he us e of s

p e rs o ns an d n umbers s ee th e K achin Gramm ar 2 7 ,

.

2 . T e rm s of r e l ations hip h ave a wid e r application th an

with us T hu s a m an s broth ers wo uld c all his father ln law
.
’
- -

by t h e s am e app e ll ation as h e h im s e lf .

Aji n i Pate rn al an ce s tors

, .

A woi n i M ate rn al an ces tors , .

D ama (1 ) A hus b and s re l ative s ; (2 ) all trib al f amilies

,
’

with whi ch i nte rm arri age is allow e d vie we d from t h e m al e ,

s id e ; (3 ) s om e tim e s u se d as a re s p e ctful t erm for a s o n ln -

law .

Di , A p at rn al uncl olde r th n t h f t he r
e e, a e a .

D im, A p t rn al un cl you ge r th n t h f the r

a e e n a e a .

D oi ,
A p at rn al u cl e you ger th n t h e dim
e n n a .

Dwi he A m atern al gre t gr andmother

,
a -
, a mother s ’

f ath e r s mothe r’
.

Gu , (1) A
f ath e r ln law a hu s b an d s fath er ; (2) a - -
,
’

brothe r in law a hus b an d s e ld e r broth e r ; (3) a p ate rn al

- -
,
’

aun t s (moi a) hu s b an d or broth e rs ; (4) a broth e r in law

’
- -
, ,

u s ed by a wife s youn ge r s is te r ; (5) an u ncl e when ad ’

dres s e d by th e wife s broth e r s childre n ’ ’

.

Gaida A widow ; al s o c alle d gaidu jun

, .

fun A s is te r (g e ne rally thought o f as a y ou nge r s i s t er)

, ,

of a man .

]i S ee a]: m a gr an df ath e r se e i i h ka i
, , .

ji dwi A m ate rn al gr an dfath e r

, .

]i h e A p a te r
,
n a l gr e a t gr an dfather -
.

ji k e d wi A m a t e rn a l great gran df ath e r

,
-
.

]i hk a i A p a te rn a l gr
,
a ndfathe r .

ji w oi A n c es tor,
s v i e we d coll ective ly , .

Hkau , ( 1) Cous in s , a p aternal aun t s m ale c h il dre n wh en ’

2 16 TH E KACH INS .

a ddres s i ng t h e moth e r s n eph e w and vice v ers a ; (2 ) a ’

broth e r ln law a wife s broth e r u s e d o n both s id es ; (3) a

- -
,
’

polite te rm b etwe en you n g m en of e qu al age an d s t andi n g .

H ka i dwi S am e as wo i dwi but more re s p e ctful

, , .

H kri (1 ) Cou s in s a p ate rn al au n t s (moi a ) fe m ale child

’
, ,

re n ; (2) a p at e rn a l a u n t s hu s b an d s S i s te rs ; (3) t h e childr e n

’ ’

of a s is t e r e ith e r a n e ph e w or n i e ce (4) a s o n in law ; (5 )

,
- -

a r es p e ctful comp e ll atio n u se d by a m an wh e n addre ss i n g a

wom en of qI al age an d s t an di n g no t b e i ng a re l ative

'

, .

M a A child , .

M oi ( 1) A p ate rn al au n t a f ath e r s S i s t e r wh e th e r
, ,
’

you n ge r or old e r ; (2) a moth e r in law a hu s b and s moth e r - -

,
’
.

M ddu jun A wife , .

M ddu wa A hus b an d , .

M uyu ( 1) A wife s re l atives ; (2 ) all trib al f amili e s with

’
,

which i n te rm arri ag e is allowe d and from which wi ves m ay ,

b e t aken .

M dyu damu R e l atio ns in ge n e r al ; s ee p arts ,

.

Na ( 1 ) A n e ld e r s i s te r ; ( 2 ) a hu s b an d s e ld er broth e r s
’ ’
,

wife a S i s te r in law ; ( 3 ) cou s ins an u n cl e s or aun t s fe m al e ’ ’

“

- -
, ,

childre n old e r th an t h e s p eake r ; (4) a res p e ctful an d fri e ndly

comp e ll atio n addres s e d to a f e m al e acqu ai nt an ce old e r th an
t h e s p eak e r .

N am ( )
1 A s
,
i s t e r in l a w a wif e s you n g e r s i s t e r ;
-
(2 ) -
,
’

a S i s t e r in law u s e d by a hu sb an d s e ld e r broth e r ; (3) a ’

- -
,

d aughte r ln law ; (4) t h e childre n of a brothe r in law ; (5) a

- - - -

n e ph e w or n i e c e a wife s broth e r s children

‘
’ ’
.
,

( 1 ) A moth e r in law a wife s moth e r ; al s o t h e

’
Ni ,
- -
,

moth er I n l aw s s is te rs ( 2 ) a wife s broth e r s w ife a s i s te r

- -
’
,
’ ’
,

i n l aw
-
.

( 1) A
hu s b an d s s i s te r ; ( 2 ) a wife l ’
N ing ,
s s t e r in l aw ,
i -
a

wh e n address e d by t h e hu s b an d s au n ts ; ( 3 ) a comp e ll atio n ’

b e twee n women of e qu al age an d s tandin g address ed in t h e

w ay of affe ctio n or frie n d s hip .

Nu A mothe r
,
.

N un ( )
1 A you
,
n ge r broth e r or s i s t e r ; ( )
2 cou s i n s a n ,

u n cl e s or a u
’
n t s childr e n you n g e r th a n t h e s p e ak
’
e r ; ( 3 ) a
 T ERMS OF RELATIO NS H IP . 21 7

broth e r in la w a wife s you n ge r S i s te r s hu s b and ; ( 4 ) a

- -
,
’ ’

s i s t e r in law a m an s you n ge r broth e r s wife

’ ’
- -
.
,

N do i ( )
1 A ,
moth e r s you n g e r S i s t e r a n a u n t ; ( 2 ) a
’

f ath e r s you n ge r brothe r s wife

’ ’
.

N gy i-
A b as t ard, .

Hp u ( 1 ) A n e l de r broth e r ; ( 2 ) cou s i n s an u n cl e s or
’

, ,

au n t s m al e childre n Old e r th an t h e s pe ak e r ; ( 3) a broth e r

’

ln law wom an s e ld e r s i s te r s hu s b an d
’ ’
-
.
,

Rat ( 1 ) A s is te r ln law a wife s e ld e r s is te r addre s s e d

’
- -
, , ,

by h e r hu s b an d or v ic e ve rs a ( 2 ) an e ld e r broth e r s wife .
’

( 3 ) a hu s b an d s you n ge r broth er
’
.

S hu A child a s o n or a d au ghte r ( 2 ) a n ephe w or

, , , .

n i e c e a wife s you n g e r s i s te r s childr e n

’ ’
, .

S h ingk ra A widowe r , .

S hu ( 1 ) A gran dchild ; (2) a s i s t er s children s (kh ri u i a)

’ ’
,

hu s b an d s an d children ; ( 3 ) an affe ctio n ate t erm u s e d by O ld

pe ople to childre n .

S h u mas h i De s ce n d an ts of t h e third ge n e ration

'

, .

S h u m ds h a D es cen d ants of t h e fourth ge n eratio n

, .

S h u m ds h i,
S h u m as hu
G e n e ratio n afte r ge n eratio n .

S h dda ng s h u, A s on .

S h dyi s h a A d ught
, a e r .

Ta ng ( 1 ) A moth r
ld er S is te r a m ate rn al au nt ; (2) a ’
,
e s e ,

fath e r s e lde r brothe r s wife

’ ’
.

( 1 ) A n u n cl e a moth er s broth e r wh e the r youn ge r

’
Ts a , ,

or Old e r ; ( 2 ) a f athe r in la w t h e wife s fath e r ( 3 ) a re s pe ct - -

,
’

ful comp ell atio n u s e d by a wom an wh e n s p e aki n g to a man

o f e qu al a ge an d s t an di n g .

Wu A f athe r ,
.

Wu di ( 1 ) A n u n cl e a f ath e r s e ld e r broth e r ; ( 2 ) a
, ,
’

moth e r s e ld e r s i s te r s ( Tu ng a ) hu s b an d ; ( 3 ) a re s p e ctful
’ ’

de s ign atio n wh e n addre s s i n g a n e ld e rly m an .

Wa doi ( 1 ) A n u n cl e a f ath e r s you n ge r broth e r ; ( 2 ) a

, ,
‘ ’

moth e r s you n ge r s is te r s ( N doi a ) hu s b an d

’ ’
.

Woi S e e , a wo i n i .

.
Woi dwi , A m aternal gr andmoth er ; s ee hka i dwi .
2 18 THE KACHINS .

Woi ke A p ate rn al great grandmoth e r

,
-
.

Woi he dwi A m ate rn al gre at gran dmothe r

,
-

Wo i hka i A p ate rn al grandmoth er

, .

$ 9
13 ?
9
 II . F AM ILY NAM E S .
( C o mp C h ap I )
. . .

T h e re b ee n poin ted out in o ur firs t ch apte r no

are , as h as ,

s ubdi vi s io ns to t h e f amili es of t h e chi e fs But thi s do es no t

.

me an th at th e re are n o d es ce n d an ts amon g t h e com

mo ners from t h e rulin g f amili es N aturally th e re h as
.

alw ays bee n a dow n w ard t e n d en cy from t h e chi e f f amili es .

T h e s uccess io n h as be e n p e rp e tu at e d through t h e you n ge s t

s o n an d h is broth e rs h ad to fi nd a pl ac e in t h e commu n ity
,

t h e b es t th e y could or e l s e by co n qu e s t e s t abli s h th e ir
,

authority in n e w dire ctio n s T ho se u n abl e to do S O s oo n

.

foun d th e m se l ve s o n a leve l with commo ne rs an d afte r t wo

or thre e g en e r atio n s the y lo s t t h e Old f amily n am e and took

o n a n ew For e x ampl e t h e D am au family w as forme rly

.

c all e d S ah k ung and th e y c am e from a bran ch o f t h e

,

Marip fam ily ; t h e D as hi f amily com e dire ctly from t h e ,

L ah t aws H un dred s of f amili es if th e y go b ack far e n ou gh

.
, ,

can tr ace th e ir pe digr ee to a f amily o f C hi e ft a i ns but to ,

day th ey carry t h e n ame o f commo ne rs and are r e g arde d

N am es O f loc ali ti e s o r as w e would s ay circl es o r

,

di s tricts h ave Ofte n s ugge s te d t h e n ame for a n ew family ;

,

but in m an y in s t an ces t h e local d es ign atio n h as n othi n g

t o do wi t h f amily r e l atio n s T h e l arg e Lahp ai f amily for
.

e x ampl e rul e t h e whol e o f t h e A ts i cou n try t h e G auri hill s

, , ,

t h e H p un ggan an d G ara commu n iti e s an d t h e Mo n gs i

“
( Mo nggyi ) v alle y It is i n correct to S p e ak o f a G auri
.

Lahp ai as though t h e word G auri applie d to th e Lahp ai

”
,

o nly T h e N angz ing o r Mal an g f amili es of commo ne rs are

.

jus t as much G auri s as t h e Lahp ai f amily o f chie fs In this

c ase t h e whol e circl e h as app are ntly t ak en it s n ame fro man
.

in flu e n ti al f amily of commo ne rs T h e G auri family is n o w

.

s m all but was form e rl y in t h e l ead T h e n am e Ats i is t o

.

day give n a l arge cl an rul e d by Lahp ai chi e fs

, O ri ginally .
220 THE KACH INS .

it may h ave b een t h e n ame of a s i n gl e f amily or of s om e

loc ality .

T h e s am e f amily m ay b e div id ed i n to a n umb e r O f s m all e r

di vi s io n s T hu s t h e H p au family ( app are n tly s pru n g from
.

t h e L ah t a ws ) h as at l e as t s e ve n t e en s ubdi v i s io n s or
,

bran ches .

T h e s am e f amily m ay c arry diffe ren t n am e s in di ffe r en t

se ctio n s of t h e cou n try T hu s t h e L ab an g f amily ( d e s c e u
.

d an ts of t h e Nhk ums are c all e d in H k ahku l an d D uts an

, ,

an d in t h e H uko n g v all e y S as an .

We do n o t i n te n d to give an e xh au s tive lis t of f amily

n am e s . It would b e O f n o pr actic al valu e S om e f amili es .

are n early e xti n ct ; n e w o n es are co n s t an tly growi n g up ,

a n d n e w n am es m ay b e appli e d to o n e or more br an ch es O f

an old li n e age Wh at m ay b e a n ick n am e tod ay d es cripti ve

.

O f s om e loc ality e ve n t or p e rs o n al p e c uli arity

, will afte r ,

a fe w y e ars b e r e co gn iz e d as a f ami ly n am e T hu s a br an ch .

of t h e S ahk u n g f amily c ame to b e c all e d D am au b e c au s e a ,

c e rt ai n O ld man pl ace d ( da ) a n e w alt ar to t h e mau n u t

( Ats i for mu ) at t h e g abl e of h is hou se a thin g n o o n e h ad ,

e ve r do n e b e for e All th at w e re gard as e s se n tial is

.
,

( 1 ) t h e n am e s of t h e rulin g f amilie s ; ( 2 ) s om e of t h e
loc al n am es d e s ign atin g th e ir di s tricts an d ( 3 ) t h e n ames of ,

t h e l eadi n g f amili e s a mo n g th e ir s ubj e c t s Commone rs who .

trace th e ir li ne age to o n e or t h e oth e r of t h e rulin g

f amilie s will b e i n dicated by pl acin g t h e anc e s tral n am e
in p are n th e s es .

I Th e fi ve ruli n g f amili e s
.

M arip t tuw t , pa i N h ku m M dran , , ,

.

II Som e O f t h e n ames i n dic ati n g t e rritori al divi s io n s

.

( 1 ) M ump
‘

K a ns i, S in li S ingdu ng N ingt un Tingrun

, , , .

(2 ) t ta w
N ingt ap S dna , Tingra,
,
Wa lu M ong ya
,
-
.

(3 ) L ahp '

ai

A ts i
,
Gau ri , G dra ,
M ongs i ,
H pu nggan . H tuma,
 FA M IL Y NAMES . 22 1

(4 N H ku m
-

M ong Ba w Wa tau S ds un , , .

(5 M dra n
L a ik a, L dn u .

III . L ea di n g famili e s amo n g t h e commo ne rs

A ura ( Ga uri )
, C hyun hpn ,

Ba ma ( N hk u m) D dba ng ( M aru ) D un ,

B el la D uma ng , D a ujz ,

B dlu ,
D as h i, ( L a h taw) D a ma ,

C hyumn u t , d uu,

Gumtung ,

Gauri ,

Gawin (M a rip ) ,

G uru ,

ja ngma ,

K a mba u ,
M dbwi ,

H p a uju m ,

M dlu , ( L ah taw) H pa ujung ,

H pa uku n ,

M dn a m , H pa u h hun ,

M ara n ,

M a ra w
"

M uk ta ,

H kangda ,
M ds h a n ,

M dweh hu ,

H k a h ta ng . M dwi h kuw ,

d n a, (A ts t ) M dwe hpu ,

Myet s h i ,

La mui ,
Myit ta ng (M as ip) ,

L aw ng, N a ngz ing ,

L u kn a, N ingdup ,

L u mya ng , (A tsi N inggu , (N hku m)

L uwh kum (t ,
taw) N inggy i,
L au ng ,
N inglam ,

L dbung , (N h kum) N ingla w ,

L uby a,
222 THE KACHINS .

d hyung , N ingt uug, (M dran)

L dkung , Ts inkra ng
,

t kum, (t pai)
t kung ,

LL ama (N hkum)
'

L am’

ung,

L dma u , Pa la , Ya wngdeng , (N h kum)

L dna ,
Padma, (N hkum) L ingh tung
,

L ds i ,
 T O PI CAL I ND EX .

Abd u c tio n 182 hrouding e tc

S
A id t
, ,

cc e n s, 68 12 7 195 C o n sangui nity

Ad lt r
,

u e y, 66 C o un try
C o urts h i p
,

ri l t r
Ag c u u e , 72
t r r ip
,

A nc e s o w o s h , 150 C re atio n ,

tr l h
A nc e s a o m e, 15 C ross b o w
tr l pirit
-
,

A n ces a s s, 1 57 C urs ing

t Of d t
,

Ann o u nce m e n e a h, 197 C us to ms

pp i dd
,

A e as ng o ffe n e nuts , 162

hi
Ass am, K ac ns in, 12 D anc es ,
At i
s , 30, 33 D anc ng fl i oor
Att p t di l
,

em s to f t
s c o se t h e u ure, 13 1 De a : th
uri
Aug es , 138 b y ac c e n , id t
o
in c nfi ne me n t
B ac kw ard rac es by vio le nce
,

d
, ,

B ags an c e ,
B as ke t making
,

, rigin o f
o ,

Bawmu ng, De sertion

Bl ac k s miths
,

, Di al ec ts ,

Bloo dmo n e y, Divin e r ,

Bravery Divin ati o n

Brid e b y b am boo
, ,

pric e o f by l o ng l e af
,

, , 1 37
te s ting h er mind by ric e an d oth e r ways 137, 138
visiting at home
, ,

99
Brid al p arty
,

D re ss 45
B uddh is m
, ,

, mo ng me n
a , 46
Burma ,
amo ng wome n , 47
K ac h i n s in Dre ams 139
Future o f d
, ,

Dre a o f nu ts, 151

ki
,

Burma and M aru , Dr n ng,i 43, 56

B urn ing ,
r
D o wn ng, i
Buri al , Dumsa,

C al e n d ar ,
Ea u ak e
rth q ,

C h arm s ,

C he wi ng ,

t o b b ac o ,
pi m
o u
C hi l dbirt h
,

C hi l dr t pl
,

en a ay
F
,

i
C h na K ac i n s in, h mil y
a
Of l
,

l i
C ass fi c a o n an gu age s ti
“ n ames ,

nu ts ,
F am il ies l arge
F
,

t
a e s,
F auna ,
2 24 TO PICAL INDEX .

P AG E
F p rigin O f
.

m o tiv e o we r in re l igi o n 1 50
e ar, o
perso n al habits
, ,

F e m al e n ame s 1 75
re s e rv ed
, ,

Fe s tiv al s
reve nge ful
, ,

harve s t , ,

s o wi n g te rrito ry
Fe uds territori al dis tributi o n
, ,

Fire tribe s
, ,

di d
,

h ow sc o ve e r K aro i
id e ntal fire
, ,

ac c ,

F i s h i ng ,

Fl o ra L aw ,
Fl o o d re sp e c t fo r
, ’

Fo o d L i f e afte r th is
, ,

F orm o f gove rn m e nt
, ,

Lo an
L o s t bo o k
, ,

F un eral c ere mo n ie s
firs t p art
, ,

se c o n d p art
,

,
M agic ,
1 47
fi n al c e re mo n ie s M al e s 1 75
Of
, ,

n am es ,
1 75
G am e s , M arri age ,
1 79
r
G o v e n me n t c ere mo n y 18 6
dl k p are nts arranging detail s
,

Go o uc 183
pre liminarie s
, ,

Guns , ,
1 83
r
G a mm a , r M ats ,
80
r
G av e s M an au 93
p O f di
, ,

r
G ou s l t
a e c s, M aru ,
30
M e as ure s 102
lp d
,

He in n e ss , ill M e ic in e 104
d
,

H o me , M e iu m ,
132
H ones y t M in i n g 75
pit lit
, ,

Hos a y, 54 M o th e rh oo d ,
1 71
H ouse 41 M o ne y 104
b il d i
, ,

u n g, 43 M oon 12 0
Of m
,

o u n ng, r i 195 208 M oral s 89

ld
, ,

H o u se h o na s, t 42 , 1 5 1, 1 1 7, 208 M u s ic ,
93
H u n ng ti , 76 Mus ic al ins trume n ts , 93

Ill e gitimate c h il dre n N am e s

I d e pe nd en c f
, ,

n e, e m a e, l
I n fantic id e m al e
tal fe ast
, ,

I n h rit nc e
e a Na
N atural phe n o me n a
, ,

I nh u matio n , ,

N ats ,

J aiw a al tars fo r
primitive
, ,

J e al o u s y
p l e ading dial e c t w o rs h i p o f
, ,

J ingh aw
N um bers
, , ,

K ac h i ns
bj t gh t by r
,

i ll iterate , 97 O e c s so u e l igi ous

migratio n s 20 rm i
ce e o n es , 160
mil itary po l ic e O ff ri g
,

1 12 e n s, 157
familie s
,

13 Om e n s, 138
O pi m
,

n ame s , 18 u 74
rder o f sacrific ial service
,

18 O , 196
 TO PICAL INDEX . 225

d
O r ea s l k bit
S na e
re ligio usd an c e
e,
-

pi d r
,

ii
O r g n of S e s
pirit
,

r ts
,

O n am e n S ( ts u),
r ip
,

wo s h ,
P r t lh m
a en a o e, l t ig
as S n o f,
P h y i g my
s o no S pri kl i g
n
Ph y iq
n
St k d
, ,

s u e, oc a es,
H p ngl m
u u S pr m B
u e e i
Pi t f ll
e ng,
S w rd
,

-
a s, o s,
P l t d m di i
an s an e c ne ,
P wd r
o e ,

Pr y r f ri h
a e s or c es,
P t
re se n s ,
Pri th d
es oo
Pr p rty
,

o e Univers e ,
P piti ti f t
,

ro a on o nu s ,
Pr p l i m rri g
o o sa n a a e,

Purifi c atio n
Pu t ting t h e s pirit t o s l ee p
,

W arding o ff d anger
W arfare
,

Re fi ne me nts
Re l atio n s h ip W ater h ow fo und
, ,

W e ap o n s
, , ,

Re l igio n , ,

Re ligio us Offi c ers ,

Re tic e n c e W e igh ts
Witc h c raft
, ,

Re ve nge ,
-
,

Ric e Witc h ats -

H
Riddl e s Worship
, ,

, ,

an c e s to rs
s pirits
,

i
S acr fi c es ,
S u pre me B eing
,

S ac ri fi c i al se v i c e, r
di
S e n ng aw ay th e s pirit Wo me n
,

i ld W ork o f wo me n
, ,

S h e s, ,

i l
S gn angu age.
l vr
S a e y, Yo u ng p pl eo e,
ki
S mo ng o ac c o , t b a mus eme nts
ki
S mo ng um Opi ,
,