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gable channel not exceeding nine feet in the deepest part: the 

 water is clear, and the pebbly-bottom perceptible. Ahyane-damah 

 contains both a Shan-Burman and Kakhyen population, but that 

 portion of the hamlet inhabited by the former is stockaded, and sepa- 

 rated from the latter by a narrow gully or ravine. This amalgama- 

 tion was brought about, by the Shan-Burmans seeking the protec- 

 tion of the Kakhyens, for which they pay an annual tax. I was 

 fortunate in arriving here a few hours after the death of a Kakhyen 

 woman, and witnessed the peculiar customs these people have of 

 dealing with their corpse. At first, I was regarded an intruder, 

 and angry words arose, accompanied by a threat of murder — all the 

 male community having drawn their swords. Order was soon 

 restored, however, by blending the suaviter in modo in due propor- 

 tion with the fortiter in re ; and after the distribution of a few 

 trifling presents, and a little display of legerdemain, I was 

 acknowledged an object of reverence and fear, and had it all pretty 

 well my own way. Just before leaving, my power of witchcraft was 

 put to a severe test by my being asked to restore the woman to life ; 

 however, I soon disengaged myself from the entanglement by 

 explaining that it would not be to their benefit that I should interfere 

 with the ruling of the Atropos of their faith ; fortunately, the excuse 

 was accepted, and I maintained my reputation as a great nat / I 

 was then conducted to the ground selected for the last resting-place 

 of the poor woman, and begged to express an opinion as to the 

 propitiousness of the site ; I pronounced it favourable in all respects ! 

 239. Immediately the soul takes flight, the corpse is laid out 

 straight with the head to the west, and lashed round with a white 

 bandage from the feet to the waist, the arms are also straightened 

 out on either side in the case of men and married women, but with 

 unmarried girls (though they may be mothers) they rest crossed on 

 the bosom with a hand on either breast. The body is dressed in a 

 new suit of clothes, but all ornaments are removed, and it is covered 

 from head to foot with a new blue and white striped cloth. During 

 the operation of laying out, which is always performed by the sex 

 of the corpse, all evil-spirits are supposed to be expelled the house 

 by a deafening beating of gongs, the discharge of all guns available, 

 and other unearthly noises produced by the inmates. Revelry now 

 commences, neighbouring friends are invited,* and feasting and 

 drinking is kept up from two to ten days, according to the position 

 of the relatives of the deceased. For two days the corpse is open to 



* The mode of invitation among these people is peculiar. The cooked flesh of a sacri- 

 ficed buffaloe is made into small packets in plantain leaves, and circulated among those whose 

 company is requested ; the appointed time for assembling being regulated by the number of 

 cane bands round each packet. 



