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on leather. They have no priests, but each village elects its meetway 

 or soothsayer, who is supposed to be gifted with superhuman 

 power, and in the confidence of the ndts. On occasions when matters 

 of importance are referred to him for final decision, he retires 

 towards dusk, to the corner of the house set apart to the ndts, and 

 begins a solemn wail, which increases towards midnight ; he 

 then shows symptoms of madness, throwing himself into all sorts 

 of contortions ; at this stage, the ndts are supposed to communicate 

 their rulings, and, after some little consolation from the surround- 

 ing inmates, he reveals the secret, which generally agrees with the 

 wishes of the people. 



249. The information gained here, regarding the manners and 

 customs of this tribe, corresponds with that gathered at Hokah, 

 and noted in my diary of the 20th current. This is very satisfac- 

 tory. They spoke of having been at one time, subjects of the Burmese 

 Government, but now glory in their freedom, and declare their 

 right to levy black-mail on all who pass through their country. 

 This, however, is but partially correct, and only applicable to those 

 tribes whose homes are in the far distant mountains ; those 

 near Bhamo still continue to pay tribute, though it can hardly be 

 said that they are under the control of the Burmese authorities. 

 They have no systematic form of government of their own, and 

 only acknowledge the authorities noted in my diary of yesterday. 

 The Homa and Tsumbiva are supported by the people, but the 

 Pomine is dependent on the latter. The two former claim a por- 

 tion of every animal slaughtered, a measure of every brew of liquor, 

 and a basket of paddy per head per annum from every male adult 

 in their holding. They also cultivate on their own account, claim- 

 ing gratis from their subjects a day's labour for clearing, one for 

 preparing and sowing the land, and one for reaping, besides which 

 they utilize their slaves and menials as agriculturists. In con- 

 sideration of these privileges, both are expected to entertain guests 

 and assist those in distress. Acts of oppression on the part of the 

 Chiefs are not tolerated and lead to open rebelion, generally result- 

 ing in the murder of the unpopular ruler. 



250. Those women who had joined us in our cups, were if any- 

 thing, more curious than the men regarding our habits; but their 

 inquisitiveness took a different turn, and they wanted to be told 

 something about our women, their costume, the use we put them 

 to, and the number of wives we were allowed, substantive and 

 officiating. Other suggestively naughty enquiries followed, which 

 brought forth peals of laughter, especially from the young girls 

 who had now gathered round me, and were playfully familiar in 



