between tlie Southern Part of Bengal and Ava. 25 



ed, and boiled, when it is fit for use. The grains are given 

 to hogs, and make them very fat. 



On certain occasions, the old people of the Moroosas direct 

 sacrifices to be offered to a male deity, named Sing-nam ; and 

 the same is done by those who apprehend a bad crop, or are 

 in danger from sickness. The ceremony is exactly similar to 

 that performed by the Joomeas. The Moroosas know no 

 other god, and are not yet far enough advanced to have fram- 

 ed for him an extensive circle of attributes. They burn the 

 dead ; and usually keep the body three days before the cere- 

 mony is performed. During this time they feast, and make 

 a great noise with drums. If the deceased has been a person 

 of note, they open the belly, and put in some drugs, by which 

 means they can preserve the body for nine days, and thus 

 protract the time for feasting. So far as I could learn, 

 they have no belief in a future state. In their oaths 

 they invoke Sing-nam, being held in fear of the temporal 

 punishments which he may inflict. Their marriages are not 

 sanctioned by religious ceremonies. A lover, who wishes 

 to marry, makes a present to the girl's parents of some knives, 

 bills, swords, or other iron-work, or, if a very rich man, of a 

 cow. If the offer is accepted, the mother delivers up the 

 girl, who is conducted home with dancing and feasting, and 

 without any other ceremony she is considered as married ; 

 and one man, if he is able, takes several wives, but this seldom 

 happens. They have slaves similar to those of the Joomeas. 



The Moroosas defend themselves with wooden shields rude- 

 ly varnished, and fight with short spears, armed at both ends, 

 (the 'iyyog aptpiyvov of Homer.) Although all subject and tri- 

 butary to the Joomeas, their villages have frequent wars, one 

 with another. The chiefs of the villages (Ruasah) settle all 

 their disputes, nor does Kaungla Pru seem to interfere farther 

 than to exact his tribute. When a Moroosa dies, his proper- 

 ty goes to his father, who supports his widow and children ; 

 but, if the father is dead, the property is divided equally 

 among the children, the widow also receiving a share. The 

 property is of course all personal ; for every man can culti- 

 vate as much land as he pleases ; nor is any value placed on a 

 hut that is renewed every year. 



I had no opportunity of seeing any of the other tribe, in- 



