XXI ETHNOLOGY OF BORNEO 237 



same group of peoples, though less closely akin to 

 the Karens than the Chins and the Kakhyens. 



It seems highly probable that all these, together 

 with the Kayans, are surviving branches of a people 

 which occupied a large area of south-eastern Asia, 

 more especially the basin of the Irrawadi, for a 

 considerable period before the first of the success- 

 ive invasions which have given rise to the existing 

 Burmese and Shan nations. The physical characters 

 of all of them are consistent with the view taken 

 above, namely, that they represent the original 

 Indonesian population of which the Klemantans of 

 Borneo are the pure type, modified by later infusions 

 of Mongol blood. In all these occur individuals 

 who are described as being of almost purely Caucasic 

 type and very light in colour. 



Three principal tribesof Karens are distinguished, 

 the Sgan, Pwo, and Bwe. Of these the Bwe are 

 also known as the Hill-Karens and seem to have 

 preserved their own culture more completely than 

 the others, though the Sgan are said to be the 

 purest in blood, the lightest in colour, and more dis- 

 tinctive in type than any other of the tribes of south- 

 eastern Asia (4). Of the Hill-Karens, Mason said, 

 *' Some would iDe pronounced European. Indeed, if 

 not exposed to the sun, some of them would be as 

 fair, I think, as many of the inhabitants of northern 

 Europe." Yet the commoner type of Karen is said 

 to show distinctly Mongoloid facial characters. Of 

 those Karens who have been least affected by their 

 more cultured neighbours, we are told that they live 

 in small communities, each of which is governed by a 

 patriarch who is at once high priest and judge, and 

 who punishes chiefly by the infliction of fines. He 

 raises no regular tax, but receives contributions in 

 kind towards the expenses of entertainment (3). 

 Several communities join together, sometimes under 

 a leading chief, in order to meet a common foe (3). 



