196 THE EVOLUTION OF 



their quarrels and in the redemption of captives, the 

 indemnification always takes the shape of a kyee-zee or 

 more, with a few buffaloes or pigs as make-weights.' To 

 such an extent does the passion for the possession of 

 these instruments predominate among the more secluded 

 tribes, that it is said that instances are by no means rare 

 of their having bartered their children and relations for 

 them. The possession of kyee-zees is what constitutes 

 a rich Karen. No one is considered rich without them, 

 whatever may be his other possessions. Every one who 

 has money turns it into kyee-zees, and a village that has 

 many of them is the envy of other villages, and is often 

 the cause of wars to obtain their possession. The Karen 

 drums then are of varying size, are used in making large 

 payments, and represent wealth. If they are put to 

 domestic use, as for feasts and what not, they must be 

 classed as currency : if they are to be looked upon 

 merely as tokens of a certain value, and kept only for 

 making large payments when due or only as representa- 

 tive of wealth, then they are money. They are, in fact, 

 just on the border-line between currency and money. 

 They do not stand on the borders alone, for the use 

 and value of the great war-shields of Guadalcanar in the 

 South Pacific do precisely the same. 



Also, Pyrard de Laval in 1601 tells us of Angola: 

 'As for the small money of Angola, it consists only of 

 little shells, somewhat like those of the Maldives (i. e. 

 cowries), and little pieces of cloth made of a certain herb. 

 These pieces are an ell in length, more or less, according 

 to the price. And when they go to market to buy their 

 goods they carry no other money/ Now, if these ells 

 of cloth were for personal wear, they were thus used for 

 currency: if they were, as I understand, never worn, 

 they were made for money. Even to these there is an 



