tlTEftATURE OF THE BURM'AS. 2qi 



J. Women carrying on their heads pillows made of 

 fluffed mats, fome of them very fine. Thefe alfo 

 were an offering to the Rahans. 



8. An offering of mats and fmall carpets, which 

 ferve the Rahans for beds. Thefe alfo were car- 

 ried on women's heads. 



9. Yellow cloth for the drefs of the Rahans^ put up 

 in rolls ornamented with flowers, and carried in 

 the fame manner. 



10. The candidates, each carried by four men on a 

 bamboo ftage. They were richly dreffed in velvet 

 and gold lace, with many golden ornaments^ and 

 their heads were covered with tinfel and gum flowers. 



11. A cart, drawn by two buffaloes, adorned with 

 flags, flowers, and the like : and containing danc- 

 ing girls, and a band of mufic. 



12. The mothers and female relations of the young 

 men. 



13. Several officers of government with their atten- 

 dants and badges of honour : but not in high drefs. 

 Among them was the Akoonwun, or colleftor of 

 the land-tax of the province, an Arvienian Chrijlian* 



The whole was very gaudy, and mufl have cofl a 

 great deal of money. The women were all well 

 dreffed in filk and muflin. Many of them wore very 

 fine muflin, and had much gold and filver in their 

 ornaments. All of them had good fandals covered 

 with fcarlet cloth. Their deportment, although lively, 

 was modeft, and graceful. In many other procefiions 

 the candidates were mounted on horfeback. 



After having thus for forae days enjoyed the fplen- 

 dour and amufements of the world, the young Rahans 

 mufl bid adue to the pleafures of the fenfes : they are 

 conducted to the aflembly of the Rahans to be ordain- 

 ed ; are deprived of all their ornaments, and of their 

 hair, and affuming the yellow hahit, leave behind, 

 their parents and the world. 



U 2 It 



