1835.] Journal of a Tour through the Island of Rambree. 1.99 



III. — Journal of a Tour through the Island of Rambree, (Rdmri ; Sans. 

 RdmdvatiJ on the Arracan Coast. By Lieut. William Foley. 

 [Continued from page 95.] 

 The town of Rambree*, with its meandering creek, fine wooden 

 bridges, and the handsome temples that surround it, is perhaps the 

 prettiest spot upon the island ; and from no place is it seen to such 

 advantage as from the hill of Koyandoung . The creek is not very- 

 broad, but it contains sufficient water to admit of the approach of 

 large boats to the market place — a matter of some importance in a coun- 

 try where land carriage is not to be obtained ; or if procurable, would 

 scarcely be available, from the absence of good roads, bridges, and 

 ferries, throughout the island. The town is divided into the following 

 compartments; viz. Oung-tshiet, Shuwe-dong, Wedt-chu, Tath-tweng, 

 and Taing-kuman. The former commemorates the landing of the first 

 Burmah chieftain at the ghaut of Rambree, when the island was first 

 annexed to the dominions of Ava. In Shuwe-dong, a large pole, 

 covered at the top with gold, was erected ; and in its immediate 

 vicinity, stood a house in which the conjurorsf used to dance, invoking 

 the aid of their favourite idol on the occasion of any calamity. Wedt~ 

 chu was so called from the great assemblage of pigs in that quarter. 

 Tath-tweng was the site of the Burmah stockade, and now the lo- 

 cality of the Government jail, formed chiefly from the materials of 

 that stockade. Taing-kuman is the place occupied by the Kuman-thsi, 

 a class that shall be more particularly noticed hereafter. It is gene- 



* Also called " Tding," or " Yaing-Ruah" by the Mughs ; the provinces 

 Rambree, Maong, and Thandowey having suffered considerably from the incursions 

 of the Burmahs and Thaliens during the year 791 M. S. theRajd Choumoeng, 

 on his restoration to the throne of Rukkhein-preh (Arracan), adopted such means 

 as were likely to restore them to their former flourishing condition ; and for that 

 purpose, deputed his minister Anunda'-Suya'h to proceed to those provinces, 

 taking with him such Burmah or Thalien agriculturists and artisans as had been 

 able to quit the country. Anunda'-Suya'h, in the first place, visited Rambree 

 Island, forming colonies, and giving names to the several new settlements, accord- 

 ing to the various ominous appearances that presented themselves. It is said, 

 that during the night his vessel lay at anchor in the Rambree Creek, a voice was 

 heard to exclaim, 



" Th&in-lo .'" " Thain-lo ."' Stop! Stop! a favourable omen, inducing a 

 further stay at the place, and the foundation of a town that received the name of 

 44 T&ing" or " Tuing-Ruak." 



•f* A set of vagabonds, receiving little countenance from the people at large. A 

 man, attired in woman's apparel, connects himself with another of the profes- 

 sion, whom he calls his husband, and obtains for this husband a woman as his 

 second wife, with whom both cohabit ; every respectable native looks upon this 

 class with disgust and horror. 



