234 Religion &c. among the Karens. [No. 4, 



and the pork, and the fowls, and the threads, and the bamboo tubes to 

 suck up the drink and the spirits ; and all are placed together. 



The master of ceremonies then goes and puts two bamboo tubes 

 into the left hand of one, and the gall bladder of the hog and the 

 head of the fowl into his right band ; and then the elder of the family- 

 takes the thread and ties his wrist. Each one in succession takes the 

 articles in his or her hands mentioned above, and the elder ties every 

 one's wrist, at the same time praying with each : " Mo-khe, the hand- 

 tier, the good-to-do, we offer thee food and drink, spirits well prepared, 

 a great hog. Defend us ; when we go to and fro, look after us. If we 

 fall, raise us up. When we go or return, when we walk on a branch 

 or a beam, when the branches or creepers break down, when we 

 go among the Burmese or other tribes, when we climb trees or descend 

 into the waters, when we go up into the house, or return to the paddy 

 field, may no accident befal us ! Stretch forth thy hand, and help 

 us ; put forth thy foot and assist us. Gro before us, follow behind us. 

 Deliver us from demons, deliver us from ghosts." 



After this the person whose wrist is tied, changes the things in 

 hi- hands from right to left and left to right. Then each one tastes 

 the spirits ; after which each one tastes the fowl ; and when this is 

 done, an elder is called upon to pray, who prays thus : 



• Mo-khe of mountain Kie-ku, Mo-khe of the seven heavens, Mo-khe 

 of the seven earths, assemble together, even the blind, the deaf and 

 the lame ; and eat and drink the valuables." 



A libation of spirits is then poured out ; and after this the drama 

 closes with spirits being served out for all to drink. 



ASTRONOMY. 



Cosmology. ■ 



" There are seven heavens and seven earths." This expression 

 occurs frecpiently in Karen stories, but the people have no definite 

 ideas on the subject. The sun is supposed to go round the earth. In 

 the west are two massive strata of rocks which are continually opening 

 and shutting. Between these strata the sun descends at sunset, but 

 how the upper stratum is supported, no one can describe. 



