238 Astronomy among the Karens. [No. 4, 



the months corresponding to June and July are designated numeri- 

 cally " the seventh," and " the eighth" months, which must have 

 originated from a system that madeJDeceniber the first month ; as our 

 September and October must have been named, when the year wag 

 made to commence in March. 



The names of many of the months show that they were given when 

 the Karens had the same habits that they have now. Thus January 

 is " the searching month," from the habit of going about in search of 

 a suitable locality to clear a field. And February is " the hewing 

 month," because in this month the trees are cut down. Other names 

 show that the seasons were the same when and where the names were 

 given as they are now. Thus April is " the seed month," because in 

 this month the seed is sown; and August is "the month of gladness," 

 because the corn is then in the ear ; like the month of Abib among 

 the Hebrews ; but that corresponded to April, indicating a different 

 climate from the Karen. May is "the Crinum" or holy month, be- 

 cause the Crinums, popularly called lilies, are then in flower ; while 

 December is denominated " the month of the shades," because in this 

 month the Karens make their annual offerings to the shades of the 

 dead. 



The Red Karen names are usually coincident, but a few of the 

 months have different names. July is not with them " the eighth 

 month," though June is the seventh ; and August is not " the month 

 of gladness," but is named from a feast that is made this month, and 

 which is peculiar to themselves. 



A correspondent writes : " In the month of Ai-du, the Red Karens 

 kill hogs, and fowls, and oxen all at once, and make a feast in which 

 the whole village eat and drink together. They beat drums, and fire 

 off muskets, and have sham fights, firing at each other with nothing 

 but powder in their guns. Accidents often happen, and houses are 

 frequently set on fire. The feast is kept up for three days, and during 

 their feasting the people send food and drink to their friends and 

 relatives in other villages. The origin of the feast is not known." 



