44 G. E. Fryer— On tlie Khy 'en g people of Sandoway, Aralcan. [Xo. 1, 



Pork is regarded the choicest food, and when the husband brings his 

 wife into her new home, he provides that food for her and her family, while 

 he and his relations eat fowls. At funeral repasts the relatives of the 

 deceased eat pork, and the guests have fowl provided for them. These 

 points of etiquette are scrupulously observed, and breaches of them subject 

 the offender to fine. 



Laws. — The average number of houses in a Khyeng village is fourteen, 

 and in each of these little communities there is a head called Tayi or Nan- 

 dayi. The office passes from father to any son he considers best qualified 

 for it ; in default of such a successor, the office may be held by the father's 

 brothers ; but it never passes out of the family ; when extinct, the village 

 has to join another community. The Nandayi presides at all festivals, 

 settles disputes, and acts as a priest in conjunction with the elders of the 

 village. There is another person, however, who ranks higher than the 

 individual just named, he is the Dek mo tayi, i. e. land-proprietor's tayi. 

 Tradition says these men formerly received grants of land from the kings of 

 Arakan, and were invested with supreme authority over all offenders within 

 the limits of their respective grants ; they received a share in the produce 

 of the soil, and enjoyed the taxes levied upon all tabooed persons. Though 

 no longer enjoying these rights and privileges, thej are held in much 

 respect. Marriage is a contract dissoluble at the will of either party : no 

 dowry is given. On the death of the parents, two-thirds of the property 

 pass to the eldest son, the remainder is divided among the other sons ; 

 women are deemed incapable of holding or transmitting property. Adop- 

 tion is considered proper, even if there be children by marriage. If a hus- 

 band take an adulterer in the act, he claims a gong and buffalo from him ; 

 he may also chastise his wife, but she is not divorced. Nor will a Khyeng 

 divorce his wife if she is barren ; those that can afford it, sometimes under 

 such circumstances, take a second wife. When a dispute has been settled, 

 the reconciliation is effected in the following manner : — the parties and 

 their witnesses assemble before the elders, and a cup of water is placed 

 before them into which a spear, dagger, or celt, has been dipped, the dis- 

 putants each take a sip of the water and agree to pay a fine if they continue 

 the quarrel. Trial by water ordeal is practised ; the person who keeps his 

 head longest under water is adjudged innocent. The principal parties may 

 either perform the ordeal themselves or hire persons to do so. 



Religious Mites and Ceremonies. — The religion of the Khyengs confines 

 itself almost exclusively to the propitiation of spirits by offerings and sacri- 

 fices. Their prayers consist of lengthy invocations of protection for them- 

 selves and property, and propitiatory prayers to ward off sickness or other 

 calamity. The elders of the communities act as priests, and direct and 

 conduct all festivals and acts of worship. On these occasions, hogs, bulla- 



