


















204 Religion &c. among the Karens. [No. 4, 
use the ghost to kill any one with whom he is angry. In the day 
time, it is a skull, or a bit of a one; but in the night, it is a man. 
None raise ghosts but wicked men and murderers.” 
Spirits of those who died by violence. 
Another class of ghosts, with a distinctive name, are those who 
have died violent deaths; ‘“‘ who have been shot, died by the sword, 
died by falls or drowning ; have been killed by elephants or devoured 
by tigers.’ The Las of these people do not go to Hades, but remain 
on earth preying on the Las of men. Hence they are propitiated with 
offerings, to induce them to free the Las they may have seized. To 
the previous class of ghosts no offerings are made. 
Nearly related to the preceding are the ghosts of wicked men who 
have been unjust rulers, or who have suffered death at the hands of 
justice for their crimes. They are regarded as taking the forms of 
birds and beasts; and when persons dream of elephants, horses, dogs, 
vultures, Burmans, or Burmese priests, they are said to see these 
ghosts. Unaccountable sounds and sights in the jungles are also attri- 
buted to them. 
Varied offerings are made to these last classes of ghosts, of which 
the following is a specimen :— 
After food has been set out for an oblation, the sick is sprinkled 
with powdered charcoal, and the following prayer is made :— 
“‘ Here is property, receive the property, Talaing ghost, Burman 
ghost, horse ghost, elephant ghost, wild dog ghost, felis ghost, wood- 
pecker ghost, you call re re, ro ro at the foot of the paddy mortar, by 
the pile of chaff, at the brook, at the place of drawing water. This 
person going to the bank, going to draw water, going to the new field, 
going to the old field, you have speared him, you have shot him, you 
have struck him, you have beat him, you have switched him, you have 
whipped him, you have beset him. Pluck out the head of your arrow, 
pluck out the blade of your spear, pot up the wound, heal the gash, 
Let him be cool as water; let him sleep and be comfortable.” 
Guosts’ Doa. 
The wood-pecker is said to be the ghosts’ dog, and employed to 
hunt up game for them. 
