



















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 hand; and then the elder of the family 
takes the thread and ties his wrist. Hach 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. Go 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 
his 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. 
CosmoLoey. 
“There are seven heavens and seven earths.’’ This expression 
occurs frequently 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. j 
