





















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 made December the first month ; as our 
September and October must have been named, when the year was 
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 im 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.’ 
