1866.] Social Customs of the Karens. 15 



Engagement. 



When a young man wishes to take a girl for a wife, the first persons 

 to be consulted are her parents. If they make no objections, he em- 

 ploys a go-between to transact the business for him. 



The go-between takes a fowl and gives it to an Elder who consults 

 its bones, and if the response is unfavorable, the match is broken off 

 and no further proceedings taken. 



When the fowl's bones are read as approving the marriage, the 

 go-between goes to the parents of the girl, when, in some sections, the 

 following form of dialogue takes place : 



Go-between. — " Now I will creep up thy stairs, I will tread on the 

 steps of thy ladder. Thou plantest up large house posts, thou flattenest 

 out wide bamboo planks. Thou callest thyself the master of the 

 house, a good man. When the sun rises, it shines upon thee ; when the 

 moon rises, it shines upon thee. Thy head is as large as a still pot, thy 

 tongue as long as the gigantic bean pod. How wilt thou reply ? The 

 children lift their eyes on each other. They lift their hearts on 

 each other's heart. Wilt thou approve? " 



Girl's Guardian. — " Man is the horse's tooth ; the elephant's tusk. 

 Woman is a tree, a bamboo. We are the woman, the female. We 

 cannot reach distant waters, nor arrive at far off lands. We dare not 

 seize those who seize us, we dare not strike back again. The man can 

 reach waters, and arrive at distant lands. Can he take upon himself 

 the charge of a house and a field ? " 



Go-between. — " Fear not, be not anxious, for the house and the field. 

 Mother dying, occupy mother's chamber ; father dying, occupy father's 

 hall. By day, there is one sun ; by night, there is one torch. Fear 

 not, be anxious for nothing." 



GirVs Guardian. — " If thy word is true to thyself ; if thy language is 

 faithful to thyself ; if thy word is one, thy foot-print one — Let not the 

 tree depart from its shadow, let not man leave his place— very good. 

 Thou art a hunting dog, thou scentest the covert ; thou trackest the 

 game. Art thou satisfied? " 



Go-between. — " I am a hunting dog, and in scenting the hiding 

 place, and tracking the game, I have got to thee." 



GirVs Guardian. — " Thou art a hunting dog. What ornaments hast 

 thou brought ? Let me take a look at them." 



