1808.] Dwellings, works of art, laws, Sfc. of the Karens. 165 



coming originally from China with a large invading force, and when 

 the Chinese were driven back, the Red Karens were left behind. It 

 was about the period referred to above that Burmese history states 

 Ava was beseiged by a large Chinese force ; which is another coincidence 

 adapted to make the truth of the sixteen generations plausible. 



When the Red Karens came to their present locality, they found 

 the country inhabited by Shans, whom they drove out. The first 

 chief that came to the country was Than-krie, or Than-htsgen. 



The descendants of Than-krie reigned for eight generations, but 

 there is no record of their names. In the eighth generation, the 

 people were joined by the descendants of a brother of Than-krie, under 

 Kha-ma Kha-thya, and they usurped the government. 



The genealogy of Kha-ma is traced thus : 



" Kha-ma Kha-thya begot Ric-men Sa-su, and 

 Rie-men Sa-su begot Phan-bya." 



This Phan-bya neither eat rice nor drank spirits. He lived on 

 yams and fruit; and assumed the character of one possessed of 

 miraculous powers. He said he could see into the invisible world, was 

 skilled in dreams, understood deep things, and could prophecy things 

 to come. The people conferred upon him the title of San-bwa. 



" Phan-bya begot Tho-ray," and Thoray eat rice, so the title 

 of San-bwa was not conferred upon him. 



" Tho-ray begot Bu-phan, and Phan-bya." 

 Like their grandfather, Phan-bya, neither of these brethren eat rice ; 

 and both were made San-bwas, ruling apparently in conjunction! 

 Bu-phan died without issue ; but 

 " Phan-bya begot Bu-ray." 

 In the days of Bu-ray there was no San-bwa again, for he eat and 

 drank like ordinary people. 

 " Bu-ray begot Ya-yan." 

 Ya-yan did not eat rice, so he was made San-bwa. 



" Ya-yan begot Rie-ray." 

 There was no San-bwa again in the days of Rie-ray. 



" Rie-ray begot Phan-bya." 

 Phan-bya eat no rice, so became a San-bwa ; but he did not live long. 

 The record says he died young, and that he was contemporary with 



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