ON THE ROUTE FROM ASSAM TO AVA. 



127 



path leading to the Amber mines through the village of a chief called 

 Tharapown Hhoung. The population on the above route of 75 miles, 

 would at the rate of 7 men to one house, and 12 houses, to each vil- 

 lage, amount only to 840, but I think that 1,100 or 1,200 would be 

 a fairer estimate. From Kuttack-bhoom, as I have mentioned, a great 

 portion of the valley is distinctly seen, and nothing meets the eye but 

 jungle, broken here and there by the waters of the Namtunai : not a 

 clearing is even visible ; instead of a population of 30,000, as has 

 been stated I should imagine that the whole valley of Hookhoom 

 does not contain more than 12,000. 



The above population consists almost entirely of Singphos and 

 their Assamese slaves, and these last form a considerable portion. 

 This was particularly evident at Wulla-khoon, where they certainly 

 out-numbered their masters. 



The Singphos of Hookhoong resemble exactly those located in 

 Assam : they are however less given to opium eating. They are of 

 the same indolent habits, and content themselves with cultivating 

 sufficient grain to keep themselves from starving. The women wear 

 the Thumein, or Burmese dress, a costume which is entirely unknown 

 among the Singphos of Assam. The most superior men I saw 

 belonged to the Luppai tribe, from the east of the Irrawaddi ; they 

 had come to Meinkhoon for the purpose of procuring amber. In 

 manners and dress they resembled the Shan -Chinese, they were 

 provided with firelocks, in the use of which they were certainly 

 adroit. The usual weapons of the Hookhoong Singphos are dhas 

 and spears. I saw very few muskets. 



The behaviour of these people was throughout civil, and perhaps 

 friendly. Their hatred of the Burmese is excessive, the visits of the 

 armed forces of this nation being most harassing and oppressive. 

 They are sub-divided into tribes, among whom there is but little 

 unanimity. The Dupha Gam is much disliked, as he is considered 

 the cause of the visit of the Burmese. His power has been much 

 exaggerated ; he is not capable of bringing 500 men into the field. 

 So unpopular was he, that it was reported to Mr. Bayfield, that he 

 was to be cut off immediately the Burmese force had left the valley. 



In giving the foregoing low estimate of the population of the valley, 

 I believe I have taken into consideration every circumstance of im- 

 portance. The occurrence of several old burial places on the route, 

 some of which are of considerable extent, might be considered by 

 some as a proof, that the population has undergone a decrease ; but 



