May 1861.] 



Notes on the Karens. 



55 



people, — the Dau-bya inhabiting the hills in and to the northward 

 of the Toung-oo district ; the Sgau, residing in the Martaban 

 Province, and the " Pghdfr" occupying the hilly country south 

 of the Sal ween river. In appearance there is a strong family like- 

 ness between these three tribes, indicative of a common origin ; 

 but, strange to say, the dialects exhibit most marked differences. 



A very singular feature in the Karen language is the possession 

 of two letters which have very nearly the same power as the two. 

 Arabic gutturals the Khai and the Ghain. The neighbouring 

 nations have no such sound. We do not pretend to build any hy- 

 pothesis upon this fact, but in itself it is curious and worthy of re- 

 mark. 



The Yoon-tha-lin Karens belong to the Sgau family. The 

 word Sgau in Karen language means a fowl; and the tradition 

 connected with this bird is, that a copy of their sacred writings 

 was once mislaid or lost and brought to light by the scratching 

 of a fowl in the dust. 



For the last two centuries the history of the Yoon-tha-lin Ka- 

 rens presents nothing very remarkable. During the period that 

 the Taleing Kings reigned in Pegu, the country was more prosper- 

 ous and much more densely populated than it is now ; but when 

 the Burmese conquered the country, their deadly shadow, like 

 that of the fabled Upas tree, destroyed everything — cities, po- 

 pulation, wealth and commerce, alike vanished ; and the Yoon- 

 tha-lin became to all intents and purposes a howling wilderness. 

 Now and then, the Yodyah Shans or the Burmese would make 

 a foray into the country, for the purpose of exacting tribute or of 

 capturing slaves ; but with these exceptions the Karens lived 

 quietly and undisturbed in their mountain fastnesses. 



During this time however arose a species of prophet amongst 

 them, one of whom in our own times has given the Government 

 no small amount of trouble. I allude to men styling themselves 



Note. — * The sound G H is the same as that of the Arabic letter 

 ghain. 



