00 Notes on the Karens. [No. 11, new series. 



the forest are called " Toung-Ya" and in their selection and prepa- 

 ration the following customs are observed. In or about the month 

 of January a site for a " Toung-Ya" is proposed, the neighbour- 

 hood is then surveyed and specimens of the soil are brought home. 

 The particular spot to be cut down is then determined by an appeal 

 to divination with fowl's bones ; this is styled " Kyah-Yo-To" — 

 our readers will recollect that the Karen word Sgau means a fowl ; 

 it is their sacred bird. Hence it is appealed to. 



The writer wishes here to point out that the words made use of 

 in this Narrative regarding the Karens are Burmese and not Karen 

 words. Those who have been in Burmah will readily recognise 

 their meaning, and to the general reader the distinction would be 

 immaterial. With this explanation we proceed to describe this 

 singular ceremony. 



The thigh or wing bones of a fowl are taken ; on inspecting them 

 closely, near one extremity a small hole will be seen, the name 

 and function of which we are not sufficiently acquainted with com- 

 parative anatomy to explain. A peg is put into this aperture — the 

 ends of the bones are now smoothed away, and it is agreed on be- 

 forehand that the right or left bone is to win — they have hitherto 

 been kept separate. They are now delivered to the Conjuror ; the 

 latter then places the two bones side by side and holds them lon- 

 gitudinally in his right hand betwixt his thumb and two forefingers, 

 if on comparison, the peg of the bone determined upon is higher 

 than the peg of the other, the divination is propitious, if lower, the 

 reverse, and the plan under discussion is at once abandoned. 



This appeal to the Fowl's bones is the mainspring of all Karen 

 action, whether ordinary or extraordinary, whether it be to select 

 the site of a village or to marry a wife, to make a journey or go to 

 battle, nothing can be done without consulting the bones. After 

 the spot of ground has thus been selected, the forest is felled and 

 towards the close of the hot season, it is set on fire ; what is left 

 unburnt after the first conflagration is collected and again set fire 

 to, until the whole is consumed. 



It is incumbent on every Karen of whatever age or degree to fell 

 at least one tree or sapling in the Toung-Ya or village clearing. 

 After the ground has been well cleared, and the monsoon com- 



