116 
THE GAMES AND FESTIVALS OF RAMBREE. 
them form ‘‘ basin-like cavities” which 
give room for the cultivation of rice. The 
soil of the hills is argillaceous, and their 
surface being thus composed of a stratum 
of clay, the deposit at their base being form- 
ed of the same, affords opportunities for- 
cultivation contrasting strongly with that in 
the immediate vicinity of the cantonment. 
Leaving Khyak Phyoo our traveller pro- 
ceeds by the sea-shore towards the villages of 
Membrann and Kyaprath ; in the neighbour- 
hood of the former he finds some old Pe- 
troleum wells, which are no longer worked. 
He then reaches Kyakprath, where the hills 
have been partially cleared and small 
patches of open ground are devoted to the 
growth of cotton. While at this last place 
our author had an opportunity of witnessing 
some of the games to which the inhabitants 
are much addicted. These are boxing, 
wrestling, and the kulome, described as 
something similar to our “ battledore and 
shuttlecock only that the ball which is hol- 
low and made of cane,” is impelled by the 
foot instead of the hand. In addition to 
these the Mughs have other peculiar festi- 
vals of which the principal are, 
SANGRAIN-KYADEH.* 
This occurs in the month of Tagoo-la, 
(April, at the commencement of the new year, 
and during this season, the games of Reh-Ioun~ 
dee, and LSh-prinedee are held. The former 
very much resembles what is’observed in our 
own country on New-year’s -clay. The women 
throw w’ater over the men, who generally re- 
turn the compliment ; no distinction is paid 
to rank. The water is thrown indiscriminate- 
ly, and with an unsparing hand, upon high 
and low, and all seem determined to enjoy a 
season that permits of such unlimited free- 
dom. The Leh-prinedee is the boat-race, 
which is held at the same time : a number of 
boats assemble in a broad creek, and start for 
a certain place, each striving to outstrip the 
other. The boats are impelled with oars, 
and those that are light and well manned, 
have a surprising speed upon the water. The 
shouts of the row^ers, the strains of wild 
music, and the gay appearance of the boats 
decked out at the stem with branches of plan- 
* The whole of these festivals owe their 
source to some fabulous narrative, preserved 
in the sacred writings or other books, and 
religiously believed by an ignorant and super- 
stitious people. I regret that I am, from my 
very imperfect acquaintance with the language 
of this country, debarred an opportunity of 
transcribing any part of these. 
tain trees and garlands of flowers, give a most ! 
pleasing and striking efi’ect to the scene. Re- i 
turned to the place from w^hence they started,- | 
a donation in money, or a piece of silk, is i 
generally presented to the winner by the mas- i 
ter of the ceremonies. Nautches and enter-' 
tainments succeed the boat race, and the 
festivities are closed wdth offerings to the 
priests and the Rautoo^, who is on this oc- 
casion carefully washed and adorned. 
2. OOBHO-CHOUNDE.— This festival 
is held in the months Wajho, (July,) Wo.goung, 
(August,) Tantha-leng, (September,) and 
Sadyne-Kyot, (October.) The people fast for 
a few days in each month, and proceeding to 
the Kioums'f', dressed in their smartest at- 
tire, prostrate themselves before the PhraaL 
and make suitable offerings to the priests. 
3. WINGBAUH-POE. — occurs in the 
month Sadyne-Kyot. (October.) — By way of ; 
celebrating this festival, a labyrinth is con- 
structed by means of bamboo fences, so pla- ■ " 
ced, as to make the path very narrow and in- , 
tricate from the numerous turns it takes. 
People of both sexes, and of all ages, flock m 
to this place in the evening, dressed in their ffli 
smartest clothes, ; old as well as young thread ! 
the labyrinth, enjoying the^fun that is occasion- ' I 
ed by their several mistakes in endeavouring 
to get out of it. A temple is erected in the | 
centre of the labyrinth, and within it are foirr l 
images of the Ruddha saint, to which the pas- '| 
sengers severally make obeisance, placing i! 
small lamps upon different parts of the build - : 
ing for the purpose of ilkxmination. The 
evening of each day generally closes with a i 
display of fire-workes, and the Bouthsey, a 
ludicrous dramatic representation, very much 
resembling the Putle of India. In addition 
to the above, a ceremony, termed the Piiddcy- 
sah, is performed during the month of Sadyne- 
Kyot. This consists in the construction of 
a frame -work, intended to present a tree which 
is carried about upon the shoulders of the peo- 
ple, and upon it are hung such bequests as 
are made by individuals, in the shape of cloth, 
silks, dishes, &c. the whole of which are in- 
tended for the useofthe inmatesofthe Kioums. 
Much is collected in this manner, it being 
considered highly meritorious to make even 
the smallest gift on this occasion. The pro- 
cession is generally accompained by dancers 
and musicians, wdiose services are wholly 
gratuitous ; for whatever they may indivi- 
ally collect, is, in like manner, devoted to the 
necessities of the Kioum. 
4. The Ruttah-boeh is held in the month 
of Tahoo-dioar, (February,) when the cold 
weather is supposed to have ended. A small 
tree is placed upon a car that had been con- 
structed for the purpose, and to each end of 
this vehicle ropes are attached. The people 
assemble at the place from all quarters, and 
two parties (generally selected from the in- 
habitants of two neighbouring villages) are 
* Image of Gautama. 
+ Monasteries. 
X Gautama. 
