Burmese women are not tattooed. All Burmans smoke and most chew betel.
For more than a thousand years, the Burmese maintained unaltered the characteristics of their race. Writing of their customs in the 9th century of our era, a Chinese annalist describes them as devout Buddhists, disliking to take animal life; with many monasteries into which all boys go at the age of seven years. The white elephant is pictured with some exaggeration. The dress of men and women is similar to that of the present day. "The women twist their hair high upon the crown of the head, and ornament it with strings of pearls; they wear a natural tinted female petticoat, and throw pieces of delicate silk over themselves; when walking they hold a fan[1]." Ralph Fitch's descriptions of Burmese life in the 16th century might have been written yesterday.
Among the mass of the people, the national type persists. But contact with the west has begun the process of disintegration. Among the educated and semi-educated classes, probably there has been more change in the last ten years than in the preceding ten centuries. Till quite lately, Burmans took no interest in politics and inclined to prefer personal rule. There were periodical petty risings headed by some real or pretended member of the Royal House. But there was no constitutional agitation or desire for representative government. Above all things, the Burman abhorred the suggestion of Indian influence. Of late, national aspirations have become loudly vocal, and clamour for reforms insistent. Burmans have condescended to be inspired by Indian agitators. Leagues and Associations for political propaganda have been formed and the Press has thrown off all restraint. These phenomena must be recorded. It would be premature and unbecoming to comment.
Karens. The next largest section of the population in-
- ↑ Burma. E. H. Parker, 13.
