Indian Antiquary Vol 21

SR No.: 032513
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 430
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 17 MB

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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[APRIL, 1892.
It will be thus seen that property descends to the children and wife, the wife taking 50 per cent. and the children equal shares of the remainder. The eldest son gets the household property, arms, and precious stones. If there be no children the wife is heir ; if no wife, the parents ; and if the parents are dead, the deceased's brothers divide.
A title or seat (Säbwaship, &c.) descends to the sons in order of birth. If there be no sons to the daughter's husband, if she be married; if not, to the brothers.
Everything is eaten, only human flesh being forbidden. Men, women and childreu all eat together. Cannibalism is practised very seldom, and only by the Bo, or leader of an army. If he be tattoed in a peculiar manner, he eats the flesh of an enemy who has been shot. This is
d to render the charm of the tattooing stronger and more permanent.
The ground is tilled with a crude plough. The first produce (a portion) is prepared and taken as an offering to a kyaung before any is eaten by the household.
Each man is said to tell his prayers before setting out on a warlike expedition. The wife of the warrior
(1) rests and does no work on every fifth day; (2) fills an earthen goblet with water up
to the brim and puts some flowers into it every day. A decrease of the water or the withering of the flowers is looked
upon as an evil sign (death); (3) Sweeps clean, and lays out, her husband's
bedding every night; (4) is prohibited from sleeping in his bed
during his absence. Mutilation of enemies is carried on to a great extent. The heads are always cut off and brought to the Chief, who gives a reward for every head, according as the head is that of an important or ordinary man.
The country is governed by Chiefs whose office is supposed to be hereditary and not elective, and descends as above explained.
The following story is told of the origin of the Bhans and of their government. A man, aged 5,000 years, started from the east in search of a wife, and at about the same time a woman, aged 5,000 years, started from the west in searoh of a husband. These two met in the middle of the Shan States and then became man and wife. They had eight
sons and seven daughters, who multiplied in their turn and gave rise to a large population. The eight sons and their respective children clamoured for the rulership over the descendants of the daughters, when their language became confused and they then separated and went their respective ways, with their children and clans. The names of the eight sons were
(1) Ai. (2) Ai Yi. (3) Ai S'am (4) Ai S'ai. (5) Ai Ngo. (6) Ai Nu.
(7) Ai Nôk. ' (8) Ai Nai."
Not being able to agree as to who should be the Chief, and quarrelling amongst themselves, the eldest two sons and their children heard of the existence of two kings to the north, and went there to invite them to come and rule the Shan country. These two kings are said to be the Bons of K'un Sang, the Chief of the Heavens, who sent them to deliver the Shân country. The emi. grant Shâns invited them to come and rule their country, and promised to supply and give them every comfort, and to obey and follow their commands.
On the way home the party met a man called Sang P'an, who expressed a desire to follow the two kinge, and they in turn promised to provide for him.
After a short distance they met another man, who called himself Toriya, and was a songster He also joined the party, and they all arrived at Sanparalit, now in the south-east.
The eight essentials of a city (angkámöngpit póng) were attended to, namely,
(1) Market. (2) Water-supply. (3) Palace buildings. (4) [P] (5) Fields. (6) Monastic buildings. (7) Heads of armies (bôs).
(8) Roads. The names of the two first rulers are
(1) Maha-K'attiya Yáza.
(2) Mahl-S'amp'engna Yaza.18 The first improved agriculture and the second introduced weapons.
18 (For(1)read Maha Kshatriya-Raja and for (2) read (?) MabA-Sempunna-Raja. However, compare these names and that of Sanparalit with the following from the Mahdy kawin (Mahardjavarisa), or Chronicle of the Burmese kings " Gautama Buddha, in the fifth year
10 Soo ante, Vol. XX. p. 422, as to the Manipurt rule of descent.-ED.)
11 [Compare the male nomenolature above.-ED.]
11 This man and his generations represent the Amat class, and the two "king" the Sábwa alags.