Indian Antiquary Vol 26

SR No.: 032518
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 360
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 15 MB

Page 293

NOVEMBER, 1897.) CURRENCY AND COINAGE AMONG THE BURMESE.
287 = = people to plant pepper, if they receive "cloth as the price of the industry;" and then he proceeds to relate how, with the help of two "noquedahs (ni klula) and the Captain of the Chinese," he succeeded in building and launching a jouk. “The entire cost and outfit amonnted, as I have been informed by the contracting parties, to no more than 8,500 Spanish dollars; which, after allowing for a profit on their congongs, is not more than 4,500 Spanish dollars." This seems to shew that "they " had been up to a little sharp practise with their congongs."
It is a far cry from the Burmese border and Borneo to Angola, but a little bit of evidence from Pyrard de Laval (Vol. II. p. 219) is well worth recording here." As for the small money of Angola, it consists only of little shells, somewhat like those of the Maldives (i. e., cowries), and little pieces of cloth made of a certain herb. These pieces are an ell in length, more or less, according to the price. And when they go to market to buy their goods they carry no other money." Here we have as perfect a specimen of a conventional cloth currency as we could wish for.
(4) Drums.- Of a most interesting value put npon an article of peculiar manufacture and of its possession as an indication of wealth, we have an instance amongst the Karennis or Red Karens. It is not quite unique, however, as a reference to de Morga will shew later on.
Macmahon, in his slovenly and discursive Karens of the Golden Chersonese, p. 279 ff., says:-“ Among the most valued possessions of the Hill Karens is the kyce-ree, consisting of a eopper or spelter cylinder of about a quarter of an inch in thickness, averaging about two feet in length and of somewhat greater diameter at one end, which is closed with the same kind of metal, the smaller end being left open. They are ornamented in a rude style with figures of animals, birds and fish, and according to size and volume of sound, are valued at from £5 to £50 (P 50 to 500 tickals). On the outer circle are four frogs. They have distinctive names for ten different kinds, which they pretend to distinguish by the sound. In the settlement of their quarrels, and in the redemption of their captives, the indemnification always takes the shape of a kyee-zee or more, with, perhaps, a few buffaloes or pigs us make-weights. To such an extent does the passion for the possession of these instrnments predominate among the more secluded tribes, that it is said instances are by no means rare of their having bartered their children and relations for them. The possession of kyee-sees is what constitutes a rich Karen. No one is considered rich without them, whatever may be his other possessions. Every one who has money endeavours to turn it into ky ee-sees, and a village that has many of them is the envy of other villages, and is often the cause of wars to obtain their possession."77
Now, de Morga gives us something of a parallel to this instructive information from the Philippine Islanders of the XVIth Century. After explaining that the usual way of trade was in general barter, he says (Hak. Soc. Ed., p. 303) "sometimes a price intervened, which was paid in gold, according to the agreement made ; also in metal belle brought from China, which they value as precious ornaments. They are like large pans and are very soorous, and they strike upon them at their feasts and carry them in the vessels to the wars instead of drums or other instruments."
(5) Glass Jars and Bottles. - Some equally interesting facts are forthcoming regarding glass jars and bottles, which the Chinese noticed a thousand years ago as used by the Burmese
11 The authorities for a good deal of this are Mason, J. 4. 8. B. Vol. XXXVII., Pt. II., p. 128 f., and O'Riley, J. Ind. Arch. Vol. II, No. 4, noto 57. I would like to remark that kyins, spelt kritchart, is a Burmese word, the Karen word being probably something quite different, and means a flat gong, whether circular or triangular. The components, according to the orthodox spelling, would be kyel, copper, and af, a drum or cask; but the pronunciation is
word kyl (kyar), with the meaning of a tube closed at one end, and it seems to me possible that kylxl is really composed of two words spoken together and having the same meaning. Such duplications are common in Burmese and in Oriental languages generally. If this is right, the conventional form kyat is a case of false etymology of the clerical sort. See Stevenson, Bur. Dict. pp. 216, 245, 369. In his Far Cathay and Further India, a work irritating in its slovenliness, p. 237, Macmahon repeats some of the above information, with the addition that the kyizf of the Karens is similar to the drum of the "Miantzis of China."