The Journal of the Siam Society Vol. XXIX, Part 1-2, 1936 - Khamkoo
The Journal of the Siam Society Vol. XXIX, Part 1-2, 1936 - Khamkoo
The Journal of the Siam Society Vol. XXIX, Part 1-2, 1936 - Khamkoo
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PT. n] SIR J. GEORGE SCOT'!' 147<br />
thirsty, headcutting savages-what <strong>the</strong>y no doubt were in former<br />
times-seem, after better relations have been established with <strong>the</strong>m,<br />
thanks to <strong>the</strong> British Raj, not to be without good points. <strong>The</strong>ir<br />
men are brave at least, and made a good record for <strong>the</strong>mselves during<br />
<strong>the</strong> last World War when <strong>the</strong>y served in Mesopotamia.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Kachins are no doubt Mongols, having trickled in froni <strong>the</strong><br />
north. <strong>The</strong> author mentions that types which suggest Negro blood<br />
(excepting <strong>the</strong> hair) are sometimes met with among <strong>the</strong> Kachins.<br />
rrhis may be due to a remote mixture with a former Melanesian<br />
stock. Negroid traits are also found among <strong>the</strong> dwarfish Lutze to<br />
<strong>the</strong> north <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Triangle (in nor<strong>the</strong>rnmost Burma) and in certain<br />
tribes in Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Tongking. <strong>The</strong> "maiden's bowers" are not restricted<br />
to <strong>the</strong> Kachins, but are also met with, at harvest time, on<br />
<strong>the</strong> paddy fields <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Puthai and <strong>the</strong> Saek <strong>of</strong> North-Eastern <strong>Siam</strong>.<br />
On page 183 <strong>the</strong> author is speaking <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> knotted string language<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Mexicans. This is <strong>of</strong> course a slip <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pen for <strong>the</strong> Incas<br />
<strong>of</strong> Peru. Ideographic messages, like those used by <strong>the</strong> Kachins are<br />
also found among <strong>the</strong> Khamu around Luang Phrabang.<br />
'l'he Chins (whose real name is Chang), living on <strong>the</strong> hi<strong>the</strong>r side <strong>of</strong><br />
Burma proper, are quite interesting, though as dirty as <strong>the</strong> Karens<br />
and <strong>the</strong> Kachins, and seem formerly to have possessed a kind <strong>of</strong><br />
civilization.<br />
When <strong>the</strong> British started to pacify <strong>the</strong>ir country, <strong>the</strong>y were head<br />
hunters, slave dealers and raiders <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> worst kind, living in cunningly<br />
fortified villages situated on <strong>the</strong> top <strong>of</strong> inacceAsible hills .<br />
.All this haA been altered for <strong>the</strong> better, and <strong>the</strong> Chins now make<br />
good soldiers <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> King-Emperor. <strong>The</strong>y are tall, nearly 6 feet high,<br />
and very enduring. <strong>The</strong>y are expert in bowmanship, <strong>the</strong>ir bows being<br />
quite five feet across. Ano<strong>the</strong>r remarkable thing is <strong>the</strong>ir erecting <strong>of</strong><br />
stone monuments, which shows influence from <strong>the</strong> ancient Near East.<br />
Sir George mentions <strong>the</strong> mythun, which he thinks is a cross<br />
between a cow and a buffalo! This animal is, however, a tame bison<br />
or gaur, <strong>the</strong> Kating <strong>of</strong> <strong>Siam</strong>, which is exclusively kept for sacrifices<br />
to <strong>the</strong> spirits.(l) <strong>The</strong> Chins have a vague belief in a Supreme Being,<br />
and <strong>the</strong>y seem altoge<strong>the</strong>r to be well worth a thorough study.<br />
<strong>The</strong> author knew <strong>the</strong> Shans better than most, but <strong>the</strong> reviewer<br />
(l) .Vide Colonel J, Shakespear, <strong>The</strong> Lushei I(uki Clans, p:p. 31 and :32,