The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-02-23
NEW YEAR IN BURMAH.
Watery Ways of Making Clad the
Auspicious Day.
From The Chicago Times.

From the Chicago Times.
New Years day in Burmah usually falls
in the first week IN April, when the sun is
at its hottest, although it does not take
place annually on the same day. In the
olden time the date was fixed by the as
trologers Of the king. who resided in the
palace at Mandalay, and who were kept
very busy for months before making alb
struse calculations based on the position
Of the different stars. by which they found
among other interesting facts the exact
time that the Nat king would make his
descent upon the earth, thereby announc-
ing the death of one year and the birth
of another. The time of his arrival once
decided on. news of IL was sent without
delay throughout the country. even 10
the remotest jungle village, whereupon
the people made ready for festival that
Is always hailed with the greatest en-
thusiasm and rejoicing
The royal visitor from the land OF
spirits remains from three to four days
during which period the sprinkling of
water or water feast" as 10 is called
takes place. ON the morning OF the first
day they all assemble at prayer on the
paeoda after which the men. women
and children. armed with cans or jars, and
b
and throw water at each other or at any
passers-by be they of what nationality
they may-an attention which is not al
ways received in the same spirit OF good
humor as It is given. Laughing, singing,
and shouting. they go from door to door
The young girls, with wet, streaming
hair and saturated garments. aim dexter
ously at the young men, continuing with
undated vigor throughout the long. SUI
try hours.
water is split upon the ground. upon
the houses, upon the pagodas. and over
the calm, impressive features of Buddha.
Interiors salute their superiOrs with
cup of water down the neck saying at
the same time. II do homage to You
with water" No one desires to escape
the salutation, for TO be so greeted is q
compliment which We're it not paid would
imply that they wished to ignore you.
/ is their way of passing the compliments
of the season. Long before noon every
body is soaked, but thore is. however,
no necessity 10 change wet clothes, for
the sun kindly takes upon itself the Of
flee of drying them.
Scrupulously as the Burmese observe,
and greatly as they enjoy, all festivals,
which afford them an excuse to don all
their most gorgeous dresses and jewels,
there is not one of the feasts that occur
throughout the year which occasions such
universal pleasure as that Of the new
year.
The origin of the water festival is
curious ANA not uninteresting In centu-
ries past King Byamadata, who reigned
over kawthanbi, country OF fragrant
flowers watched by suns that never set
had one son named Kawalamaing, who
was SO singularly gifted that he could
foretell all things. He had, besides. a
marvellous knowledge of every country
and OF every people When he spoke
HftV a4sss of lfNx ,e,1
tho skies, while If he so willed it, every
thing that he touched turned to gold
That his fame should have spread far and
wide even to foreign lands across the sea,
was not to be wondered at. All men
talked of him and said Truly he is a
god"
At last the attention of two Nat kings
who reigned in the immediate stages be-
low Nirvana, was called to him. and they
had many a dispute about him and HE
merits King Thagyamiu, the elder of
the two, was in the princes favor and
sang his praises loudly and on all oc.
casions; but King Byamma was quite in
eredulous. and laughed his brother mon
archs statements TO scorn.
Things went on in this fashion for some
little time, till both growing weary of a
perpetual dispute, they met together and
arranged that they should visit Kawala-
mfing and test his powers. and. having
was in the wrong should lose his head
whereupon they assumed human shane
and presented themselves without deiav
before the prince. he received them very
kindly, and expressed himself quite win
ing TO answer any questions they liked TO
put to him. Byamma asked:
Can you tell us where the two MT
kings, Thagyman and Byamma, are AT
the present moment?'
The prince signed to one of the MANY
servants who loitered i'm the audience
chamber, and who at once brought him
some jeweled tablets on which he made
certain calculations, then he looked up
and said:
The kings of whom you speak are at
present on earth and stand now before
me-
Then he touched some white flowers
that We're before him and in an instant
they had turned TO gold. Afterward. lay
ing his hand upon a slave who stood
near by, he caused him TO become a
statue Of carved metal Then Bvamna
who had been skepucal, doubted no more
but took his leave and went straight Ia
the place agreed upon for the execu-
ton OF whonsoeYer was in the wrong
The servants OF Thagyamm awaited his
arrival. When he. came they cut off his
head with magic sword.
once he was dead a great difficulty
arose as TO how they should dispose Of
his head, for owing 20 the superior
qualities and Wonderful mind that he had
possessed While alive, if they buried If
under ground Il would have the effect
OF Rflling all flowers. fruits. and trees
for all time: while if they threw IT into
the sea all the water would at once dry
UP.
They were greatly perpIexed and sought