The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1896-07-11

rupsAn faaE40Ns ana 44iaaA OF kNAAGGo
leaf. are used to some extent in the
cities where foreign civilization has
erept in. the true Burmese ehsroot IS
of distinctive sort II is Constructed
OF an envelope formed OF a certain dried
leaf. or OF the inner husk Of the maize
plant. and this envelope IS hiied with
a mixture OF tobacco and finely chopped
wood. the latter generally o. the stalk
OF the tobacco plant Itself Il Is an
inch in diameter AZ the thicker end
II is the custom OF Burnah for a young
woman not to smoke her ehsFoot In
steady puts, but TO take a few whiffs
and then Jay It down OF pass Il TO the
next lady In the party.
Quite as common Is the smoking
habit among girls as II Is among Won
en-, and II extends even TO children. A
frequent sight IS thar Of a Burmese
mother taking q ehsroot from her
mouth and putting il to the tips Of her
nursing child The child. fit Be a year
and a half or = years 81 age faud .he
women Of Burmah, according to an old
custom. saeklo their children unul they
are long past p. VIII parse Up ne tiny
lips and pun away at the weed Eith
every indication OF pleasure
Many other peculiar ana Interesting
customs DO these people have kissing
Is absolutely unknown In Iais land. the
nearest approach 70 Il being snslling
The lover puts his arms around the
iady he adorcs and literally smells her
cheek; the young mother bends over
her baby's little body and coutInuaIly
shifts Al T.
The men treat women with consider
alton and courtesy uadr- an eircum-
stances. particularly IL iasilinE
crowd. and there Is 40 false familiarity
AZ any time. The women ohoU hem
selves worthy OF this By rs5yi.- n
every instance faithful mothers. good
wives and dutifGl daughter Family
life IS almost IDEAL Ii this country ana
tho old people OF the housz aold arc re-
garaed with much respect and rcvcs-
ence
While the woman Of Bu7mah e a
great force IN business. she does not
attempt to Usurp the tinc-hoaUred pre-
roEatiye Of the men a. regards coart-
ing and marriage, There are very
strange customs among these people In
regard to cauTtship, During the day
the young folks. however ioveslek they
may be. attend strictly 10 business az
fairs. At 3 O'Clock al uiEht. though,
when the old people are suppressed 10
have gone to bed. begins the ~soo-byo
tay the aehyria,- or "the time for
young meE 70 go about" Thls means
the time TO court So prevalent a crrs-
tom has this become that II a suspicious
character Is found lurking about the
streets after dark he need only say 20
the guard, Il au ioo-byo laying" %
be Immediately set free.
when a young man decides 20 marry
girl he sends some cid people 10
propose the matter 70 her parents II
he IS accepted he goes quietly 70 his
father-in-law's house. takes possession
OF the lady without any further cere-
mony aud lives there as a son for year
or SO. The year having expired. he takes
HIS wife away. especially IL he has
child. and sets up = house toE himself
The marriage tie Is easily performed
and easily dissolved Open living to-
gether as man and wife and eating
out Of the same dish" Is the entire
ceremony. Divorces are many and they
are easily got, all that IS necessary be-
ing to go before the village elders and
sign an agreement TO separate.
Enumeration