Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-10-18

ON the thOrOug hfarcS of this peculiar
ly ancient looking city, which in reality
is not ancient 1T all. may ne seen many
striking types of the Occidcnt and ORR
ent in sharp contrast with the steady
going European business man and the
matter Of fact missionary who is uSU
ally on American. For the venerable
appearance" which the city presents, eli
matte conditions are wholly responsible.
Heat and humidity combined with hca-
w rainfall in the Wo4 season causes
the rapiG accumulation of moss at ev-
cry angle and projection giving an APP
pedranc. Of Respectable antiquity to
buildings of comparatively recent con-
| structior In the city itself taking in
| to consideration the cnure reputation
the Burmese are decidedly in the nino-
rity. Throughout The balance Of the
province the foreign population is
| small OF the burmese themselves
much may IL" written of general inter
| st as they are n most pleasing people,
| cheerful, light hpart.t. hoSnitatlc and
yet Withal on ct2sion as stoi,al as any
| natives q; th@ East.
| Burmese women are Iatural born
traders being very mucA in evidence at
| all times ana in all lines in the h1zaarS.
| The men are largely interested i'll agri-
| culture, usually rice cultivation which
in the favored deltaic country dos not
| involve a maximum OF iaDor. Il is most
interesting to visit the baZaaTS and oh
serve the Burmese women presiding
over little booths With Il combination OF
natural courtesy and commercial anii-
| ity di1!icult 10 Withstand. Not even the
| Parsces. Surati or Bombay men of In
dia. all noted for trading ability are
| more cai'1hle than these dernure little
| brown skinned damsels Of the East
! Another feature invariably attracting
the attention Of casual visitors * the
| manner in which thesa women traders
arc dressed. Decked out in dainty hn-
en- and fine Silken garments with jewels
or flowers for the hair and ornaments
of gold not infrequcrtly accompanied
by striking display of ruhies and dia-
monds the impression received is pleas
ant ard lasting. At the same time they
may be chewing betel nut or smoking a
| huge cheroots somewhat resembling a
miniature log Of wood. These cheroots
are made in different grades and sew
eral sizes from three to ten inches in
|
betel leap and paper. The larger sizes
find most favor with the Burmese ard
smoking is almost universal in the
East.
| The women are excellent mothers
having strong affection for their chill
dren. If accompanying the mother
children are usually carried astrde the
hip. Generally speaking the Burmese
are physically well developed, parucr-
iarly as regards the lower limbs and
chest, showing q marked contrast in
this respect to some of the natives of
India. They are fond of sports playing
football (baretoCtcdD remarkably Well
and with the assistance Of American
and English teachers are rapidly devei-
oping Il very respectable number of all
round athletes
| At the age OF twelve or thirteen the
Burmese maiden signifies her debut by
having her ears bored This is usually
made a fornaI ceremony attended by
relatives and fri ends in festival attire
A professional ear borer officiates at :;
propitious hour as indicated II
the girls Horoscope by the cas-
ter of nativities. the ear is pierced
Y with golden needle and the aperture
gradually enlarged until of sufficient
size to hold tn" ear cylinders Sc com
monty worn. In the more prominent
Burmese families this ceremonial IS 6
gala affair attended by a large number
of guests usually Including officials and
lotl'ers of prominence in the locality
Boys also have the ears pierced but the
ceremony is usually nnaccompanied by
festivities. Tattooing among the mer