Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1921-05-27

prepared by the National Geographic So
ciety, Washington, d. CD
While there is considerable
amount Of unrest in many parts of
India proper, the people of Burma,
which is governed as part of India
and yet is geographically separate
from it, seem to be living contentedly.
Geographical and social conditions and
the economic situation flowing from
them undoubtedly have much to do
with this. Burma knows little of the
fear Of famine or the pinch of poverty.
FITS lands are productive, it is rich in
minerals, it is not over-populated, and
It is free from the elaborate caste sys-
lem which is a tremendous handicap
TO India, both socially and economi-
tally.
Kipling and practically all other writ
RS about the East have pointed out
repeatedly that it is difficult at best
or westerners to understand the ORR
ntal peoples. If the observer from
he West wishes to tackle this admit
eddy difficult problem by easy stages,
erhaps he could find no better place
o start than Burma. In a number of
enses there is less of gulf between
he life and customs of the Burmese,
nd those of the West than will be
Ound if the comparison is made with
ny other eastern country.
The Indian is in most cases a sober
Individual. The lower castles must
AXE life with desperate seriousness
ecause of it's hardness and the diff
ulty of clinging to it. The higher
astes are sedate and given to specu-
'htive philosophy. The Chinaman is
enigma. His emotions are difficult
b fathom. The people of the Mo-
ammedan countries are marked by
uiet dignity.
The Burmese Love Life.
In contrast with these other peO-
les of Asia, and almost alone among
hem, the Burmese are frank, open,
Iappy-lovers of life. Their women
re not secluded, but are among the
'reest women in the world. Both men
| nd women are lovers of music and
bearers of bright clothing. Because
f their spontaneity and friendliness
hey have been dubbed "the Irish of
he Orient"
Burma is country of many tribes,
| ut practically all of them are of the
anne racial strain. Shans, Karens,
katchins, Chins and Palaungs are
mong those living in the outlying
Sarts Of the country, though the
karens and to certain extent
he others are to be found in
|arts of lower Burma, more heav-
ty settled section which is most easy
IL access to the outside world. 1t is
he Burmese, however, who constitute
he dominant element with the high
|st culture, and give color to Burma
Is it is known to most westerners who
list the land.
The Burma of the Burmese, that is
bwer Burma and the basin of the
|reat Irrawaddy river, is a land OF
|agodas, the shrines OF Buddhism.
thousands upon thousands of these
'ell-shaped structures surmounted by
flded spires and tinkling bells have
cen built. Many of them have fallen
ito decay, but others are built each
ear. They are the symbols of the
old which the Buddhist religion has
bon the people of Burma. 1t is their
elief that the surest way of "acqulr-
+lg merit" and achieving holy rest at
br death is to erect pagoda; and
ery few Burmese who are able TO
id to the country's forest of pagoda
'pires fail to do so.
No Aristocracy, Few Poor.
There are no noble classes among
he Burmese, no aristocracy, few who
ire very wealthy, and few very poor.
While the caste system as a system
Toes not exist in the country, there
ire several classes of people who are
ooked upon as degraded by their vo-
cations and with whom practically no
Intercourse is had by the majority OF
he people. Unfortunately, too, these
classes are hereditary. They are the
grave diggers, the descendants of the
former pagoda slaves and the beggars.
The general attitude toward these I'M
fortunates is one of the contradictions
IN Burmese character; and there are
others. Their religion requires kind
ness toward animals, and Burmese will