The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1921-06-03

prepared by the National Geographic So
ciety. Washington. ID. CO
While there is a 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 il, 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.
Its lands are productive, ii is rich in
minerals. il is not over-pOpulated, and
il is free from the elaborate caste sys-
tenn which is tremendous handicap
10 India, both socially and economi-
cally.
Kiplng and practically all other writ
ers about the East have pointed out
repeatedly that IL is difficult at best
for weSterners 10 understand the orr
entail peoples. If the observer from
the West wishes TO tackle this admit
tedly difficult problem by easy stages,
perhaps he could md no better place
70 start than Burma. In number of
senses there is less IF a gulf between
the life and customs of the Burmese,
and those of the West than will be
found If the comparison is made with
any other eastern country.
The Indian is in most cases sober
Individual. The lower castles must
take life with desperate seriousness
because Of its hardness and the diff
Guilty of clinging 10 il. The higher
castles are sedate and given 10 specu-
lative philosophy. The Chinaman is
an enigma. His emotions are difficult
10 fathom. The people of the Mo-
hammedan countries are marked by a
quiet dignity.
The Burmese Love Life.
In contrast with these other peO-
pies Of Asia. and almost alone among
them, the Burmese are frank. open,
happy-loyers of life. Their wolneE
are not secluded. but are among the
freest women in the world. Both men
and women are lovers of music and
wearers of bright clothing. Because
of their spontaneity and friendinesS
they have been dubbed the Irish of
the Orient"
Burmasis a country Of many tribes.
but practically all OF them are of the
same racial strain. Shans, karers,
+ Katchins. Chins and Palaungs are
among those living in the outlying
parts of the country. though the
karenS and 20 certain extent
the others are To be found in
parts Of lower Burma, a more heav-
lily settled section which is most easy
of access 70 the outside world. Ii is
the Burmese. however, who constitute
the dominant element with the high
est culture. and give color To Burma
Is il il known 10 most westerners who
visit the land.
The Burma II the Burmese. that is
lower Burma and the basin of the
great Irrawaddy river. is a land OF
pagodaS, the shrines OF Buddhism
Thousands upon thousands Of these
bell-Shaped structures surmounted 10y
gilded spires and tinkling bells have
been built. Many of them have fallen
into decay. but others are built each
year. They are the symbols Of the
hold which the Buddhist religion has
upon the people ~ Burma. Ii is their
belief that the SureSt way If "acQuir-
ing merit and achieving holy rest az
ter death is 10 erect pagoda and
very few Burmese who are able 70
add 10 the country's forest OF pagoda
spires fail To 90 SO
No Aristoeracy. Few Poor.
There are no noble classes among
the Burmese. no aristocracy. few who
are very wealthy. and few very poe.
While the caste system rs system
does not exist in the country. there
are several classes of people who are
looked upon n degraded by their vc
cations and with whom practically ne
intercourse Is had by the majority OF
the 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 un-
fortunates il one Of the contradictions
I'm Burmese character; and there are
others Their religion requires kind
ness coward animals, and Burmese will