A Note by Bishop Bigandet on Burmese Bells.[42]
Bells are common in Burma, and the people of that country are well acquainted with the art of casting them. Most of the bells to be seen in the pagodas are of small dimensions, and in shape differ from those used in Europe. The inferior part is less widened, and there is a large hole in the centre of the upper part. No tongue is hung in the interior, but the sound is produced by striking with a horn of deer or elk the outward surface of the lower part. No belfry is erected for the bells; they are fixed on a piece of timber laid horizontally, and supported by two posts, at such a height that the inferior part of the bell is raised about five feet from the ground.
The largest specimens of Burmese art are the two bells to be seen, the one at the large pagoda of Rangoon, called Shuay Dagon, and the other at Mengoon.
The first was cast in 1842, as recorded by the inscription on it. The weight of metal is 94,682 lbs.; its height, 9½ cubits; its diameter, 5 cubits; its thickness, 15 inches. But during the process of melting, the well-disposed threw in copper, silver, and gold in great quantities. It is supposed that in this way the weight was increased one-fourth.
The bell of Mengoon was cast at the beginning of this century. In shape and form it resembles our bells of Europe. It is probable that some foreigner residing at Ava suggested the idea of giving such an unusual form to that monumental bell. Its height is 18 feet, besides 7 feet for hanging apparatus. It is 17 feet in diameter, and from 10 to 12 inches in thickness. Its weight is supposed to exceed 200,000 lbs.[43] In the interior, large yellowish and greyish streaks indicate that considerable quantities of gold and silver have been thrown in during the process of melting. No idea can at present be had of the power of the sound, as its enormous weight has caused the pillars that support it partially to give way. To prevent a final disaster, the orifice of the bell has been made to rest on large teak posts sunk in the ground and rising about 3 feet above it.
[42] From ‘The Legend of the Burmese Buddha,’ by Bishop Bigandet, Rangoon.
[43] It will be observed that these figures are in excess of those given by Colonel Yule, which I have quoted in the text.
Translation of a Chinese Document, which purports to account for the Origin and Establishment of Mahommedanism in China. By Colonel Sladen.
The chief queen of the emperor Tanwan adopted a child and called him Anlaushan. In time the child developed into a man of extraordinary comeliness and wonderful intellect.
The queen was enamoured; and the adopted son became her paramour.
Anlaushan soon rose to distinction. His abilities were of the highest order, and raised him at once to fame and influence. The queenly passion was not disclosed; but suspicion had been sufficiently roused to make it prudent on the queen’s part to get rid of her lover, and defeat all signs of illicit intercourse.
Anlaushan was accordingly accused of being privy to a conspiracy to dethrone the emperor. The influence of the queen prevailed to obtain a conviction, and her favourite was banished from the royal capital.
But the injustice of his accusation and a sense of wrongs roused Anlaushan to action, and induced him to become in reality a leader of rebellion. He lost no time in collecting a large force with which he was able to make head against the government, and successfully encounter the troops of the emperor. In time he had approached within a league of the capital, and city and palace were alike threatened.
The emperor Tanwan in this emergency adopted the suggestion of his vizier Kanseree, and despatched a mission to Seeyoogwet, and implored foreign aid. A force of three thousand men was sent, under the command and guidance of three learned teachers, who arrived in due time at Tanwan’s capital. By their aid Anlaushan was defeated and eventually captured.
The rebellion was at an end, and the foreign contingent left China, to return to its own country. Here, however, a difficulty arose. Their rulers refused them admittance, and alleged as a cause for doing so, that it was against the constitution of the country to receive back men who had come into contact with pork-eating infidels. They had herded in fact with pigs and infidels, and could no longer be regarded as unpolluted subjects, or as fit members of a society which held pork in religious detestation.
They returned therefore to China, and became permanent sojourners in a foreign land. They are the original stock from which Mahommedanism has sprung up in China, in various communities, and under several denominations, &c.
List of Nats, or Deities, worshipped by the Kakhyens; obtained from Native Sources by Colonel Sladen.
Note by Professor Douglas on the Deities in the Shan Temple at Tsaycow, in the Hotha Valley.
The objects of worship contained within the walls of this temple are well worthy of note, more especially as they illustrate the curious manner in which the deities representing the various faiths of Chinamen—Buddhist, Taouist, and Confucianist—are often intermingled. As the subjoined list shows, Buddhas, Buddhisatwas, Devas, Arhans, and Buddhist patriarchs, stand side by side with “True Men,” “Masters of Heaven,” and princes of the Taouist faith; while Confucianism finds a solitary representative in the Deva of Scholarly (i.e. Confucianist) Youths (No. 15). This grouping together of the deities of the “Three Religions” might appear strange to those unacquainted with the phases which these faiths have assumed in China. From the first, however, Taouism was but another form of Buddhism, and the gradual weakening, which has been going on for centuries, of the distinctive doctrines of the two sects, together with the introduction of purely Chinese superstition into both, have tended to obliterate the uncertain line of demarcation which originally separated the one from the other. Indeed, the power of absorption, whether of races or of creeds, which so peculiarly belongs to the Chinese, has served to fuse together the dogmas of Buddha and Lao-tsze with the teachings of Confucius to such an extent that, as far as the masses are concerned, they may be treated as the foundations of a common faith, and the objects set apart by each for worship are to be found not unfrequently standing in positions of equal honour—as in the present instance—in the national Pantheons.
The following is a list of the eighty deities who are enthroned in the temple:—
[44] Arhan, Professor Douglas informs me, has the same signification as the term rahan, used by me in the text.—J. A.
Vocabulary.
| English. | Kakhyen. | Shan. | Hotha Shan. | Leesaw. | Poloung. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One | Langai | Loong | Ta | Ti | Lay. |
| Two | Lakong | Song | Seuk | Hnuit | Eh. |
| Three | Masoam | Sam | Soom | Sa | Ooay. |
| Four | Malee | Si | Mee | Li | Pone. |
| Five | Mangah | Ha | Ngwa | Ngaw | Pohn. |
| Six | Kroo | Hoak | Ho | Chaw | Taw. |
| Seven | Sanet | Saet | Huit | Tshe | Ta. |
| Eight | Matsat | Pyet | Het | Hay | Poo. |
| Nine | Tsikoo | Kow | Kaow | Koo | Teen. |
| Ten | Shi | Sheep | Takkhay | Tsi | Kew. |
| Eleven | Shilangai | Sheepate | Khayta | Tsili | Kewlay. |
| Twenty | Koon | Sow | Sow | Meetzee | Ehkew. |
| Twenty-one | Koonlangai | Sowate | Sowta | Meetzeeti | Ehkewlay. |
| One hundred | Latsa | Packlaing | Tabac | Teengha | Oobooyaw. |
| One thousand | Hainglangai | Hainglaing | Tahaing | Titoo | Oohaing. |
| I | Ngai | Kow | Ngaw | Nga | Ow. |
| We | Antaing | Mowshoe | Ngawtookay | Ngaeuh | Nuibey. |
| You | Nongtaing | How | Kewtakah | .. .. | Ee. |
| He | Torawah | Mung | Mong | .. .. | Pĕh. |
| Of me | Ngaihome | Kowlai | .. .. | .. .. | .. .. |
| Of us | Antainglo | Howhalai | .. .. | .. .. | .. .. |
| Of you | Nangtainglo | Mowsoo | .. .. | .. .. | .. .. |
| Of him | Keyraiĕh | Hongmyoon | .. .. | .. .. | .. .. |
| Of them | Kangtengraiĕh | Myonhowlai | .. .. | .. .. | .. .. |
| Above | Lata | Kāneh | Attaw | Khanashee | Kiggo. |
| Below | Lawoo | Kantow | Loongbaw | Meekhya | Kirroi. |
| Far | Nowtsanai | Kaiyow | Vaylai | Oorăh | Loong. |
| Near | Aneesharengai | Cowalaí | Neenăy | Tialah | Puloang. |
| Alone | Nanaisha | Yonlai | Notah | Nwaday | Mowloutsay. |
| Inside | .. .. | .. .. | Ahhow | Nagwah | Kaffan. |
| Behind | .. .. | .. .. | Noongbah | Kanashee | Howlaybonow. |
| Before | .. .. | .. .. | Numram | Jugushee | Howlaiow. |
| North | .. .. | Kaneu | Oobah | Meegoakhew | Keyroi. |
| South | .. .. | Kantow | Meetope | Wadashee | Keygo. |
| East | .. .. | Wanoak | Neekcoam | Godashee | Makkayroi. |
| West | .. .. | Wantoak | Soobudaykhaybaw | Loosoometsighaw | Tsika. |
| Best | Kajai | Leesubinah | Makhay | Magee | Putzee. |
| Bad | Inkajah | Yunglee | Highmakhay | .. .. | .. .. |
| Worst | Toomsa inkajah | Moataykhew | Highmakhayaw | Oumamagee | Putzee. |
| High | Tsawah | Ansoong | Mahanglai | Moodah | Ko. |
| Higher | .. .. | Aykhera soongsa | Soobudaymahanglaí | Akkeymo | Kokakai. |
| Highest | .. .. | Lata | Soobudayma-hanglaibaw | .. .. | Hoakmureemurra. |
| Low | Nemai | Tumalai | Mahlawhoonlai | Kula | Quoikaroi. |
| False | Nangmasonai | Monlonlai | Manhay | Mungaw | Owmow. |
| Fine | Tsomai | Sanay | Tomelai | Byeedah | Tseah. |
| True | Raiai | Lonlai | Pēybaw | Ghooleeaw | Hawhoi. |
| Thin | Kasherai | Yongmai | Hyamlai | Battah | Mangah. |
| Fat | Kubai | Peaeh | Powlai | Tsuddah | Kalana. |
| Thick | Tatday | Lalai | Kanlai | Guadah | Nakakoi. |
| Oily | Toesa | Hackaylai | Kokklai | Khuddah | Kaiaw. |
| Pretty | Tsomai | Hanglilai | Tomelai | Bheda | Tsi. |
| Ugly | .. .. | .. .. | .. .. | Mabyee | Putzee. |
| Beautiful | Tsomai | Hanglilai | Tomebaw | Bheda | Tsikaw. |
| Clean | Tsomai | Senshitnai | Peubaw | Phaw | Lweehaw. |
| Dirty | Shoeshakai | Hangwheylai | Tseetbaw | Neemughoondah | Highai. |
| Dusty | .. .. | .. .. | Soodah | Shenggew | Peevunay. |
| Cheap | .. .. | Mouwai | Polai | .. .. | Noodah |
| Dear | Matzanneh | Paneh | Kolai | Kaddah | Gnaw. |
| Rich | Soneh | Me-eh | Chodo | Tsobo | .. .. |
| Poor | Matzaneh | Panyon | Panlai | Saddah | Anpan. |
| Old | Toonglasa | Tonalai | Mungsaw | Tsomaw | Takkaw. |
| Young | Kacheeai | Onyou | Thoay | Lanew | Taheelay. |
| Tall | Sawai | Soongai | Mangbah | Moakkaw | Onyou-haw. |
| Little | Indehkacheeai | Onzalai | Asaw | Wablaneu | Konou. |
| Small | Kacheecheeai | Onzeesee | Moonmoonsaw | Runurraw | Konlay-lay. |
| Big | Kubai | Yanalai | Khuybaw | Woodaw | Langhaw. |
| Tight | Teetai | Kapai | Shinglai | Tsodah | Pakkaw. |
| Wide | Koocabai | Quangai | Quanglabaw | Haydaw | Loomhaw. |
| Close | Meesa | Kowai | Naygawsabaw | Thyeedaw | Chamhaw. |
| Painful | Matzeeai | Sipai | Atoohenlai | Goodoonnuddah | Toeowsayowlow. |
| Pleasant | .. .. | .. .. | Kneelawkaybaw | Teeanaw | Khyenhaw. |
| Red | Khrenai | Aneng | Omnah | Yeenee | Yow. |
| Yellow | Somai | Anaing | Aloom | Yeeshee | Eela. |
| Green | Chitai | Anhew | Akkew | Yeneetshee | Eevong. |
| Blue | Chitai | Anpyah | Amyauh | Lasay | Lenay. |
| Orange | .. .. | .. .. | Aloongasaw | Attew | Quonlaylay. |
| Black | Changai | Anam | Annaw | Yeenah | Eewong. |
| White | Prongai | Angpuck | Appew | Yeepoo | Eelooee. |
| Hand | Lata | Mew | Taw | Lapah | Tai. |
| Foot | Lagong kheytai | Ting | Hkay | Khaypah | Ronaw. |
| Nose | Indee | Hunglan | Nayhong | Nahbay | Koorookmoo. |
| Eye | Me | Waydah | Knoydzee | Myetzoo | Nigh. |
| Mouth | Iucoop | Soap | Myoot | Malay | Moay. |
| Tooth | Wa | Shew | Khoway | Tsitshee | Shang. |
| Ear | Na | Mayloho | Neeshaw | Nabaw | Choak. |
| Hair | Karah | Hoonhoẃ | Oo | Oochay | Heuckhyn. |
| Head | Pong | Ho | Owgong | Oodew | Khyn. |
| Tongue | Shinglet | Lin | Whaw | Latchay | Latah. |
| Belly | Khan | Tong | Oondow | Hickhay | Vot. |
| Rock | Shemah | Lung | Wholoong | Kamah | Yahow. |
| Iron | Phee | Lĕh | Shan | Hhew | Tsigh. |
| Gold | Tsa | Hum | Say | Keypah | Yoang. |
| Silver | Comprong | Goom | Noway | Poo | Reun. |
| Copper | Makree | Tong | Toangwah | Gishshee | .. .. |
| Lead | Masoo | Chun | Keway | Tsew | Pachat. |
| Tin | Pheyprong | Laypuck | Shanphew | Hoepew | Leckleway. |
| Brass | Makree | Tonglung | Tungpur | Yeguw | .. .. |
| Earth | Kah | Lunglean | Me | Nayhew | Katai. |
| Father | Kowah | Paw | Apaw | Baba | Koon. |
| Mother | Gnoo | Ma | Aggah | Mama | Ma. |
| Brother | Apoo | Tsailoong | Among | Aiyee | Peeow. |
| Sister | Mongsow | Nongsow | Ham | Mala | Peenangow. |
| Man | Chingpaw | Khoon | Chow | Latchoe | Taee. |
| Woman | Noom | Pahying | Inggnaw | Lamurah | Yeban. |
| Wife | Mashanoom | Meh | Aymaw | Lameuh | Peeow. |
| Child | Mang | Laon | Tsoee | Lunay | Yebanay. |
| Son | Kashah | Look | Tsalooalisa | Tsobahla | Eemeilay. |
| Daughter | Mawhonkashah | Looksow | Eengnawsa | Lameungla | Eebanay. |
| Slave | Kashahpyeelai | Loogyonow | Khyun | Chobah | Myeh. |
| Cultivator | Toangnaiai | Toangla | .. .. | .. .. | .. .. |
| Shepherd | Peinamremai | Sowpalingpeh | .. .. | .. .. | .. .. |
| Hunter | Mounwhomai | Sowmonso | Muso | .. .. | .. .. |
| God | Shingrawah | Sowpara | Oorah | Whŏo | Chuprah. |
| Devil | Nateabai | Peahighloong | Tam | Gnay | Canom. |
| Sun | San | Wan | Poee | Neemee | Lata. |
| Moon | Ladah | Lhun | Pulaw | Habackhee | Takkew. |
| Star | Lagree | Laow | Khew | Coosah | Law. |
| Fire | Wan | Phai | Poee | Attaw | Nigh. |
| Water | Intzin | Nam | Tea | Yeghaw | Em. |
| House | Indah | Huhn | Een | Ghnee | Krep. |
| Horse | Comerang | Māh | Mang | Amho | Myong. |
| Cow | Toomsoo | Bow | Nochoanatsaing | Anyemah | Muckamah. |
| Dog | Quhay | Mah | Quhoee | Annah | Sŏw. |
| Cat | Ningyoueh | Myew | Kollaw | Urrah | Yewh. |
| Cock | Oorang | Kiephoo | Capaw | Urupah | Yehcrow. |
| Duck | Oopyaet | Pyet | Pāy | Ah | Pyet. |
| Ass | .. .. | .. .. | Mahlee | Khyamyeh | Myonglee. |
| Bird | Nhoopyen | Loak | Ghnaw | Nga | Ngow. |
| Mule | Latsayla | Mālaw | Mālaw | Teemee | Tolelaw. |
| Bamboo | Kawah | Myēh | Chewgen | Wahmah | Khyang. |
| Stone | Loong | Heen | Leekaw | Takhee | Maou. |
| Elephant | Maguay | Tsang | Khyang | Hamāh | Chang. |
| Buffalo | Ngā | Why | Noloway | Annaga | Kha. |
| Flea | Wahkaree | Mat | Ghlu | Catteuh | Khang. |
| Louse (body) | Sakhep | Mien | .. .. | Chinutah | Oo. |
| Louse (head) | Chee | How | .. .. | .. .. | .. .. |
| Deer | Po | Pangdai | Twing | Myloo | Ahjaw. |
| Goat | Painam | Pay-yah | Pa | Utchee | Mēh. |
| Sulphur | Khan | Khan | Khanteuk | Khang | Khan. |
| Salt | Tsoom | Khu | Khaw | Tsabow | Sĕh. |
| Sugar | Tsantang | Khuwan | Saow | Shantah | Mahmoilooay. |
| Milk | Tsoo | Loam | Nonow | Atchee | Emboo. |
| Sheep | .. .. | Toe | .. .. | Atchumew | Atchaw. |
| Turban | Poonkaw | Khynhoe | Wootoop | Wootew | Kameh. |
| Jacket | Polong | Seu | Tsay | Bucheu | Kayeup. |
| Trousers | Teboo | Pa | Ghlaw | Meekee | .. .. |
| Woman’s Jacket | Polong | Sou | Eenawtsay | Samen buchee | Kayeup yebaw. |
| Woman’s Turban | .. .. | Klynhoe | Eenaw ootoop | Samen wootew | Kameh yebaw. |
| Petticoat | Soomboo | Shin | Eenaw tungaw | Meekyee | Kalang yebaw. |
| Shoes | .. .. | Whyepteen | Khyapteen | Khynee | Khypteen. |
| Earring | Lakan | Pehwho | Kneechaw | Knockaw | Paywhoo. |
| Rice | Shat | How | Tsen | Dthapoo | Lakow. |
| Opium | Yeepyen | Phey | Yappingyen | Yappay | Yapping. |
| Serpent | Laboo | Moo | Mowee | Who | Hhan. |
| Frog | Shoo | Koap | Pāw | Oopah | .. .. |
| Grass | Nam | Yāh | Sieaw | Shi | Mat. |
| Tree | Poonsaw | Tonemai | Tsidsaing | Shidzee | Hoi. |
| Leaf | Poonlap | Mowmai | Skihow | Tsibeeyah | Phooan. |
| Wood | Poon | Mytsing | Shake | Tsidzee | Hoi. |
| Fish | Nga | Pa | Mushaw | Ngwa | Kā. |
| Cold | Kachee | Kat | Kamlai | Gyaddah | Kaw. |
| Warm | Katetai | Oonai | Poolai | Tsaddah | Myahcaeeai. |
| Ice | Tsin | Ghonlam | .. .. | .. .. | .. .. |
| Snow | Khen | Lie | .. .. | .. .. | .. .. |
| Rain | Marangto | Phoontoak | Mowrowbaw | Mahă | Qnoi. |
| Wind | Umboong | Loom | Ghli | Mayhee | Koo. |
| Thunder | Mahmoomooai | Phasowai | Mowrow | Mooggoo | Polong. |
| Lightning | Meeprap | Phamypai | Shapmyng | Bhyyeh | .. .. |
| Sky | Moo | Bhă | Annyow | Kneerueetchee | La. |
| Day | Sheenee | Khangwan | Knee | Myeemalaw | Tsungai. |
| Night | Shenah | Khanghŭm | Tmoot | Yeetah | Keisin. |
| Light | Shenee | Phalaing | Mowbowbaw | Kneeowmah | Qneh. |
| Darkness | Insin | Lapsing | Mowchootbaw | Nayaw | Tsaymawchoak. |
| Cloud | Soomoay | Moay | Hangeen | Mookoo | Mok. |
| River | Mereeha | Lamkew | Kaw | Yeegyah | Emhongfie. |
| Hill | Boom | Loiloo | Boom | Kneekee | Panang. |
| Insect | .. .. | Pieta | .. .. | Biddee | .. .. |
| Heart | Mashin | Hosow | .. .. | See | Hogiow. |
| Go | Samo | .. .. | Kawda | .. .. | .. .. |
| Eat | Shamo | .. .. | Kneeah | .. .. | .. .. |
| Sit | Domo | Laugda | Kneesh | .. .. | .. .. |
| Come | Wamo | Mada | .. .. | La | .. .. |
| Beat | Tookmo | Tainda | Tayda | .. .. | .. .. |
| Stand | Rotmo | Lookda | Yapda | Hatesa | .. .. |
| Lie | Karengmo | Einlengda | Ayda | Yeeta | Ee. |
| Die | Seesa | .. .. | .. .. | .. .. | .. .. |
| Call | Shegah | Ma | Lawah | Kooyay | Tayau. |
| Throw | Shedeng | Tim | Koondah | Law | Vuneh. |
| Drop | Hatsa | Toak | Tahyoudab | Tsayloho yeuk | Oonsayau. |
| Place | Sherah | Teayou | Anhedah | Takyah | .. .. |
| Lift | Ta | Yōng | Koobawdah | Qnaw | Tayan. |
| Pull | Rung | Teat | Shãybawdah | Gho | Tutanlaybeneen. |
| Smoke | Loo | Lŭt | Gnawsheubawdah | Yehbeckshe | Owkynowkuloak. |
| Love | Nheyrai | Hachlai | Nawnoilawdah | Nguanah | Owingau. |
| Hate | Neimcome | Hhanhau | Cachencachaw | Kneemahandau | Owchungkakai. |
| What is your name? | Nung meing ganging sagaieh | Nong day pay cainay | .. .. | .. .. | .. .. |
| How old is this horse? | Daiee comerang kadeh tinglaeh goon | .. .. | Myang honehyay mang laybounay | .. .. | .. .. |
| I do not know | Ngai inchengai | Cow mhahow shay | Ngaw masa | .. .. | .. .. |
| How far is it to Sanda? | Sanda mying kadeh sanai | Muang Sanda kai halow | Chanda quhonhay wenenay | .. .. | .. .. |
| It is a journey of one day | Intwey langai toosa | Lam wan qua tenglai | Tanyen samhet tah | .. .. | .. . |