QUEER NOTIONS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 2479, 3 May 1909, Page 1

QUEER NOTIONS.

Mr. W R, Hillif.r, of the East Judi*l Civil Service, has written a very curious monograph of the manners and customs of the Shan States. When a Shan becomes a father, it is considered highly undesirable that he should drive pigs, carry the dead# tore holes, fill in holes in the ground, of indulge in mockery. “If either sex,” writes Mr. Hillier, ** dif without marrying, the body, before burial# is banged against a stump, which fa at the time considered as representing the husband or wife," —a ceremony which is supposed to guard against the danger of unrequited affection in the next stage of existence. Marriage is simplicity itself. A young man takes a fancy to a young lady, and if thq liking is reciprocated, she straightway accompanies him to his house as his wife: Next day the young man’s parents meet the parents of the young lady, and after informing them of what has taken place, beg lb?t "they may be forgiven for the inUm&ion,” and ask that a day be fixed for the wedding. This request being granted—and apparently a refusal is not contemplated-* die young lady returns to her parents. Divorce is easy also, the man merely giving his wite a letter permitting her to remarry. and the wife merely being required to pay an unwilling husband thirty rupee* for release from an uncongenial mate. As to tood, the Shan is not an epicure, eating everything ‘hat is eatable; and, indeed, it is conside.ed quite becoming, if b* only be of high rank, to devour an enemy. This privilege, however, is accorded only ta Bohs, or chiefs. The Shan theory of th* cosmogony is that “ the earth came out oI the depths by meajis. of white ant*-” ■ —"" • — 1 * * ...#• #* -W f ' 'V v ' -f-