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BIRMAH. 73
such as live in the coldest countries ever acquire the
clear bloom of the European.* In common with all
the Indo-Chinese races, in their shape and stature,
square features, elongated eyes, yellow complexion,
and lank locks, they bear a strong resemblance to the
Mongol tribes. The Birmans have a tradition, that
a colony of Mongols once arrived in their country,
amounting in number to 700,000 men capable of
bearing arms.f Such traditions, however, serve only
to prove, that the original stock of these nations must
have occupied these regions from time immemorial.
In Indo- China, as in Hindostan and in Egypt, remains
of an indigenous race, of widely different
character, are found occupying the recesses of the
mountain ridges which stretch throughout the whole
empire. Among these, one of the most remarkable
are the Kiayns or Kayns, who extend over the moun-
tainous and woody tract lying between Bengal,
Arracan, Ava, and Cassay. They call themselves
Koloun. Many of them, since the conquest of Arracan
by the Birmans, have been induced to quit the mountains,
and settle in the
"
plains. They speak a dialect
peculiar to themselves, and appear distinct from all
the surrounding tribes. They are remarkable for
simple, honest industry and inoffensive manners, accompanied
by the rudest notions respecting religion.
They have no idea of a place of future reward and
punishment, and deny the existence of sin in their
country. They burn their dead, and collect the ashes, I
which, after certain ceremonies, are carried to a place
* Asiat. Res., vol. v. p. 220.
t Probably this refers to the conquest of Mien by the great khan,
mentioned by Marco Polo.
I This is a Tatar custom, and still prevails among the people of
Tibet and in Yun-nan. P. GerbiJJon says, that even the Chinese
sometimes adopt it. See MARSDEN'S Marco Polo, note 328,
PART 1
I. F