A Burmese wonderland; a tale of travel in Lower and ... - Khamkoo

CHAPTER
XXII.
Many Inventions.
The names of places in Burma are inexhaustable
material for speculation. Their often charming significance,
whether obvious or delightfully mysterious,
casts a spell upon the land. These names are store
houses of history and legend, where fancy is given rein,
and wherein survive the ghosts of heroes, and dim
memories of half forgotten incidents. So you get a
whole series of village names in one area derived from
the exploits of kings, soldiers and hunters. We have
already had several examples. Thus live the deeds of
Nga Sin, Htilat, Tint De, Anawratta, Kyanzittha and
U Yin Gyi.
U Yin Gyi strayed, and on his violin
Charmed Goddesses who fell in love with him.
While vainly sought for him and wept alone,
His mother, in the Bice Shop of
Pyapon.^
Now centuries have passed. A Nat is he
To whom the Delta people bow the knee.
Rice, without meat, on trays, is offered him
On Lent-end festivals at Maubin.
Another class of names is poetical, like Hnget Taik
(Bird's Nest) : Neikban (Paradise) : and
Eanthawaddy
^ Pyapon is a Talaing word, meaning Rice Shop, and is named in
memory of U Yin Gyi's mother.