The Mon of Lower Burma (Journal of the Siam Society) (original) (raw)

Soas Bulletin of Burma Research

2003

Welcome to the fourth issue of the SOAS Bulletin of Burma Research, completing our second volume. The letter below includes some comments on the present issue and on those to come. Current Issue Theme: Early Italians in Burma Readers may note that in the previous issue (1.2, Autumn 2003), the SBBR published the account of the Gaspero Balbi, an early Italian traveller to Burma/Myanmar. Given the early importance of such Italian accounts, we have reproduced here five other early Italian accounts, along with a substantial editorial introduction to the De' Conti account by Kennon Breazeale (East-West Center). This is by no means an exhaustive compilation. Italian accounts continue until the end of the precolonial period, including Tarsillo Barberis' Five Years in Burma, providing an inside look at the kingdom before the fall of Thibaw's court at the hands of British forces in 1885. Thus, there may be another special issue devoted to this subject in the future. In any event, the SBBR will continue to concentrate on certain themes, such as the emphasis on English accounts of Burma in the next issue. Unlike most special issues, however, material in each issue will not be limited to such themes. Thus, in this issue, for example, the Italian accounts are followed by those of Portuguese, French, and other travellers. Changes Over the past two years we have experimented with a number of different formats and features. The present format will serve as our standard model for later editions. If you have looked at the cover on-screen or downloaded it from our website (http://web.soas.ac.uk/burma/index.htm), you will note a more 'traditional' journal cover, while still incorporating a photograph of Burmese/Myanmar life. Certainly, any comments on the new cover style would be appreciated

On the Peoples and Cultures of the Kingdom of Burma by John Crawfurd

2005

The extensive area of the Burman territory is inhabited by many distinct nations, or tribes, of whom I have heard not less than eighteen enumerated. The most considerable of these are the proper Burmans, the Peguans or Talains, the Shans or people of Lao, the Cassay, or more correctly Kathé, the Zabaing, the Karian, correctly called Karens, the Kyens, the Yo, and the Lawà. These are numerous and civilized, nearly in the order in which I have enumerated them. Differing as they do in language, and often in manners, customs, and religion, they have, with distinctions not always perceptible to a stranger, the same physical type. This is the common type of all the tribes which lie between Hindostan and China. In this respect they differ widely from the Chinese and Hindoos, and approach more nearly to the Malays, although from these also they differ so considerably, that even a stranger may distinguish them without difficulty. Taking the Burmans for this character, they may be described as of a short, stout, and active, but still well-proportioned form. Their complexion is never of an intense black, but commonly brown. The hair of the head, like that brought to you by CORE View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk

The Bibliography of Burma (Myanmar) Research: The Secondary Literature

2004

Michael Walter Charney (comp.) 1 School of Oriental and African Studies "The 'Living' Bibliography of Burma Studies: The Secondary Literature" was first published in 2001, with the last update dated 26 April 2003. The SOAS Bulletin of Burma Research has been expanded to include a special bibliographic supplement this year, and every other year hereafter, into which additions and corrections to the bibliography will be incorporated. In the interim, each issue of the SOAS Bulletin of Burma Research will include a supplemental list, arranged by topic and subtopic. Readers are encouraged to contact the SOAS Bulletin of Burma Research with information about their publications, hopefully with a reference to a topic and sub-topic number for each entry, so that new information can be inserted into the bibliography correctly. References should be submitted in the form followed by the bibliography, using any of the entries as an example. Please note that any particular entry will only be included once, regardless of wider relevance. Eventually, all entries will be cross-listed to indicate other areas where a particular piece of research might be of use. This list has been compiled chiefly from direct surveys of the literature with additional information supplied by the bibliographies of numerous and various sources listed in the present bibliography. Additional sources include submissions from members of the BurmaResearch (including the former Earlyburma) and SEAHTP egroups, as well as public domain listings of personal publications on the internet. Please also note that newspaper and newsletter articles, encyclopedia articles, conference papers, and papers in progress will not be included in this list, as most are short pieces or extracts from already, or eventually to be, published works. M. W. C. DISCLAIMER: This bibliography is solely intended as a guide or survey to the literature. No claim is made for the accuracy or completeness of the information provided in this bibliography. The information provided is intended only as an initial survey of the literature. This compiler does not accept any responsibility for problems resulting from the use of the information provided. All information should be verified elsewhere. 1 Significant help was provided by numerous readers of the SOAS Bulletin of Burma Research.and members of the BurmaResearch, SEAHTP, and former EarlyBurma e-lists. CORE Metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk

Burmese and Mon Foundation Myths

This is the introductory chapter to Sacred Sites of Burma: Myths and Folklore in an Evolving Spiritual Realm (River Books, 2nd edition, 2015), pp. 16-39. The complete book (divided into separate pdfs for each chapter) is also posted on my page at Academia.edu.