During the doing these variations out of divination the new Karen, like other primitive peoples, believe he’s peering to the field of brand new unseen but strong pushes one dominate the latest world. After they fail within their efforts despite positive omens, they think you to other electricity, opposed to the main one invoked, possess kept swing. The question then gets so you’re able to earn the favour and you will assistance of it even more important fuel inside their next promotion.

Chapter XXVIII – TABU

As one of the Polynesians and you will South Water Islanders, thus in addition to among the many Karen anybody, particular foods, pets, individuals, metropolitan areas, months, names, etcetera., are briefly or forever blocked around punishment away from an excellent curse falling upon those who disregard the tabu. One of many Karen for example prohibitions (“ta du ta htu”) try most often of this matrimony, adultery, births, widows and orphans, portents, signs of bad luck, crops, specific home-based pets, the fresh “Bgha” feasts, new labels out of persons, highest oceans, together with meeting out-of flowers having dyestuffs. The fresh new man’s fear of offending strong spirits and and so bringing calamity abreast of themselves, was at the underlying of all of the, if not completely, ones tabus, which serve to show the fact ancient kid will not accept broad standards of perform, but hinges on precepts covering certain enjoy within his life. Whenever requested as to the reasons they don’t do the tabued acts, very Karens articles by themselves to your reply, “Ta t’ ghe ba” (That isn’t a good). The new observation of those prohibitions, which can be usually followed closely by certain sacrifices or offerings, is a matter of individualized who’s descended from former generations.

It is clear that every of your own tabus is linked to brand new domestic lifestyle and work of the people

Merely in a few occasions are they concerned about interests distinctly tribal. It was earlier the brand new custom one of several Red-colored Karen towards mothers from possible chiefs of one’s group, and for the chiefs on their own, so you’re able to prevent using rice and you will alcoholic beverages.[28-1] The fresh tabu toward eating off rice from the these individuals are tough to define; however, we all know that the Reddish Karen play with grain faster extensively compared to populace of flatlands, yams or any other root constituting a fundamental piece of its diet. The fresh idea has been made that the tabu towards the liquor ingesting because of the chiefs and their moms and dads, is actually for the true purpose of creating new clarity away from notice so fashionable about management of group; but it’s truer to declare that they think that from the ascetic methods it’s possible to obtain uncommon vitality–maybe enchanting–sometimes getting your self or, when it comes to the principle, getting their someone. In the event the Purple Karen chiefs noticed the tabus they prospered, however when they ignored him or her it sustained hardship, it’s alleged.

Marriage out-of an effective Karen having a guy of another race are earlier strictly taboo. It exclusiveness remaining the fresh racial inventory sheer and you will unmixed. Nowadays the new ban hasn’t been rigorously implemented. And that, new barriers within Karen on one-hand as well as the Burmese and you may Shan on the other side was basically a little weakened, betokening–it ought to escort service Dallas be admitted–an ethical looseness that has been unknown in advance of. New village parents constantly handled one marriages beyond your tribe (“taw leu hko”) just weren’t a, regardless if for example unions haven’t been lately tabued. age group or of the same town, offering the parties concerned are not a great deal more directly related than simply cousins, are allowed. So you can get married a relative nearer than just a sibling would be incest, and all this new tribes prohibit including unions. On the day from a marriage inside the a town the fresh new inhabitants is taboo so you’re able to labor.