mm
cdnVeöty ‘6ftl46t l s ;a töii^W:£lt''y- resident, or with' a viëVttoföfcffe conse
cratie®* hik ®f rice, preserves, fruit,
fans, aishïön|s mats, and household üfen’sils. On an appointed day he
parades the ■streets, dressed in yeftow, and mounted on a horse richly
caparisoned, led b y tw o servants: a band of tnusic goes before, and a
party of Rhahaans encircleMm: his male friends ■ follow in a troop, and
the females of their families bring up the rear, the latter carrying on their
heads the offerings m eant for: the .Rhahaans. Thus they proceed to the
con vent of which the novice is tó; become a member, where he is presented
in form to the senior'of-the brotherhood. Tins ceremony is yep'eaèèd three
times, and at «SA .perambufation-heshpresents are to be provided. • **
The kioums or convents ofthe Rhaliaans are different in their structure
from common houses, and much resemble -the architecture of the Chinese;
they are made entirely of wood; 'the roof is composed of different stages,
supported g i l strong pillars 1 the inside comprehends one < large hall; the
whole house, is open at the sides: Sömë are curiously Carved with various
symbolic representations of-the divinity. There are no apartments for the
private recreation of the Rhahaans ; publicity is'th e 'prevailing system
of Birman conduct; they admit of no secrets either in church or-state.
From -the many-convents in the neighbourhood of Rangoon , the number
of Rhahaans and ‘Phonghis* must be very considerable ; I was told it exceeded
1500. This estimate must include those in ' their novitiate. Like
the Carmelites, they go barefooted, and have their heads close shaven, on
which they never wear any-covering.
Yellow is the only colour worn by the priesthood ; they have a long
loose clöke, which they wrap -round them «o its to cover most p a rt of the
* The inferior order of priests, Vulgarly called Tallapoins.