In Farthest Burma; The Record of an Arduous Journey of Exploration and Research Through the Unknown Frontier Territory of Burma and Tibet

by Francis Kingdon Ward

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1921 ...probably of natural origin, and bearing some resemblance to the human penis, had been stuck in the ground at the entrance to the village. In the Maru hut too the ends of the long beams which project into the porch are finished off in a manner which might be taken to represent the penis, while on the cross-beams snakes and the head of some horned animal, whether deer, goat or fabulous monster it is difficult to say, are frequently carved. It would be interesting to know if these things have any connection with the Bon religion of Tibet, a system of phallic worship. The most callow carving is also to be seen at the graves, which are curious. The dead are burned, and the ashes buried in a circular mound surrounded by a trench two feet deep. Over the mound is raised a conical, straw-thatched roof, and tall bamboo poles bear aloft sign-boards on which are carved human figures, birds, snakes eating each other, and heads with horns. From the summit of the next spur we caught a glimpse of the 'Nmai hka to the north, several thousand feet below us, but this distant view gave us no idea of its size. With its endless procession of precipitous razor-backed spurs, divided by deep gullies filled with rich vegetation, it closely resembles the valleys of the Mekong and Salween in north-west Yun-nan--it would be difficult to tell from a photograph which was which, though the dryness of the Mekong valley and consequent poverty of vegetation would be sufficient to identify it. A terrific descent brought us to a big torrent crossed by a cane suspension bridge, and then came the usual long climb up to the village. Already three adventurous Marus, desiring to see something of the world, had attached themselves permanently to our party, thus swelling our numbers to eight. This wa...

76 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Valerie Suwanseree · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting account that reflects some of the colonial mindset of the times and describes the landscape and part of the natural history, if not illuminating much about the people who live there (besides their costumes).

[Carol Collins]

1921, maps and illustrations, first edition