Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 2 1884.djvu/97

 BURMESE ORDEALS.

N a lecture by Mr. R. H. Pilcher, C.S., before the Institute, I find the following about Burma. The oath ordeal is often proposed by one of the parties to a suit themselves. The Burmese are a very religious people, and regard an oath with some dread. They are not litigious or quarrelsome, and thus A often says "If B will swear to his version of the story I will be satisfied."

There are three other forms of ordeal. In one, two candles, one for each party, of equal size, and with equally thick wicks, are solemnly burnt on an altar, or in a temple, and the party is worsted whose candle goes out first.

In another each man's forefinger is wrapped round with feathers, so as to leave the tip exposed. The forefingers are plunged into molten lead, and then tied up for a few days. If one party is injured and the other is not, the former loses. If there is difficulty in deciding which is the more hurt the fingers are pricked, and the flow of serum from the one finger and not from the other determines the point.

The third kind of ordeal is by water. The two parties go into sufficiently deep water, and their heads are pushed down with poles. He wins who can remain under longest.

It is in these days allowed to undergo this (and I suppose other ordeals) by deputy, a permission which seems to detract not a little from their value. But indeed they are not often resorted to.