The Mon women of Siam usually wear the hair long and
twisted into chignon at the back of the head. It is quite
different from the Burmese style. The Burmese women coil
it in a different way and have it more on the top of the head.
They also wear the ganin, though it differs somewhat from
the Burmese tameing. As the women in Siam bear burdens
on the shoulder instead of on the head as in Burma, the
carriage is different. A tight-fitting jacket is also worn,
white for festive occasions and dark for working wear.
Tattooing.
The Talaings in Siam do not tattoo, whilst the practice is
universal in Talaing villages in Burma. It is quite evidently
of Burmese origin and was in the days of the old voyagers
one of the marks which distinguished the Burmese from the
Talaings. In Siam the little tattooing which is sometimes
seen is done by wandering tattooers from Burma and is only
very partial. In Talaing villages in Burma there is always a
professional tattooer. It will thus appear that the Talaing as
he is seen in Burma is entirely Burmese in his dress and
appearance. Hence the difficulty of distinguishing him from
the Burmese.
Weapons.
