The morning meal is eaten at about nine

o'clock, the other before dark. Meals are

taken by the household in common. The

housewife or daughter gets mats ready in the

kyannHng and places in the centre a byat — a

large, deep, wooden platter, lacquered red —

into which she turns out the cooked rice {tainhi).
In the middle of the rice is set a bowl with the

curry and a spoon. The family squat round

the byat, or if a large household round several. '''■ '^*"' ;°te™' °"'"'°-




DOMESTIC WORK



65







140. FETCHING IN FUEL.
In the villages the passing tra-
veller is invited to join in the
meal. Everyone in turn ladles
gravy from the bowl on the rice
in front of him and mixes and
eats it with his fingers. Before
and after eating, mouth and fin-
gers are rinsed. After the meal
a drink of water is taken. Fruit
is eaten after meals and at odd
times. The importation of delf
crockery and enamelled ware has
been going on for a long time.
Betel (kun) is taken at all
times except at meals, and to-
bacco is smoked by men, women, and children (No. 21). The betel-box plays
the same part in Burman sociality as the snuff-box still does in parts of Europe.
