SHENDOO, a Burmese tribe, who call them selves Heu-ina, and dwell in the mountains north of Arakan. The Khyoung-tlia, or children of the river, are of Anikanese origin, speak the old Arakan dialect, and conform to Buddhist customs. The Toung-tha, or children of the hills, are of mixed origin, if indeed they are not aborigines of the country. They speak numerous dialects, and worship the deities of the elements and spirits of the Mils and streams. The Shendoo occupy the very remote mountainous country at the heads of the several rivers. They are said to comprise twelve powerful clans, whose habitations extend from the Blue Mountain to Cachar and Burma proper. They arc much feared, but little or nothing is known respecting them. Captain Lewin describes them as much taller than °mini hillmen, and of much fairer complexion ; and the faces of those he saw bore no signs of that Mongolian type of physiognomy which generally prevails amongst the Toung-tha tribes. Both inales and females are more decorous in their dress than the other hill tribes, and field labour rut a general rule is performed only by the men, and never by the women, excepting in the case of poverty. The Shendoo possess muskets which do
not appear to be of European manufacture ; the stocks are painte4 red, black, and yellow, and are highly varnished. Their powder-flasks are made of gyal horns, and arc polished and beautifully inlaid with silver and ivory. Captain Hughes, in charge of the Arakan hill tribes, writing in 1872, mentioned that they have no Ka-rni, or Koo-inee, or Quay-ince ; Koon, or Mru. 'rhe Shendoo tribe divides itself into five or six branches, who each speak a different dialect, the most powerful of whom are the Shaing Tee and Tna-krai-mi, the latter approaching Burma proper, Chyn or Khyn. Dr. Mason never before A.D. 1872 heard of the Tee and Tna-krai-mi, but thought it probable the names only are new.—Dr. Mason in literis.