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58 MÆT LANKA

The evocation of a journey in a far country titillates the narrator, but he does not
forget for all his peasant roots.

« The country of Lanka is lucky, bigger and more attractive than ours,
My wife and beloved children will be surprised that I give much praise.
I want to talk about the atmosphere just before the onset of Lent,

Where the rain water, humidity and mist permeate the roofs of houses. » (Verse 5)

As in most of the versified narratives, the narrator discovers that he has a poet’s
soul. It is a common feature in Lao and Tai literature of the Indo-Chinese Peninsula, and
we find it here, in this Khün line :

The burning rays of the sun, that make us suffer so much,
Are hidden by huge clouds, but they get to pass through.
A struggle opposes them and the clouds are driven by the wind.

Raindrops keep falling between the periods of sunshine and both sides are at par.
(Verse 6)

The sunset is an ideal moment for courtship and love. The boys go to the houses
of the girls for flirting. Throughout the verbal sparring, each tries to see where goes the
heart of his beloved one.

At night, the moon and stars cover the land with their light,
Young men go to the girls to indulge in amorous jousting.
They know that Lent is over and the candles blow out.
If you ask them questions, they answer that they are only following tradition.
(Verse 7)

The fact of living in peace and serenity makes it possible for inhabitants of
Keng Tung not only to attend to their activities but also to improve their Karma.

The principality of Keng Tung was ruled
By the Prince and Nang Devi, his gracious wife,
1
Under the tutelage of Europeans and the protection of the Triple Gem ,
Allowing people to live happily and perform good deeds. (Verse 9)

We are in a farming community. Field work held an important place in daily life,
but once the task is done, there is sufficient time for a Khün to serve the country.

1
The Three Jewels, or The Triple Gem (Tiratana in Pæli), refer to the Buddha, the Dhamma, and
the Holy Saßgha, the Buddhist community.