Shan States, of Burma by Olive Tornbjad

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 14, 1911

Shan States, of Burma

By Olive Tornbjad

It is now about two weeks since we arrived here with our household things, and we are stored away in camp until we can secure land for permanent use. I do not think a more ideal climate is to be found, and everything looks so beautiful since the rains. The villages here are noted for the bamboo, which is very pretty and graceful. The hill we have selected on which to build our home is of about 4,000 feet elevation, and has a rainfall of about 50 inches. In December, January, and February there are frequent frosts. The soil is very fertile, and the country rather sparsely settled, yet there are many large villages around. Heho, which is the market-place, has about 2,000 people; besides this there are a dozen villages in sight.

The people are a mixture of Shan and Burmese; they speak Burmese, or a dialect of Burmese, and read Burmese. They are more simple-minded and not so lazy as the Burmans. Some are almost as I judge they were one hundred years ago. When I first came, I was a great curiosity; as they had never seen a white woman before. There has never been any mission work done here, although the Baptists have a mission station only a few miles distant, with a native pastor in charge. As far as I can tell, the people are very favorable toward Christianity, although I understand that the Sawbwa, the native ruler, is a bigoted Buddhist; but he is very friendly toward our work. He is anxious that better methods of agriculture be taught his people, and he looks favorably on the medical work and the teaching of women. He and the English government officials have expressed themselves as pleased that we are here, and that they will help us along — that we are just where we are needed.

We arrived here on Tuesday, and were compelled to camp in our little two-room bamboo house. On Friday we got things partly straightened up, and announced there would be a Bible study Sabbath morning at nine o’clock. We threw mats down on the floor, and had our first Sabbath-school. Eighteen were present with us. Our lesson was Genesis I. Except one none had ever seen a Bible. It was a good day. Never did I feel that I needed the help of God more than I did that day as we bowed in prayer.

MRS. OLIVE TORNBJAD.