- CA MRUASC C0003-0225-12
- Item
- [between 1880 and 1930]
File contains a leaf from a Burmese black parabaik, or folding-book manuscript, that contains tattoo designs, including: birds, tigers (one eating a person), flags, and an elaborate hti (a Burmese umbrella, an important religious symbol and marker of high social status). Tattooing was a traditional practice of several ethnic groups (including the Shan people) in Burma / Myanmar until the 20th century, and had cultural, religious, and magical significance. The accompanying text is likely in Burmese or Shan.
Parabaik are made of thick paper from the bark of the paper mulberry tree that is sometimes blackened with charcoal like this one, and then written on with a white steatite (soapstone) pencil. The paper is then folded accordion-style and bound with protective covers.