Burma blues from a buzzing Orient

Filmed during the Morden Expedition to Africa and Asia, 1922-1924. This is a William James Morden film of Burmese dancers performing a pwe, a drama or dance with dialogue, in Mandalay on the Irrawaddy River. The performance takes place on mats before a pagoda. The principal musical instruments are eighteen drums, of varying sizes, encircling a performer who beats them with his hands. A circle of brass gongs is played by another musician. Both the gongs and the drums sit within separate elaborately carved enclosures, kyi-waing and saing-waing, respectively. Five larger drums, cymbals (ya-gwin), bamboo clap sticks (wa-likot) and a primitive clarinet (hne) all contribute to the musical ensemble we cannot hear. The beauty of the dance is enhanced by the performers' costumes: tight white skirts (tamein), tight fitting lace jackets with brocaded wings, and lovely jewelry.