[A Yawyin woman and a baby] (Researcher's notes in brackets) Photograph of James Henry Green taken in the 1920s. Yawyin was a term that was sometimes used in relation to Lisu peoples. It was considered an insult by Lisu peoples themselves and was never employed when talking about oneself.
'The women wear either a large turban, or a sort of gay head wrap, ornamented with tassels. They dress in a blue long tailed coat, shorts and gaiters, with a long apron in front, and are plentifully decorated with patched of green, yellow and red cloth' [dissertation, 1934:261].
*****'After child birth a mother does no work for twenty days. Children are named by the elders three days after birth, but the name then given is never used again until time of death. Its use causes great offence and most Lisus would refuse to give it themselves during their lifetime. Ordinary names are given in order of birth. The male names being Ah Hpu, Ah Tu, Ah Ke, Ah Su, Ah Ti, Ah Hpyi, Ah Yu and Ah Ge. The female - Ah Na, Ah Nyi, Ah Du, Ah Hku, Ah Hye, Ah Ta, Ah Ni and Za Hku. Upon marriage a man adds the syllable Pa - man - to his name. Lisus generally object to giving their names, but do not mind a friend giving it for them. At the time of birth the mother places nine necklaces round the neck of a boy and seven in the case of a female' [dissertation, 1934:257].
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