The Royal Sacred Hairy Family of Burma: Human Difference and Biocultural Empire in the Nineteenth Century

The document describes a historical encounter in 1886 between an English engineer and a Burmese passenger named Maung Po Set on a steamer to England. Maung Po Set, along with his family, exhibited an unusual pattern of hair growth covering their faces and bodies, which made their presence noteworthy. This encounter occurred shortly after the fall of King Thibaw of the Konbaung dynasty, which ruled over regions now known as Myanmar, Thailand, Bangladesh, and India. The narrative highlights a moment of cultural exchange and curiosity amidst the backdrop of colonial transitions.