Leke script : the "chicken scratch" script of Pwo Karen

The Leke script is a writing system designed for Eastern Pwo Karen. It is primarily used by the followers of the Leke religion. Owing to its distinctive shapes, it is also called the “chicken scratch” script. Created in the mid-19th century, the script reflects the Eastern Pwo Karen phonological system of the time. This article elucidates the system of the Leke script by demonstrating its correspondence with the Eastern Pwo Karen phonological system of the 19th century. The analysis reveals that the Leke script is capable of accurately representing the phonological system of both 19th-century Eastern Pwo Karen and contemporary Eastern Pwo Karen.