Nat (spirit)
Encyclopedia
The nats are spirits worshipped in Burma (or Myanmar) in conjunction with Buddhism
. They are divided between the 37 Great Nats and all the rest (i.e., spirits of trees, water, etc.). Almost all of the 37 Great Nats were human beings who met violent deaths . They may thus also be called nat sein . It is important to note that the word 'sein', while meaning 'green', is being used to mean 'raw' in this context. There are however two types of nats in Burmese Buddhist belief.
Nat spirits are termed lower nats or auk nats , whether named or unnamed, whereas ahtet nats or higher nat dewas
inhabit the six heavens. Much like sainthood, nats can be designated for a variety of reasons, including those only known in certain regions in Burma. Nat worship is less common in urban areas than in rural areas, and is practised among ethnic minorities as well as in the mainstream Bamar
society. It is however among the Buddhist Bamar that the most highly developed form of ceremony and ritual is seen.
Every Burmese village has a nat sin which essentially serves as a shrine to the village guardian nat called the ywa saung nat . An offertory coconut is often hung on the main southeast post in the house, wearing a gaung baung (headdress) and surrounded by perfume, as an offering to the Min Mahagiri (Lord of the Great Mountain), also known as the ein dwin or ein saung (house guardian) nat. One may inherit a certain member or in some instances two of the 37 Nats as mi hsaing hpa hsaing from one or both parents' side to worship depending on where their families originally come from. One also has a personal guardian spirit called ko saung nat .
Some disagreement in fact exists in academic circles as to whether Burmese Buddhism and Burmese spirit worship are two separate entities or just different dimensions of a single entity. Many Burmese themselves would say it is merely superstition and tend to downplay its role in society. Since the institution of the official 37 Nats was founded by King Anawrahta
(1044–1077) of Bagan
, albeit with later alterations, it has been argued that this may be interpreted as a process of Burmanisation and establishment of Bamar supremacy in the Irrawaddy
valley after the unification of the country and founding of the First Burmese Empire was achieved by the king.
Worship of nats predates Buddhism in Burma. With the arrival of Buddhism, however, the nats were merged, syncretistically, with Buddhism.
The widespread traditional belief among rural folks that there are forest guardian spirits called taw saung nats and mountain guardian spirits called taung saung nats appears to act as a deterrent against environmental destruction up to a point. Indiscriminate felling particularly of large trees is generally eschewed owing to the belief that they are dwellings of tree spirits called yokkazo and that such an act would bring the wrath of the nat upon the perpetrator.
The most important nat pilgrimage site in Burma is Mount Popa
, an extinct volcano with numerous temples and relic sites atop a mountain 1300 metres, located near Bagan
in central Burma. The annual festival is held on the full moon of Natdaw
(December). Taungbyone, north of Mandalay
, is another major site with the festival held each year starting on the eleventh waxing day and including the full moon in the month of Wagaung
(August). Yadanagu at Amarapura
, held a week later in honour of Popa Medaw (Mother of Popa), who was the mother of the Taungbyone Min Nyinaung (Brother Lords), is also a popular nat festival.
Nats have human characteristics, wants, and needs. They are flawed, having desires considered derogatory and immoral in mainstream Buddhism. During a nat pwè, which is a festival during which nats are propitiated, nat kadaws (nat mistresses or mediums) dance and embody the nat's spirit in a trance. The roles of nat kadaws are sometimes fulfilled by transvestite men. Music, often accompanied by a saing waing (orchestra), adds much to the mood of the nat pwè, and many claim to be entranced. People come from far and near to take part in the festivities in various nat shrines called nat kun or nat naan, get drunk on palm toddy
and dance wildly in fits of ecstasy to the wild beat of the saing music, convinced that they have become possessed by the nats.
Whereas nat pwes are annual events celebrating a particular member of the 37 Nats regarded as the tutelary spirit in a local region within a local community, with familial custodians of the place and tradition and with royal sponsorship in ancient times, hence evocative of royal rituals, there are also nat kannah pwes where individuals would have a pavilion set up in a neighbourhood and the ritual is generally linked to the entire pantheon of nats. The nat kadaws as an independent profession made their appearance in the latter half of the 19th C as spirit mediums, and nat kannahs are more of an urban phenomenon which evolved to satisfy the need of people who had migrated from the countryside to towns and cities but who wished to carry on their traditions or yo-ya of supplicating the mi hsaing hpa hsaing tutelary spirit of their native place.
King Anawrahta
of Bagan (1044–1077) designated an official pantheon of 37 Nats, after he had failed to enforce a ban on nat worship. His stratagem of incorporation by bringing the nats to his Shwezigon Pagoda
in positions of worshipping the Buddha, and by enlisting Thagya Min
at the head of the pantheon above the Mahagiri nats, eventually succeeded. Seven out of the 37 Nats appear to be directly associated with the life and times of Anawrahta. The official pantheon is made up predominantly of those from the royal houses of Burmese history, but also contains nats of Thai
(Yun Bayin) and Shan
(Maung Po Tu) descent; illustrations of them show them in Burmese royal dress. Listed in proper order, they are:
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
. They are divided between the 37 Great Nats and all the rest (i.e., spirits of trees, water, etc.). Almost all of the 37 Great Nats were human beings who met violent deaths . They may thus also be called nat sein . It is important to note that the word 'sein', while meaning 'green', is being used to mean 'raw' in this context. There are however two types of nats in Burmese Buddhist belief.
Nat spirits are termed lower nats or auk nats , whether named or unnamed, whereas ahtet nats or higher nat dewas
Deva (Buddhism)
A deva in Buddhism is one of many different types of non-human beings who share the characteristics of being more powerful, longer-lived, and, in general, living more contentedly than the average human being....
inhabit the six heavens. Much like sainthood, nats can be designated for a variety of reasons, including those only known in certain regions in Burma. Nat worship is less common in urban areas than in rural areas, and is practised among ethnic minorities as well as in the mainstream Bamar
Bamar
The Bamar are the dominant ethnic group of Burma , constituting approximately two-thirds of the population. The Bamar live primarily in the Irrawaddy basin, and speak the Burmese language, which is also the official language of Burma. Bamar customs and identity are closely intertwined with general...
society. It is however among the Buddhist Bamar that the most highly developed form of ceremony and ritual is seen.
Every Burmese village has a nat sin which essentially serves as a shrine to the village guardian nat called the ywa saung nat . An offertory coconut is often hung on the main southeast post in the house, wearing a gaung baung (headdress) and surrounded by perfume, as an offering to the Min Mahagiri (Lord of the Great Mountain), also known as the ein dwin or ein saung (house guardian) nat. One may inherit a certain member or in some instances two of the 37 Nats as mi hsaing hpa hsaing from one or both parents' side to worship depending on where their families originally come from. One also has a personal guardian spirit called ko saung nat .
Nat worship and Buddhism
Anawrahta
Anawrahta Minsaw was the founder of the Pagan Empire. Considered the father of the Burmese nation, Anawrahta turned a small principality in the dry zone of Upper Burma into the first Burmese Empire that formed the basis of modern-day Burma...
(1044–1077) of Bagan
Bagan
Bagan , formerly Pagan, is an ancient city in the Mandalay Region of Burma. Formally titled Arimaddanapura or Arimaddana and also known as Tambadipa or Tassadessa , it was the capital of several ancient kingdoms in Burma...
, albeit with later alterations, it has been argued that this may be interpreted as a process of Burmanisation and establishment of Bamar supremacy in the Irrawaddy
Ayeyarwady
Ayeyarwady can mean:*Irrawaddy River, the primary river of Myanmar*Ayeyarwady Region, an administrative division of Myanmar...
valley after the unification of the country and founding of the First Burmese Empire was achieved by the king.
Worship of nats predates Buddhism in Burma. With the arrival of Buddhism, however, the nats were merged, syncretistically, with Buddhism.
Nat worship and ecology
Popular nat festivals
Mount Popa
Mount Popa is a volcano 1518 metres above sea level, and located in central Burma about southeast of Bagan in the Pegu Range. It can be seen from the River Ayeyarwady as far away as in clear weather. Mount Popa is perhaps best known for the nearby stunningly picturesque Popa Taungkalat...
, an extinct volcano with numerous temples and relic sites atop a mountain 1300 metres, located near Bagan
Bagan
Bagan , formerly Pagan, is an ancient city in the Mandalay Region of Burma. Formally titled Arimaddanapura or Arimaddana and also known as Tambadipa or Tassadessa , it was the capital of several ancient kingdoms in Burma...
in central Burma. The annual festival is held on the full moon of Natdaw
Traditional Burmese calendar
The traditional Burmese calendar is a lunisolar calendar based on both the phases of the moon and the motion of the sun. Within each month of the Burmese calendar, a major festival, often Burmese Buddhist in nature, is held...
(December). Taungbyone, north of Mandalay
Mandalay
Mandalay is the second-largest city and the last royal capital of Burma. Located north of Yangon on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River, the city has a population of one million, and is the capital of Mandalay Region ....
, is another major site with the festival held each year starting on the eleventh waxing day and including the full moon in the month of Wagaung
Traditional Burmese calendar
The traditional Burmese calendar is a lunisolar calendar based on both the phases of the moon and the motion of the sun. Within each month of the Burmese calendar, a major festival, often Burmese Buddhist in nature, is held...
(August). Yadanagu at Amarapura
Amarapura
Amarapura is a former capital of Myanmar, and now a township of Mandalay. Amarapura is bounded by the Ayeyarwady river in the west, Chanmyathazi township in the north, and the city of Innwa in the south...
, held a week later in honour of Popa Medaw (Mother of Popa), who was the mother of the Taungbyone Min Nyinaung (Brother Lords), is also a popular nat festival.
Nats have human characteristics, wants, and needs. They are flawed, having desires considered derogatory and immoral in mainstream Buddhism. During a nat pwè, which is a festival during which nats are propitiated, nat kadaws (nat mistresses or mediums) dance and embody the nat's spirit in a trance. The roles of nat kadaws are sometimes fulfilled by transvestite men. Music, often accompanied by a saing waing (orchestra), adds much to the mood of the nat pwè, and many claim to be entranced. People come from far and near to take part in the festivities in various nat shrines called nat kun or nat naan, get drunk on palm toddy
Palm wine
Palm wine also called Palm Toddy also called "Kallu" written in Malayalam and கள்ளு in Tamil or simply Toddy is an alcoholic beverage created from the sap of various species of palm tree such as the palmyra, and coconut palms...
and dance wildly in fits of ecstasy to the wild beat of the saing music, convinced that they have become possessed by the nats.
Whereas nat pwes are annual events celebrating a particular member of the 37 Nats regarded as the tutelary spirit in a local region within a local community, with familial custodians of the place and tradition and with royal sponsorship in ancient times, hence evocative of royal rituals, there are also nat kannah pwes where individuals would have a pavilion set up in a neighbourhood and the ritual is generally linked to the entire pantheon of nats. The nat kadaws as an independent profession made their appearance in the latter half of the 19th C as spirit mediums, and nat kannahs are more of an urban phenomenon which evolved to satisfy the need of people who had migrated from the countryside to towns and cities but who wished to carry on their traditions or yo-ya of supplicating the mi hsaing hpa hsaing tutelary spirit of their native place.
List of official nats
Anawrahta
Anawrahta Minsaw was the founder of the Pagan Empire. Considered the father of the Burmese nation, Anawrahta turned a small principality in the dry zone of Upper Burma into the first Burmese Empire that formed the basis of modern-day Burma...
of Bagan (1044–1077) designated an official pantheon of 37 Nats, after he had failed to enforce a ban on nat worship. His stratagem of incorporation by bringing the nats to his Shwezigon Pagoda
Shwezigon Pagoda
The Shwezigon Pagoda or Shwezigon Paya is a Buddhist temple located in Nyaung-U, a town near Bagan, in Burma . It is a prototype of Burmese stupas, and consists of a circular gold leaf-gilded stupa surrounded by smaller temples and shrines...
in positions of worshipping the Buddha, and by enlisting Thagya Min
Sakra
Śakra or Sakka is the ruler of the Heaven according to Buddhist cosmology. His full title is |deva]]s". In Buddhist texts, Śakra is the proper name and not an epithet of this deity; conversely, Indra in Sanskrit and Inda in Pali are sometimes used as an epithet for Śakra as "lord".In East...
at the head of the pantheon above the Mahagiri nats, eventually succeeded. Seven out of the 37 Nats appear to be directly associated with the life and times of Anawrahta. The official pantheon is made up predominantly of those from the royal houses of Burmese history, but also contains nats of Thai
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
(Yun Bayin) and Shan
Shan State
Shan State is a state of Burma . Shan State borders China to the north, Laos to the east, and Thailand to the south, and five administrative divisions of Burma in the west. Largest of the 14 administrative divisions by land area, Shan State covers 155,800 km², almost a quarter of the total...
(Maung Po Tu) descent; illustrations of them show them in Burmese royal dress. Listed in proper order, they are:
|
Medaw Shwezaga Medaw Shwezaga is one of the 37 nats in the Burmese pantheon of nats. She was the mother of Shwe Sitpin, and died of heartbreak over the sorrowful plight of her son. She is portrayed sitting on a pedestal with her right hand on her bosom and her left hand resting on her lap.... Maung Po Tu Maung Po Tu is one of the 37 nats in the Burmese pantheon of nats. He was a tea trader during the reign of King Minkhaung I of Ava, and was killed by a tiger on his way to Shan State. He is portrayed sitting on a tiger, a stick in right hand and left hand on his thigh.... Yun Bayin Yun Bayin is one of the 37 nats in the official pantheon of Burmese nats. He was Mekuti, the captive king of Lanna Kingdom, who died of illness during the reign of King Bayinnaung of Toungoo . He is portrayed sitting with right knee raised, right hand holding a sheathed sword across the shoulder,... Maung Minbyu Maung Minbyu is one of 37 nats in the official Burmese pantheon of nats. He is the nat representation of Crown Prince Minyekyawswa, and son of Minkhaung I of Ava Kingdom. The fiery prince, whose birth name was Min Phyu , died of wounds in the Forty Years' War in March 1417.... Mandalay Bodaw Mandalay Bodaw is one of the 37 nats in the official pantheon of Burmese nats. Son of a Brahmin, he was killed for not properly supervising Shwe Hpyin Naungdaw and Shwe Hpyin Nyidaw, who were negligent in their duties. He is portrayed standing on a pedestal with a sword on his shoulder and a hand... Shwe Hpyin Naungdaw Shwe Hpyin Naungdaw , also called Shwe Hpyin Gyi or Min Gyi , is one of the 37 nats in the official pantheon of Burmese nats. He is the elder brother of Shwe Hpyin Nyidaw.... () Shwe Hpyin Nyidaw Shwe Hpyin Nyidaw , also called Shwe Hpyin Nge or Min Lay , is one of the 37 nats in the official pantheon of Burmese nats. Together known as Shwe Hpyin Nyinaung or Taungbyon Min Nyinaung , he and his brother Shwe Hpyin Naungdaw were sons of Byatta, the royal messenger, and Me Wunna, a... Mintha Maungshin Mintha Maungshin , is one of 37 recognized in the Burmese pantheon of nats. He was a grandson of King Alaungsithu of Pagan , son of Min Shin Saw. While he was still a young novice monk , he fell off a swing and died.... Htibyuhsaung Htibyuhsaung is one of 37 nats in the official Burmese pantheon of nats. He was King Kunhsaw Kyaunghpyu, father of Anawrahta. He was deposed and forced to become a monk by his stepsons, and died later.... Htibyuhsaung Medaw Htibyuhsaung Medaw is one of the 37 nats in the Burmese pantheon of nats. She was a grandmother of King Anawrahta of Pagan, and died of illness. She is portrayed with hair knotted and dangling, sitting on folded knees with hand on her lap.... Pareinma Shin Mingaung Pareinma Shin Mingaung is one of 37 nats in the official Burmese pantheon of nats. He was King Kyiso of Pagan, and brother of Anawrahta. He was accidentally killed by a hunter's arrow while hunting deer.... Min Sithu Min Sithu is one of the 37 nats in the Burmese pantheon of nats. He is the nat representation of King Alaungsithu of Pagan, who was assassinated by his son Narathu in 1167. He is portrayed sitting on a throne with one knee up and his foot on the seat, wearing royal garments.... Min Kyawzwa Min Kyawzwa , is one of the 37 nats in the official pantheon of Burmese nats. He is a composite representation of multiple historical personalities. One version puts him as a son of King Theinhko of Pagan; he was murdered by his brother. Another version puts him as an adviser to King Alaungsithu... Myaukhpet Shinma Myaukhpet Shinma of the 37 nats in the Burmese pantheon of nats. She is the nat representation of the wet nurse of King Tabinshwehti, and a native of North Kadu. She died in childbirth. She is portrayed on her knees, right hand on her bosom and left hand on her knee.... Anauk Mibaya Anauk Mibaya is one of 37 nats in the official Burmese pantheon of nats. She was Queen Shin Mi-Nauk, consort of King Minkhaung I and mother of Crown Prince Minyekyawswa and King Thihathu of Ava... Shingon (nat) Shingon is one of 37 nats in the official Burmese pantheon of nats. She was a maid of King Thihathu and accompanied him to the battlefront. She died on her return to the capital Ava . She is portrayed walking limply with her hands dangling.... Shingwa Shingwa is one of 37 nats in the official Burmese pantheon of nats. She was the sister of Mandalay Bodaw, and killed together with her brother for hiding the brothers Shwe Hpyin Nyidaw and Shwe Hpyin Naungdaw.... Shin Nemi Shin Nemi , also known as Ma Hne Galay or Shin Mihne , is the 37th Burmese nat in the official pantheon of nats. She is the daughter of Thonbanhla and died of grief from her mother's death.... |
External links
- Images of the 37 nats at NYPL Digital Gallery
- Nat belief and Buddhism Photo essay by Claudia Wiens
- The Nats - Online Burma/Myanmar Library
- Friends in High Places Preview of a documentary film by Lindsey Merrison
- Mintha Theater Dance theater in Mandalay, Burma.
- Spirit of Burma 2006
- Nat Pwè recordings
- The Nat Spirits and Burmese Animism Windows on Asia, Michigan State UniversityMichigan State UniversityMichigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
- Myamar Cyclone Brings Rise in Centuries-Old 'Nat' Worship The Wall Street JournalThe Wall Street JournalThe Wall Street Journal is an American English-language international daily newspaper. It is published in New York City by Dow Jones & Company, a division of News Corporation, along with the Asian and European editions of the Journal....
, June 30, 2008, video and photo slideshows - Festival brings noise and colour to Taungbyone Zaw Win Than, The Myanmar Times Vol. 22 No. 430, August 4–10, 2008
- Myanmar Nat Pwe in Bago FlickrFlickrFlickr is an image hosting and video hosting website, web services suite, and online community that was created by Ludicorp in 2004 and acquired by Yahoo! in 2005. In addition to being a popular website for users to share and embed personal photographs, the service is widely used by bloggers to...
photos by Boonlong1 - Amarapura Nat Pwe FlickrFlickrFlickr is an image hosting and video hosting website, web services suite, and online community that was created by Ludicorp in 2004 and acquired by Yahoo! in 2005. In addition to being a popular website for users to share and embed personal photographs, the service is widely used by bloggers to...
photos by Burma lay - My House Nat Can Whip Your House Nat Ethan Todras-Whitehill, Student Traveler, 2006-11-24
- An account of the Taungbyone 2010 nat pwe spirit festival at Arcane Candy Part 1 and Part 2
- Myanmar's River of Spirits Kira Salak, National Geographic. May 2006