Burmese folk religion

What it is

Burmese folk religion is an animistic and polytheistic system focused on worshipping nats. These are spirit beings derived from local traditions and Hindu mythology. Beliefs vary significantly across different villages and regions in Myanmar. Nats are divided into two main categories: those who were humans deified after death, and nature spirits associated with elements like water and trees. Ancestors are also venerated within this framework. The practice involves maintaining relationships with these entities through rituals and offerings to ensure protection and prosperity.

Where it comes from

The exact origins of this faith are not definitively known. During the reign of King Anawrahta in the eleventh century, nat worship was widespread. The king attempted to suppress it by destroying statues, but people continued their practices using coconuts as symbols. He eventually formalized a list of thirty-seven principal nats, renaming the head deity Thagyamin with a Buddhist name. This strategic move acknowledged the persistence of folk beliefs while promoting Buddhism. The tradition survived royal opposition and continues today, evidenced by shrines erected by modern political leaders.

How it is done

Festivals called nat-pwes involve music, dancing, and specific sequences of events. Offerings such as coconuts, bananas, and rice are prepared to summon the nats. A nat-kadaw, or shaman, leads the ceremony and may enter a trance state believed to be possession by a spirit. After the feast and interaction with the summoned spirits, a farewell ritual concludes the event. In cases of illness or spiritual distress, exorcists perform rites to challenge harmful demons. Amulets and tattoos are worn to ward off troublesome spirits.

Tools and materials

Shrines known as nat kun or nat sin house images or symbols of the nats. Coconuts serve as primary offerings and symbolic representations of the spirits. Mirrors are used in marriage ceremonies to trap the soul leaving the human host. Tattoos and amulets function as protective devices against evil influences. Astrological charts and horoscopes guide timing for rituals and daily decisions. Butterflies, called leippya, symbolize the soul that can leave the body during dreams or sickness.

What it is for

Practitioners seek to propitiate nats to avoid calamity and ensure success in important undertakings. The faith provides a way to negotiate misfortune attributed to spirit interactions. It offers relief from stress through festive indulgence, contrasting with Buddhist asceticism. Healing and protection from evil spirits are common goals. Divination helps determine lucky days and auspicious actions. The tradition aims to maintain harmony with unseen beings and ancestors.

Who does it

The nat-kadaw acts as a master of ceremonies and shaman, possessing the ability to be inhabited by nats. This role is profitable but sometimes viewed as frivolous due to its association with unrestrained behavior. Nat-kadaws may undergo elaborate marriage ceremonies to specific nats to end spiritual torment. Exorcists, or ahletan hsaya, are holy figures who combat evil demons. Monks and astrologers also participate in folk practices, blending religious duties with spirit work.

Peoples and places

The faith is central to Burmese identity but varies by location. Urban and rural areas often integrate nat worship with Buddhist practices. Tribal communities in Myanmar may practice folk religion separately from Buddhism, viewing all nats as harmful spirits to be repelled rather than invited. Scholars note that lower-class Burmans frequently prioritize nat propitiation over pagoda worship. The diversity of local patron spirits means no single doctrine applies uniformly across the country.

What people believe

Nats are regarded as sentient beings within the Buddhist cycle of rebirth, subject to karma. Misfortune is often attributed to nat interactions rather than solely to past karma. The soul is believed to leave the body, depicted as a butterfly, especially during illness or sleep. Losing one's soul can lead to death, requiring rituals to recapture it. Unlike Buddhist consciousness transfer, folk belief emphasizes the physical departure of the soul. Spirits inhabit natural elements and ancestral lines, requiring respect and offerings.

When it is done

Festivals occur at specific times of the year or during special occasions. Daily life includes propitiating nats before important tasks. Illness and death trigger specific rituals involving soul retrieval. Birth and marriage ceremonies incorporate folk elements alongside Buddhist rites. Regular visits to shrines maintain ongoing relationships with the spirits.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Anthropologists and historians have documented the integration of nat worship with Buddhism. Bishop Bigandet noted that daily rites often stem from folk sources rather than Buddhist doctrine. Richard Carnac Temple observed that common people prioritize nat propitiation over weekly pagoda visits. Melford Spiro analyzed how folk practices negotiate karmic misfortune within a Buddhist moral universe. Researchers find that monks and laypeople alike engage in both systems without perceiving contradiction.

Compare and confuse

Burmese folk religion shares features with other Southeast Asian animist traditions. It differs from strict Buddhist doctrine by emphasizing soul departure and spirit negotiation. Hindu deities have been incorporated into the nat pantheon. The concept of local patron spirits resembles village guardian traditions elsewhere. Syncretism allows simultaneous adherence to Buddhist ethics and nat worship without theological conflict.

Questions people ask about Burmese folk religion

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• National Geographic MagazineNational Geographic, Article

• Burmese folk religion on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data