Unit 1.1

Overview and Learning Outcomes

This unit provides an explanation of and an overview of anthropological approaches to spirit mediumship (lecture 1.1a), an introduction to Myanmar, Burmese religion, and Burmese spirit mediumship (lecture 1.1b). Materials for this unit include two lectures and a three readings: a general introduction to spirit mediumship, a basic overview of the Nat religion, and an excerpt from a novel that describes, in narrative form, the experience of the famous Taungbyone Nat festival.

Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Identify and describe anthropological approaches to spirit mediumship.
  2. Define spirit mediumship.
  3. Describe the Nat religion of Myanmar, the role of spirit mediumship the Nat religion, and its place in the overall religious landscape.
  4. Describe basic elements of Burmese spirit mediumship ceremonies, pwe, and the sensory experience of these ceremonies.

Lectures

Lecture 1.1a – Overview of Spirit Mediumship: Anthropological Approaches (Dr. Lauren Meeker)

Link to additional readings mentioned in Lecture 1.1a

 

Lecture 1.1b – Overview of Burmese Religion and Spirit Mediumship (Kit Young)

Glossary for Kit Young’s Lecture 

Bagan – Current spelling for the current city and former kingdom (Pagan) along the Irrawaddy river with a landscape of 2229 pagoda/temple ruins.

Bago Medaw Nat – Queen Buffalo Nat from Bago, a city an hour north of Yangon

Dhamma (Burmese) Dharma (Sanskrit) – Buddha’s teachings

Hsaing Waing – Burmese percussion and gong ensemble

King Anawrahta – 1014-1077 AD. Founder of the Pagan Empire and former monk legitimizing Buddhism in Burma

Min Mahagiri  – King of the Nat Pantheon, also Protector Nat of Homes

Nat Htein –  Spirit Medium who directs a Nat Pwe troupe

Nat Kadaw – A medium who may or may not be married to a Nat spirit, dancing in costume, supplicating particular Nat spirits. Two related meanings: “wife of a Nat ” and “bowing to the Nat” in referring to Spirit Mediums.

Nat Sein – A Nat who has died a violent or tragic death. A pre-mature death.

Pawa – Burmese shawl used in traditional costumes

Pyinsa Theinkha or Sakkha – Deva who demonstrated “The Middle (Rightfold) Path” for Siddartha Gautama as he was becoming  Buddha by plucking the string that was not too tight, nor too loose – sounding the “right” pitch for living.

Si Doe – vertical headed drum played with sticks.

Thagya Min – Burmese term for “Indra”   – Hindu god of Rain, Lightening, Thunder and War

Readings

Luig, U. 2001. “Spirit Possession, Anthropology of.” In, International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences, Vol. 22, edited by Niel J. Smelser and Paul B. Baltes, 14901-14904. Oxford: Elsevier.

Luig_Anthro-of-spirit-possession

Spiro, Melford. 1996 [1967]. Burmese Supernaturalism. New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers. Ch. 4, “Nats,” pp. 40-63.

Spiro_Burmese-Supernaturalism_Ch4

Nu Nu Yi. 2008. Smile as they Bow. Translated by Alfred Birnbaum and Thi Thi Aye. Hyperion Books, chapter 1.

Nu-Nu-Yi_Smile-as-they-bow

Review Questions

  1. How does the Nat religion fit into the broader Burmese spiritual landscape? What is its relationship to Buddhism? Hinduism?
  2. In what way can a spirit mediumship ritual be considered a performance? How do the performative elements of the ritual contribute to religious efficacy of the ritual?
  3. What are some of the specific ways the senses are engaged in a Burmese spirit mediumship ritual in the Nat religion (called pwe)? What role do these sensory experiences play in the overall social and spiritual atmosphere of the pwe?
  4. What is the role that music plays in Burmese spirit mediumship ceremonies? What is the relationship between the Nats and the music played for them?