Overview and Learning Outcomes
In this unit, we will examine efforts within Myanmar to preserve and promote the Nat religion in the context of development and modernization. As is the case elsewhere in the world today, many youth in Myanmar are not as interested in “traditional” culture as preceding generations. Ne Myo Aung will explain some of the efforts of Gitameit Music Institute to document the Nat religion and promote interest among younger generations. Materials for this unit include Ne Myo Aung’s lecture and two readings about Burmese efforts to preserve cultural heritage.
Learning Outcomes
At the conclusion of this unit, students will be able to:
- Identify key issues in the cultural preservation of Burmese musical heritage.
- Describe local and national efforts to preserve Burmese musical heritage.
Lecture
Lecture 2.1 – Cultural Preservation: Gitameit’s Oral History Project (Ne Myo Aung and Kit Young)
Readings
Gavin Douglas. 2007. Myanmar’s Nation-Building Cultural Policy: Traditional Music and Political Legitimacy. Y. Terada ed. Authenticity and Cultural Identity. Senri Ethnological Reports 65: 27-41.
Mar Lar Aung. 2020. “Key Challenges for Myanmar on Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage.” Myanmar Digital News, Aug. 01, 2020.
Audio and Video from the Gitameit Music Institute Audio and Video Archives
Household Nat, Mahagiri (Audio Transfer from old 78 RPM)
Danin Bodaw: Danin Bodaw is propitiated especially in the delta region. This one is a good example for the integration of modern music and dance. You can see it at the end of the clip with popular music and dance. Some traditionalists might even feel offended by the last performance.
Danin Bodaw (Audio Transfer from an old cassette tape)
Traditional Lamine Nat Propitiating Ceremony: This kind of ceremony is usually done by requesting nat to guard and take care of the upcoming concert to bring success and not to get any problems.
Ceremony for Ethnic Shan and Karen Nat (Video Recording)
Nan Ka Raing, a Buffalo Nat and her son (Video Recording)
Explore Gitameit’s Archive on Facebook
Review Questions
- What are some of the obstacles to preservation of traditional music and other intangible cultural heritage in Myanmar today?
- What is the State’s role in preservation of musical heritage and promotion of the arts in Myanmar? What are the State’s motivations for promoting traditional culture?
- In what ways do you think the State’s work to preserve traditional culture intersects with small-scale local efforts, such as those at Gitameit? In what ways are they different?