CENTER FOR BURMA STUDIES
  • HOME
  • Conferences
  • Resources
    • ONLINE EXHIBITS >
      • Performing Nat Pwe
      • Looking at Women in Contemporary Burma​
      • The Art of Surviving: ​ The Journey of Burmese Karen Refugees in Illinois
    • PAST EXHIBITIONS
    • Archived Bulletins
    • Past events

Performing Nat Pwe

Sept. 8, 2022 - May 13, 2023
part of Performing Southeast Asia​ 
James B. and Rosalyn L. Pick Museum of Anthropology, NIU​

Picture
Picture
​Many Burmese believe that spirit beings called nat watch over the country from their shrines on the sacred Mount Popa located in the middle of the country.

There are many nat spirits, and each has a special place that they protect, including villages or individuals.

Nats could inhabit trees, mountains, and other natural places. Amongst the numerous spirit nats there is an especially popular pantheon in Central Burma called “the 37 Lord Nats”, which were designated as an official pantheon in the eleventh century by King Anawrahta of Bagan.

​ In this altar, only the 17 most popular are represented.

Each nat has a name... 

Picture
Picture

Each nat has a story...

Though originally a royal practice, today the ritual to the 37 nats constitutes an important part of popular Buddhist religious practice for many Burmese people. Nat festivals (nat pwe) are arranged for a variety of reasons, including to ask for protection, recovery from illness, a happy marriage, or a successful career or business. In March-April, August-September, and December, spirit mediums and devotees participate in nat pwe, where they celebrate and pay homage to the nats. 
The family of the Lord of the Great Mountain Min Mahagiri with his wife and sister and two children protecting the household of his worshippers with Lord Brown and Lord White.
Lord Brown and Lord White, also part of the household nats.
The Lady of Mount Popa with her two sons. She died of a broken heart when her two sons were unfairly executed. She safeguards women and families.
The Lord of the White Horse is a mischievous spirit defending the worshipper against danger and enemies.
Two kneeling other ladies, Amay Kyin smoking cigar and Amay Yai Yin the lady of running waters. They both contribute to successful harvest and flourishing business.
U Min Gyaw was the former adviser of the king, lord of the city of Pakhan with his rooster, is known for his bad behavior and his tendency to drink and gamble. His dance performance by Nat kadaw is the most spectacular, enacting his turbulent life involving money, cock fights and alcohol. He is often associated with Mr. Big Brown guardian of the door.

Each nat can come to life via nat pwe...

​Communities in Burma participate in nat festivals (nat pwe) to receive protection or favorable fortunes from the nat spirits. Before a nat pwe begins, an offering consisting of banners, food, alcohol, and cigarettes/cigars is made to nat statues on an altar. A nat kadaw (spirit medium) leads the ceremony, singing, dancing, and reciting scenes from the life of particular nats being celebrated. A small, percussive Burmese orchestra called hsaing waing accompanies this performance. The nat kadaw falls into a trance and embodies the character of a particular nat while enacting their life. Acting as an intermediary between the nat and humans, the spirit medium provides specific offerings to the nat and receives protection for the community in return. The specialist of the ritual may also act as an oracle, reciting prophecies transmitted to them during their trance. 

Nankarine was a special nat who was first a water buffalo...

Picture
​Nankarine was a water buffalo who nurtured an orphan infant and was later killed by him when he became a king. She lives in the delta and eats fish and bananas. Her beautiful dance as represented on the watercolor depict her story as it is also figured on the glass painting. Over time, Nankayin’s representation changed from a buffalo to a woman with a buffalo headdress. 
Nankarine, “The Buffalo Goddess”, Lady of Pegu (Lower Burma), holding fish Teak wood, lacquer, gold leaf BC2006.04.14 Gift of Catherine Raymond
Reverse Glass Painting of Pegu Medaw (Nankayin) BC89.01.14.00 Gift of Hugh C. MacDougall
Paw Oo Htet, “Natkadaw and the Burmese Orchestra” 20th century Watercolor BC94.1.10 Gift of Cohen

Nats in the Burma Art Collection at NIU

Gift of Dr. Catherine Raymond, 2006
Click on each large image to view additional angles for each sculpture.
17 nat sculptures
Amarapura (Burma/Myanmar)
2004
Lacquered wood, gold leaf, red and black paint
Gift of Catherine Raymond
​(BC2006.04.01-17)

Other objects representing ​nats...

Acknowledgements

Curated by Dr. Catherine Raymond and Ma Sandar Wynn
Our gratitute to the students who contributed to the installation, photographing, text editing, and other aspects of the exhibition:  Aung Htet Moe, Chloe Insley, Holly Young,  Lay Mu, and Maeve Wallace. 
Made in collaboration with the ​James B. and Rosalyn L. Pick Museum of Anthropology, NIU​
Picture
  • HOME
  • Conferences
  • Resources
    • ONLINE EXHIBITS >
      • Performing Nat Pwe
      • Looking at Women in Contemporary Burma​
      • The Art of Surviving: ​ The Journey of Burmese Karen Refugees in Illinois
    • PAST EXHIBITIONS
    • Archived Bulletins
    • Past events