Nat Worship in Myanmar – Communing with the Supernatural
While Myanmar is predominantly known as a deeply Buddhist country, with golden stupas gleaming across its landscape and saffron-robed monks walking silently at dawn, an older, more mystical faith quietly endures alongside mainstream religion. This is the practice of Nat worship—an ancient form of spirit veneration that predates Buddhism and continues to shape daily life in both rural and urban communities.
In Myanmar, Nats are considered powerful supernatural beings, often former humans who met violent or unjust deaths and now dwell in a liminal world between the divine and mortal. They are feared, revered, and appeased. From mountaintops to market stalls, one finds offerings to these spirits—a testament to their ongoing influence over fortune, health, and fate.
1. Who Are the Nats?
The word “Nat” refers to a spirit, but unlike ghosts or deities, Nats exist in a unique cultural category. Myanmar officially recognizes 37 "official" Nats, known as the Thirty-Seven Lords, each with a name, story, and area of power.
These spirits include:
-
Thagya Min, the king of the Nats, a figure resembling Indra from Hindu mythology.
-
Min Mahagiri, a blacksmith murdered by a jealous king, now venerated as a protective spirit.
-
Lady Me Wunna, a flower-eating spirit and mother of two other Nats.
Many Nats are tied to specific places—mountains, trees, rivers, or even temples—and each has distinct rituals for worship and appeasement.
2. Origins and Syncretism with Buddhism
Nat worship is deeply rooted in animism, the belief that spirits inhabit the natural world. Before Theravāda Buddhism spread across Myanmar, the indigenous people practiced animistic rituals to honor and protect themselves from capricious spirits.
Rather than eradicating these beliefs, Buddhism in Myanmar absorbed and adapted them. Many Burmese people are both devout Buddhists and regular participants in Nat rituals, seamlessly balancing the two traditions.
This fusion is especially visible during festivals, where Buddhist chants are recited in temples while, nearby, Nat mediums enter trances and perform spirit possessions accompanied by traditional music and offerings of alcohol, meat, and money.
3. The Role of Nat Kadaws – Spirit Mediums
Central to the Nat tradition are the Nat Kadaws, or “wives of the Nats.” These are spirit mediums—traditionally women, though today many are LGBTQ+ individuals—who serve as the intermediaries between the Nats and humans.
During ceremonies, the Nat Kadaw becomes possessed by a specific Nat, adopting their personality, movements, and speech. Their performances are dramatic, spiritual, and festive, often drawing large crowds who seek blessings, healing, or predictions.
To be a Nat Kadaw is both a sacred and theatrical vocation, involving rigorous training, elaborate costumes, and deep spiritual sensitivity. Some mediums claim they were chosen through dreams, illness, or visions—marking them as destined for this unique path.
4. Major Nat Festivals – A Blend of Ritual and Revelry
One of the most famous Nat festivals is held at Mount Popa, known as the spiritual heart of Nat worship. Pilgrims climb the mountain to visit the shrine of the Thirty-Seven Lords, making offerings to secure protection or success.
Another iconic event is the Taungbyone Nat Festival, held every August near Mandalay. Thousands gather to witness:
-
Spirit possessions
-
Traditional dances
-
Ritual offerings of food and alcohol
-
Blessings from possessed mediums
The atmosphere is one of wild joy mixed with sacred awe, where music, myth, and mysticism intertwine under the hot Burmese sun.
5. Contemporary Relevance of Nat Worship
Despite modernization and government efforts to emphasize Buddhism, Nat worship remains deeply ingrained in Burmese society.
Many homes have small Nat altars alongside Buddha images. Business owners consult Nats before major ventures. Farmers leave offerings in the fields to ensure a good harvest. Even politicians have been rumored to secretly seek guidance from powerful spirits.
This enduring tradition reflects a deep cultural understanding that life is governed not only by logic or doctrine, but also by the unseen—the emotional, mystical, and spiritual energies that bind community and cosmos.
Q&A
Q1. Are Nats considered gods in Myanmar?
Not exactly. Nats are spirits, not omnipotent deities. They are powerful but fallible beings who require offerings to grant favor or avoid causing harm.
Q2. Is Nat worship part of Buddhism?
No, but the two coexist closely in Myanmar. Many people practice both without conflict, reflecting a unique cultural syncretism.
Q3. Can anyone become a Nat Kadaw?
In theory, yes—but traditionally, it's believed that Nats “choose” their mediums through dreams, illness, or possession. It’s both a calling and a lifestyle.
Q4. Why are Nat rituals often festive and musical?
Because celebration is considered a way to please the spirits. Music, dance, and drama invite the Nats and show respect through joy and abundance.
Q5. Is Nat worship accepted by the state?
Officially, Buddhism is emphasized, but Nat worship is tolerated as part of cultural heritage. It thrives more in rural regions and during festivals.
