Book
Burmese supernaturalism
Institute for the Study of Human Issues • Philadelphia • Published In 1978 • Pages:
By: Spiro, Melford E..
Abstract
This book is concerned with Burmese religious beliefs, rituals and practioners as observed by the author in 1961-1962. The focus is on a variety of supernatural beliefs - ghosts, demons, witches and spirits whom villagers in the upper Burma call nats. Of these four types of beings, the author argues that the nats loom most important in Burmese thought and behavior. Although substantively distinct, the author argues that these four types of beings are functionally similar. They are all 'supernatural' in that their power is greater than man's. They are also believed to use this power to either harm or potentially harm humans. For the Burmese, thus, the causes of human suffering can be attributed mostly to interventions by these powers.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2012
- Region
- Asia
- Sub Region
- Southeast Asia
- Document Type
- Book
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Anthropologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Teferi A. Adem; 2011
- Field Date
- 1961-1962
- Coverage Date
- 1961-1967
- Coverage Place
- Upper Burma (central and northern Burma)
- Notes
- Melford E. Spiro
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 281-289) and index
- LCCN
- 77017280
- LCSH
- Animism
- Supernatural
- Burma--Religious life and customs