essay

Respected grandfather, bless this Nissan: benevolent and politically neutral Bo Bo Gyi

burma at the turn of the twenty-first centuryHonolulu • Published In 2005 • Pages: 90-111

By: Sadan, Mandy.

Abstract
This is a study of a particular deity in Burmese Buddhist pantheon, Bo Bo Gyi, 'Respected Grandfather.' The author is particularly interested in the Bo Bo Gyi statues in the different temples and shrines in the vicinity of Rangoon. He is curious why some statues are more venerated than others. While the state has built new temples for Bo Bo Gyi with impressive statues in an attempt to control and appropriate the cult, these are not the places that are well attended. Rather it is those statues and temples, the author concludes, with a deeper history, or mythology associated with them and located in specific place. The author also notes that although Bo Bo Gyi is not a nat, there is a pull to make him more nat-like.
Subjects
Visual arts
Miscellaneous government activities
Spirits and gods
Prayers and sacrifices
culture
Burmans
HRAF PubDate
2012
Region
Asia
Sub Region
Southeast Asia
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Type
Historian
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Ian Skoggard;2011
Field Date
1996-1997
Coverage Date
1997
Coverage Place
Rangoon, Burma
Notes
Mandy Sadan
for bibliographical references see document 39:Skidmore
LCCN
2005003440
LCSH
Burma--Social life and customs