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AUGUST, 1906.] A NATIVE ACCOUNT OF THE THIRTY-SEVEN NATS.
He is said to be able to cure all affections of the stomach, and is generally propitiated with liquor, for which he has a decided preference.
33. Myaukpet Shinma Nat.
She was wet-nurse to Mintarâ Shwêdi and native of Northern Kadû village. She became the second wife of Minyè Thengâthû. On her return from her parents she was delivered of a son, to the west of Sagaing. She lived in a large shed built for her, but she soon died of the effects of childbirth. The child was safely taken to Taung-ngû and delivered into the hands of his father Minyè Thenga. When Tabin Shwêdî abdicated the throne, Kyawdin Nawratâ, the son of Miuyè Thêngâthú. became king and reigned in Hanthawadi. His step-brother, the son of Myaukpet Shinma, was then made governor of Taung-ngû under the name of Mingaung. Thus the Nat was the mother of Mingaung of Taung-ngû. In memory of the shed in which she died in child-birth, the place on the west of Sagaing is still called by the name of Taigyîngâ-ywâ.
In the festival to this Nat the medium wears a black jacket, with a black girdle and a shawl. She is also dressed as the medium of the Shwê Sagû Nat, with the addition of a necklace. Sh chaunts an ode, and, holding twigs of thabye in both hands, she dances. After this she mimics the sowing of the twigs as if she were sowing a field. She is supposed to cause all feminine diseases.
34. Anauk Mibya Nat.
She was the Northern Queen of King Mingaunggyi, the son of King Mingyizwa. During a pleasure trip to a cotton field, West of Ava, with her maids, she met Min Kyawzwâ coming on horseback. On reaching the palace on her return she died and became a Nat.
In the festival to this Nat the medium is dressed in the same way as that of the Shwe Saga Nat, but without a rosary. She chaunts an ode and mimics the picking of cotton pods, dresses and spins cotton, weaving it into cloth, which she then wears. She then dances.
36. Shingôn Nat.
She was the concubine of Sinbyûshin Thibithû, who died at Aungbinlè. She died at Ava on her return from Aungbinlè and became a Nat.
In the festival to this Nat the medium is dressed as that of the Anauk Mibyâ Nat. Holding a fan in the right hand she bends herself, and, walking in this attitude, chaunts an ode.
36. Shingwa Nat.
She was the sister of Mandalê Bôdaw. She was killed during the reign of Nawratâ of Pagân along with her brother.
In the festival to this Nat the medium is dressed as that of the Shingôn Nat. She holds a fan with both hands, and, walking on her knees, chaunts an ode.
37. Shinnèmi Nat.
She was the daughter of Thônbàn Hla, Queen of Okkalâbâ. She died at Tabaidaukyit, after her mother, while travelling to Upper Burma, and became a Nat.
In the festival to this Nat the medium wears a gold embroidered skirt and a shawl. Placing a bunch of Thingésà plantains on her head, she chaunts an ode and dances. In the ode she is represented as a child, as she died at the age of two. She is credited with having a special predilection for playthings, toys, dolls, and cakes. If she is not provided with these, she will cause the children of her votaries to cry in their cradles without any cause.
