Burmese Nats / spirits
Despite centuries of Buddhist practice, animism and the worship of spirits have continued alongside Buddhism. Ghosts and demons have not been seen by many, but that is no reason not to believe those who have!
The traditional Burmese pantheon includes 37 principal nats, although many other local and lesser nats are also recognized. Most of these are spirits of those who have died a violent death. Shrines are built for them and offerings made.
Most of these spirits are appeased out of fear, for they are capable of punishing more than rewarding, but that does not mean that one cannot ask for health, fame, or fortune.
Even among those who have given up animistic worship, a spell of bad luck and a visit to an astrologer can make them revert to their traditional worship, or, more naturally, return to traditional forms of worship to appease spirits who still want their offerings. For nat worship, it is the custom to hang a green coconut in a small basket in a corner of the living room. If there is an illness, for example, and the coconut's stem is found to be dry, it is assumed that the spirit is angry because the coconut has not been replaced with a fresh one earlier.
Those who work on a stage, make movies, or play in orchestras customarily need to offer bananas, coconut, and tobacco leaf to the spirit of the arts before performances.
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