Offerings ceremony to the Nats

Myanmar, Bago

"Nats" or "spirits" are very present in Myanmar people's mind, especially in the countryside. 

In houses or villages, it is common to see altars dedicated to Nats, who act as protectors.

In the pagodas also, people practice a form of worship destinated to one of the thirty seven great Nats.

They bring offerings, essentially food, sometimes individually at the foot of a nat's statue.

Ceremonies gathering tens of people, from a single family also take place. These are destinated to appease the spirits.

During these, very loud music is played by an orchestra, while the master of ceremonies dances and embodies the Nat himself, going into a trance. 

The persons in charge of these celebrations, form a community often showing smartness and beauty.