Myanmar Spirit Practitioners Disciplinary Committee is hoping to organise those who provide services to and control animists. The committee was formed in March of this year and it intends to supervise and monitor traditional animists to preserve the culture in their performances, dances and costumes, and to avoid indecent entertainment mixing with behaviours in contrast to the standard norm when they hold Nat-propitiating and other ceremonies. There are altogether 37 famous Nats (heavenly beings) in Myanmar, with their powers ranging from cures to safety at sea.
“Later, representative committees will be formed in regions and states after the constitution of the organisation is issued. The regions and states will not have chairmen and secretaries. Each state or region will have one representative,” he said. The constitution of the organisation is expected to be released this year, and the process will begin after such an announcement.
“The centre will lead the work. The representatives of the regions and states will report their work to the centre, which will decide and handle it. We will not appoint many people. We will not have chairpersons and secretaries,” he said. Currently, since the organisation rules have not been issued yet, they have not been able to handle the task properly, and they will take action according to the issuance of the rules.
“We can ban the ceremony, but we cannot imprison people. If the animist does not follow the rules, we will warn him. If he continues to fail to abide by, we will ban the ceremony or refuse to provide certificates,” he explained.
