Nat (spirit)

The nats (Burmese: နတ်‌; MLCTS: nat; IPA: [naʔ]) are spirits worshipped in Burma (or Myanmar) in conjunction with Buddhism. They are divided between the 37 Great Nats and all the rest (i.e., spirits of trees, water, etc.). Almost all of the 37 Great Nats were human beings who met violent deaths (စိမ်းသေ, lit. "green death"). They may thus also be called nat sein (နတ်စိမ်း; lit. green spirits). The word 'sein', while meaning 'green', is being used to mean 'raw' in this context. There are however two types of nats in Burmese Buddhist belief.

Nat spirits are termed lower nats or auk nats (အောက်နတ်), whether named or unnamed, whereas ahtet nats (အထက်နတ်) or higher nat dewas inhabit the six heavens. Much like sainthood, nats can be designated for a variety of reasons, including those only known in certain regions in Burma. Nat worship is less common in urban areas than in rural areas, and is practised among ethnic minorities as well as in the mainstream Bamar society. It is however among the Buddhist Bamar that the most highly developed form of ceremony and ritual is seen.

Nat (Muslim)

The Nat are a Muslim community found in North India. A few are also found in the Terai region of Nepal. They are Muslim converts from the Hindu Nat caste.

History and origin

The Muslim Nat are a semi-nomadic community, traditionally associated rope dancing, juggling, fortune telling and begging. The Nat of Bihar are said to have immigrated from Middle east and Central Asia. They are found mainly in the districts of Madhubani, Darbhanga, Samastipur and Patna. They speak Urdu.

Present circumstances

The Muslim Nat are now mainly cattle dealers, while small number are involved in begging. They are one of the most marganalized Muslim community in Bihar. Almost all the Nat are landless. A small number of Nat have now settled down and are cultivators.

The Nat are strictly endogamous, and generally live in isolation from other Muslim communities in their neighbourhood. Although they are Sunni Muslims, they incorporate many folk beliefs.

In Uttar Pradesh, the Nat are said to have come originally from Chittaur in Rajasthan. They are found mainly in the districts of Varanasi, Allahabad, Barabanki and Jaunpur. The Nat speak Urdu and Hindi and converted to Islam during the rule of the Nawabs of Awadh, about two hundred years ago. The Muslim Nat consist of number of sub-groups, the main ones being the Aman, Goleri, Mahawat, Rari, Siarmaroa and Turkata. Many Nat are still involved with fortune telling and live a semi-nomadic lifestyle. Most Nat are now landless agricultural labourers, and are in depressed economic circumstances. The Nat are Sunni Muslims, but incorporate many folk beliefs.

Mala (Devendra Banhart album)

Mala is the eighth studio album by folk-rock musician Devendra Banhart, released on March 12, 2013 on Nonesuch Records. The album was produced by Banhart and Noah Georgeson, and mastered by Greg Calbi.

Background

Mala was produced by Devendra Banhart and Noah Georgeson, and mastered by Greg Calbi. Banhart's band members Noah Georgeson, Greg Rogove, Josiah Steinbrick, and Rodrigo Amarante helped him on the record.

Music and lyrics

Mala (2013 film)

Mala (English: Bad or Evil) is a 2013 Argentine crime film directed by Adrián Caetano and starring Ana Celentano, Brenda Gandini, Florencia Raggi, Juana Viale, Julián Krakov, Liz Solari, María Duplaá and Rafael Ferro The plot revolves around Rosario, an assassin who only kills men who mistreat or abuse women.

Cast

References

External links

Mala (Yolandita Monge album)

Mala, is the 31st studio album by Puerto Rican singer Yolandita Monge released under her contract with Universal Music Latin Entertainment after with the acquisition of Univision Music Group. This album was released on November 25, 2008, and follows the same musical and lyrical style as Demasiado Fuerte and produced once again by Jose Luis Pagán.

Reception

The album achieved commercial success in Puerto Rico and some Latin America countries. The album is currently available as a digital download at iTunes and Amazon.

Track listing

Singles

Promotion

Mala... Tour 2009

A tour to promote the album will begin on April 24, 2009 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Yolandita Monge, will begin her tour in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, which will tour several countries in Latin America.

Release history