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My sisters and I went on a tour of Myanmar, the old Burma. As usual, we had a blast. We bought something at every stop, and were still shopping at the airport up to departure time!

This painting is of a marionette, or puppet. Although the popularity of Marionette theatre has declined, its influence lives on in Burmese classical dance. In the pagoda alleys and shops one will see an abundance of these puppets. Be careful, however, that you are not buying a "nat", or spirit. Buddhism never fully replaced the pre-Buddhist practice of nat (spirit) worship, and there are nat shrines everywhere. Nats are thought to be descended from people who had died violent, unjust deaths, and, when correctly propitiated, can aid worshippers accomplish important tasks.

32. Burmese Marionette
       KL, 28 June 04, 17.8 x 25.4 cm

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