ABSTRACT
Nats differ from witches in that the latter are humans while the former are spirits; they differ from ghosts in that the latter are terrestrial while the former reside in a nonhuman abode. Since "nat" is used to refer to different types of supernatural beings, it is necessary, before describing these types, to make two observations concerning the derivation of the typology. The word deva is the Sanskrit term for deity. In the Burmese context, devas are "good" nats; they protect the people from harm and accede to their requests for assistance. The nature nat, then, is a jealous suzerain of his domain, harming those who do not properly acknowledge his suzerainty. The personal guardian nat, according to more knowledgeable informants, is in reality not one but a collectivity of twelve nats, consisting of six good nats and six evil nats. The belief that government officials have the power to expel nats has its roots in traditional Burmese political theory.
