Category: Karen People

TheingiSoe¹

Dagon University Commemoration of 25th Anniversary Silver Jubilee Research Journal Volume 9, No.1

Abstract

This paper is about the traditional beliefs and ritual practices of rural community of Poe Kayin national. They have their own characteristics and different cultural patterns. The objectives of this paper are to understand the ritual, religious beliefs and practices related to their socioeconomic life. The study area is Hlaing Kabar Village Tract, Hpa-an Township, Kayin State. The study was conducted with qualitative research methods: key informant interview (KII), indepth interview (IDI) and direct observation, participant observations were conducted to collect data. The religious rituals and traditional ritual are celebrated every month of their own calendar. In these festive months, the above mentioned festivities are respectively held in the villages, townships and states. Poe Kayin people hold traditional rituals in every season based upon their different assumptions. Among them, Du wei adherents used to pray and say oath at Du wei traditional secret place of Hlaing Kabar village. Du wei bonfire is one of the traditions of Poe Kayin. Du wei bonfire is called “Mee Si Taing” in Poe Kayin language and “Mee Pon Pwe” in Myanmar language. In fact, Du wei bonfire is based on religious belief of East Poe Kayin people. The purpose of celebrating bonfire is to wipe off bad omens, misfortune and evils. They believe that bad omens and evils are to be gone with the fire. The traditional bonfire is celebrated by Poe Kayin and non Kayin to avert impending misfortune. Everyone can participate in this ritual regardless of age and sex. According to study, Du wei traditional practices play a key role in the life of Poe Kayin race.

Key words: ritual, religion, belief, practice, function

Original Source:

Theingi-Soe-1-1.pdf (dagonuniversity.edu.mm)

Believes and practices of Du wei bonfire | Dagon University, Myanmar

1. Dr., Lecturer, Department of Anthropology, Dagon University ↩︎

PhD Dissertation

Theingi Soe

Department of Anthropology,
Dagon University,
Myanmar

May 2018

ABSTRACT

In Myanmar, over one hundred national ethnic groups are living nowadays. Each of the ethnic groups has their own characteristics and different cultural patterns. The main purpose of this thesis is to understand the ritual, religious beliefs and practices of a Poe Kayin ethnic group living in Hlaing Gabar Village tract in Hpa-an Township, Kayin State. The aim of this research is to find out the impact of ritual, religious beliefs and practices on their socio-economic life. The specific objectives of the research are -to find out Poe-Kayin’s religious belief and practices, to elicit how their religious belief influences on their social and economic function. The study was conducted with qualitative methods. Key informant interview (KII),In-depth interview (IDI) and Direct observation were conducted to collect data. It was found that, only Poe- Kayin nationals live in this region. Religious and moral values are a highly sensitive area involving beliefs and concepts about the various different kinds of Buddhist and animist beliefs are mixed by each individual. Everyone can participate in this ritual regardless of age and sex. Even people from the neighboring villages come to participate in some ritual which is held in respective village tract. They practice matrilineal descendant pattern for Poe Kayin nationalities. The traditional practice has been handed down to only women – one generation after another. Manna and taboo for marriage, pregnancy and confinement are found so there are a few cases for inheritance and divorce.

Key words: ritual, religion, belief, practice, function

Original Source: https://meral.edu.mm/record/2266/files/Theingi%20Soe%20PhD%20Theses.pdf