BURMA
117
TYPES OF MEDICINE FIGURES
Several approaches can be used to classify these
objects, among them their function, their style, or
the identity of the person, animal, or thing they
depict.
It is impossible to precisely attribute each figurine
when source information is lacking. One can
nonetheless assume that the figures with terrifying
appearances like cannibal ogres (figs. 39 and 42)
and most of the nat-bilu ogre guardians (figs. 17,
19, 26, and 27) harbor the most powerful medicines
used to combat maleficent forces. In connection
with this, one might wonder about the
ambiguity of the Burmese bilu (or balu or belu)
figure, which is sometimes presented as a carnivorous
and even anthropophagous red-eyed ogre
(fig. 26), and at other times as a repentant ogre
that has become a “flower eater,” perhaps under
the influence of Brahmanism and, later, of Buddhism.
Another ambiguity exists between bilu and
certain figures of large monkeys (fig. 10). In my
opinion, it would be wrong to believe that cannibal
ogre figures necessarily have some connection
with the rituals of the black magic characteristic
of “the lower path.” However, they magnify the
“pharmaceutical” power of the destructive force
harnessed in the service of order. The ogre belongs
to the world of origins and its association with archaic
cults and practices is quite likely, for is it
not precisely from its rootedness in the primitive
universe that it draws its strength?
Guardian figures often resemble the bilu but
lack teeth and are equipped with weapons or
staffs that they carry over their shoulders (figs. 13,
15, 30, and 34). They also are ambiguous figures.
Physically similar to the ogres, they stand watch
on the four sides of Mount Meru over the potentially
dangerous spirits and demons, including
the bilu, as well as the nagas and the griffins (Galon)
of Hindu mythology. Other guardians with
good-natured smiles watch over the houses that
they protect against the incursions of thieves and
the occurrence of fires. They are aged and bearded
(fig. 25) and represent the bobogyi (grandfather),
the clan ancestor who watches over the villages
and is the survivor of a forgotten universe.
Animals also impart their attributes to the
person being treated. The zebu, whose figure is
traditionally highly prized by warriors, is courageous
and resistant (fig. 12); the ithyphallic
monkey is sexually potent (fig. 22); the feline is
fast and flexible (fig. 38); and the bear is powerful
(fig. 34). Spiro described an exorcism séance
during which the practitioner had his patient
drink the remains of the figure of a cow mixed
with the ashes of a Buddhist chart to liberate him
from the clutches of an oktazaun, the general
term for a succubus.
At least thirty-seven varieties of nats (or na’
or naq) are “official” and a few others are not,
FIG. 17 (left):
Ogre guardian figure,
nat-bilu.
Compressed powder, antique lacquer.
H: 9.3 cm.
FIG. 18 (above):
Figurine of Zawgyi, the
alchemist-magician.
Compressed powder, lacquer.
H: 6.1 cm.
FIG. 15 (above):
Guardian figure.
Compressed magical material, lacquer,
gold leaf. H: 9 cm.
FIG. 16 (above):
Praying figure.
Compressed powder, lacquer.
H: 8.5 cm.