Ma Phae Wah

                       The world is demanding 'RIGHTS.' Right about men and women especially. Everyone hears 'feminism' everywhere. The question is 'why?' It is because of 'masculism.' Masculism has ruled the world since the human race started. Men were the leaders of

everything. Even in the world of ghosts, people describe the king of death as a man figure. Almost every culture and tradition portray the harbinger of death as a man. Nevertheless, in Myanmar, a woman is a high spirit concerned with death. A woman named 'Ma Phae Wah' is famous. She is a prominent figure in Burmese folklore. She owns anything concerned with death. Let's start her biography.

                There are many fables about 'Ma Phae Wah, A yellow ribbon lady' according to the regions. But,everyone accepts that she owns the graveyards. She was a girl in a desolate village living with her big brother. The trace of her origins starts in the Konbaung dynasty during King Bagyidaw’s reign. She was said to be Ma Thae U from Pyay, a region in Anyar(upper Myanmar). The siblings were making their income independently and enjoying their lives as

usual in the villages of Myanmar. In villages, girls go and bring water for their daily uses from the streams near their villages in the evening. Boys are taking the rest of the day at that time. As is the nature of boys and girls, they form connections with one another. Ma Phae Wah was exceptionally beautiful, with long, black hair. Therefore, there are many young men who are attracted to her. But they are afraid of her brother, Maung Kyan Sit. There came a day when the sibling had to encounter a series of tragic events.

                        One day, while Ma Phae Wah was taking water and went back home, a group of young men attacked her, and miserable things had fallen to her. Her brother, overcome by his sister's news, went out to solve the problem. You can imagine what will happen next. A group of demons killed the brother. Continually, Ma Phae Wah committed suicide near the stream where the unfortunate things happen to her, and her brother. The story of them is horrible, and

poor. They aren't satisfied with their situation. After they had passed away, they went to the God of Hell, and asked for revenge. The spirit allowed her to own the graveyards, and her brother was allowed to keep the ponds and lakes. They became spirits: nat in Burmese associated with cemeteries. 

                    She is the guardian spirit of graveyards in Myanmar. She is typically described as a woman wearing a yellow longyi that reaches her chest. According to myths, she carries a coffin on her shoulder and walks through places. If she puts down her coffin at a place, it is believed that someone or group of people near that place will soon fall sick, and die. Another wonderful fact about her is that if somebody commits dirty things in the graveyard or insults girls, she beats them with her hand. Some have experienced that, and they admit 'if there is a five-finger bruise on the back, it means Ma Phae Wah beat them.' 

                  Around the 1990s, a rumor spread that Ma Phae Wah appeared in a monk's dream. She was expressing her desire to consume the flesh of babies. But, the monk didn't allow her.

Instead, he advised her to eat dogs. Starting from this, parents or guardians recite 'Baby's flesh is bitter, dog's flesh is sweet,' 'Baby doesn't slip, it is the dog' when the children fall on the ground.

Myanmar is rich in folklores, and myths with its abundant traditions and culture of different ethnic groups. Ma Phae Wah is one of these. No matter how the views of the generation change, the stories remain interesting. At first, the myths are believed, and scared by

people. After a few days passed, the myths were recreated.