Popa Medaw and the Mahagiri Nat
The most important nat (spirit) legend in Burmese folklore tells the tragic story of the Mahagiri Nat and his sister Popa Medaw. The tale begins with a powerful blacksmith named Nga Tin De, who forged weapons of unparalleled quality in the village of Taungbyon. King Thinligyawng of Tagaung, fearing the blacksmith's growing power and popularity, summoned him to the capital under the guise of honoring him. He then seized the blacksmith and had him burned alive in a champaca tree. Upon hearing of her brother's cruel death, Nga Tin De's sister threw herself into the flames and died beside him. The