Shwe Nawrahta

Lore & Background

The first source of Shwe Nawrahta is Anawrahta of Launggyet, son-in-law of King Minkhaung I of Ava. He was appointed governor of Arakan in 1406 and married to the king's daughter Saw Pyei Chantha. In April 1408, Razadarit's Hanthawaddy troops captured Launggyet, taking Anawrahta and Saw Pyei Chantha prisoner to Pathein. On arrival, Anawrahta was executed, and his wife passed into Razadarit's harem as a full queen.

The second source is Nawrahta of Yamethin, grandson of King Minkhaung II of Ava and eldest son of King Thihathura. In November 1501, he ordered his servant Nga Thaukkya to assassinate the new king Shwenankyawshin. The attempt failed; Thaukkya was caught and put to death. Nawrahta, living in the palace, was easily caught and, being of royal blood, was drowned.

Shwe Nawrahta is portrayed sitting with one knee raised upon a simple throne, holding a gu lee ball in one hand and a gu lee stick in the other.

Reader's Guide

Shwe Nawrahta holds significance as a composite nat in the Burmese pantheon, embodying two distinct historical figures from different centuries. His inclusion among the 37 nats reflects the Burmese tradition of deifying notable individuals, often those who met violent or unjust ends. The first source, Anawrahta of Launggyet, represents a royal figure executed after capture by Hanthawaddy forces, while the second, Nawrahta of Yamethin, was a prince executed for a failed assassination plot. Their merging into a single nat illustrates how Burmese spirit worship synthesizes multiple narratives into a unified cult figure. Shwe Nawrahta's iconography—sitting with one knee raised, holding a gu lee ball and stick—distinguishes him visually. His legacy endures through continued veneration in nat festivals and household shrines, serving as a link between historical events and spiritual beliefs. The nat's story also highlights the political turmoil of Ava and Arakan during the 15th and early 16th centuries, as recorded in the Hmannan Yazawin and other chronicles.

Did You Know?

• Anawrahta of Launggyet was executed in April 1408 after being captured by Razadarit's troops.
• Nawrahta of Yamethin was drowned for ordering a failed assassination of King Shwenankyawshin in November 1501.