TAUNGBYON, BURMAWith his right hand encrusted in heavy gold rings, his hair in a ponytail and traces of makeup visible around his eyes and cheeks, the man gestures at the heavens, then himself.

Hes talking religion, and hes vaguely annoyed. Explaining the complex relationship between Buddhism, Islam and spirit worship in Burma to a foreigner isnt easy.

But if anyone can do it, he can.

His name is Aung Lin Gaung and he is a nat kadaw, a traditional Burmese shaman whose ritual dancing connects the spirit world of vengeful nats with the humans who seek to appease them with gifts of money, alcohol and cigarettes.

At 38, hes been a nat kadaw for 25 years, and is one of the top shamans in Rangoon, Burmas commercial capital. Hes even performed an exorcism on a luxury hotel, which became overrun with snakes after its foreign manager inadvertently offended the local dragon spirit.

Tonight, Aung Li Gaung will apply heavy foundation over his five oclock shadow, don medieval Burmese palace gowns and dance until dawn.

The shamans are often transgender women, and the community of nat kadaws is interwoven with Burmas gay subculture. Their clients are mainly Buddhists, and seek the support of the nat spirits to improve their businesses or marriages.

Nat worship predates Buddhism and Islam in Burma, and the three religious systems have for centuries coexisted here in an uneasy truce one thats begun to break down, at least among Buddhists and Muslims.

Although Buddhists are the overwhelming majority in Burma (Muslims comprise about 5 per cent of the population), religious tensions remain and sectarian unrest has increased since the government launched democratic reforms in 2011.

Some 240 people have been killed and more than 140,000 displaced in anti-Muslim violence since 2012, including a Muslim and a Buddhist who died in riots in Mandalay in July, the most recent of the troubles.

See the article here:
Can debauchery unite Burmas Buddhists and Muslims?