Abstract

• This paper is a study of the novitiation ceremony of Kanan nationals living in Leiksaw village, Bammauk Township, Katha District, Sagaing Region. All Kanan nationals are Buddhists, but they believe in traditional spirits. Their main occupation is farming. There are 152 households and 152 families and the population is 1618. There are 784 males and 834 females in the village. Leiksaw village is about 40 miles far from the Northwest of Bammauk. By studying novitiation ceremony of Kanan nationals, communal activities and attitudes such as harmonious discussion of initiates’ parents, approval of the abbot’s advice, the influence of the leader of bachelors, volition of the parents, management of bachelors and maids and their mutual help, local foods are explored. Traditions and customs of initiation ceremony of Kanan nationals are discussed from anthropological point of view. As data collection methods, such research tools as individual depth interview (IDI) and key informant interview (KII) are used. Communal operation is handed down among new generations by studying initiation ceremony of Kanan nationals. It is hoped that the paper will contribute to the maintenance of cultural heritage and implementation of cultural policies of the Ministry of Religious and Cultural Affairs to some extent.