Myanmar land grab victims turn to black magic

Land seizures by the military, the government and private companies linked to junta cronies have long been commonplace in this Southeast Asian country, whether for development or the extraction of natural resources.

Many of those who lost their land in the biggest land grabs in the 1990s were relocated to remote areas. Some became squatters on their own land, or were allowed to continue farming if they paid rent. Some houses of farmers who did not give up their land have been bulldozed.

The elected government that ended a half-century of dictatorship in 2011 has restored speech freedoms, released political prisoners and implemented other changes that have prompted the international community to ease sanctions. Many victims of land grabs had hoped new government would help them, but evictions have continued.

Some who have challenged the system have been charged with disrupting public tranquility or violating a new law on peaceful assemblies, offenses punishable by up to two years in prison.

Sein Thein and other families from Michaung Kan were among those staging frequent protests in front of Yangon's city hall. Their sit-in protest is in its second month, but with few options available to them, some now see appealing to mystical forces as a last resort.

"We sought the powers of the demon to put an evil spell on those people who grabbed our land," said Sein Than.

Myanmar is predominantly Buddhist, but spirit worship and animists are tolerated and deeply embedded in the society. People worship spirits either to ward off evil befalling them or to bring good fortune. Belief in black magic and supernatural powers are more common in rural and ethnic areas.

It was uncommon, if not unheard of, to see people attempt to use black magic against Myanmar's former military rulers. Though successive Myanmar leaders have consulted astrologers for advice and guidance, there has been little to suggest that the tactics have upset officials.

About 200 kilometers north of Yangon, Myanmar's biggest city, farmers in Thegone township in Bago region went to a cemetery in mid-April and burned three mock coffins, wishing for the deaths for those who confiscated more than 1,000 acres of farmland. They prayed that their tormentors would go through the same pain and distress the farmers have felt.

In central Myanmar's Magwe region, where hundreds have been displaced by a copper mine project, people have held ceremonies calling on the guardian spirits of the mountains to punish those responsible for their suffering.

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