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Primitive Karens are animists, worshipping the spirits with which their imaginations people the phenomena of nature, the hills, the streams, and any unusual happenings which they see around them. The changes of season are due to conflict between the demons (often called by their Burmese name _nats_) of the dry weather and the wet. Those are victorious whose season is prevailing at the time. The banyan is supposed to be the abode of a very vigorous spirit, probably because the seeds of that tree spring up in all kinds of unsuspected places.
In addition to the spirits of the wood and mountain there are the family Penates called the _Bgha_ that, when offended, cause illness by eating the _Kala_ (psyche) of the person and ultimately cause his death if allowed to go on. They must be appeased by offerings of chicken or pig. Every member of the family must be present on the occasion to save one member from illness. It is hoped that the feast will be so tempting that the demon will leave the sufferer and take the food instead. The customs connected with these feasts differ in various localities and among different tribes. In many of the more civilized sections they are no longer carefully observed. Christians do not resort to them.