Voorstellingen van rituelen te Pegu 1726

Bernard Picart created this print, titled 'Voorstellingen van rituelen te Pegu,' which translates to 'Representations of Rituals in Pegu’. Pegu, now known as Bago, is a city in Myanmar. The prints offer glimpses into the cultural practices of the Pegu people, seen through the lens of an 18th-century European artist. The upper panel appears to show a water festival, while the lower panel depicts funeral ceremonies for their deceased king. Reflecting the era's colonial attitudes, Picart's work presents a Western interpretation of non-Western rituals. This representation invites us to consider the power dynamics inherent in cross-cultural depictions and the potential for misinterpretation or exoticization. While the image provides a historical record, it also prompts reflection on the complexities of cultural exchange and representation. What stories might these rituals tell from the perspective of the Pegu people themselves?