and
Shwe Hpyin Nyidaw. Mei Wunna was a flower-eating ogress of
Mount Popa, an extinct volcano southeast of
Bagan. The word
Popa is derived from the Pali word for flower. According to legend, King
Anawrahta of Bagan ordered
Byatta, a mythical person of Indian descent endowed with supernatural powers upon consumption of an inanimate
Zawgyi (Burmese alchemist), to fetch fresh flowers ten times daily from Mount Popa. Byatta fell in love with Mei Wunna and eventually conceived the two brothers, Shwe Hpyin Naungdaw and Shwe Hpyin Nyidaw. Me Wunna died of a broken heart after Byatta was killed and later their sons were taken away on the king's orders. She became a nat known as Popa Medaw (Mother of Popa). Upon the glorification of the two brothers into the 37 Nat Pantheon, the status of Mei Wunna was raised and she became the Queen-Mother of Popa. As her title suggests, she has dominion over Mount Popa. ==See also==