Hkun Ai
In Burmese mythology, Hkun Ai is a heroic figure who became entwined with the mystical world of the Nagas, serpent-like beings that hold great significance in Southeast Asian mythology. His story begins with a fateful encounter when he fell in love with a Naga princess, a beautiful dragon woman. Entranced by her, Hkun Ai decided to leave his human world behind and live in the magical underwater kingdom of the Nagas.
To ease his transition into this new life, the Naga king, father of the princess, commanded all the Nagas to assume human form. In doing so, they concealed their true dragon shapes, making it easier for Hkun Ai to adapt. However, during the Naga water festival, a time of celebration for these magical beings, the Nagas reverted to their original serpent forms and sported in the waters, reveling in their natural state.
Witnessing this display of their true nature left Hkun Ai feeling melancholic. His heart longed for the familiar comforts of his homeland, and he yearned to return to his parents. Sympathetic to his sadness, the Naga princess agreed to let him go. However, before his departure, she made a promise: she would lay an egg, from which their child would be born. The child, she explained, could be nourished from Hkun Ai’s little finger whenever he thought of her.
True to her word, a child was born from the egg and was named Tung Hkam, meaning “Golden Dead Leaves.” This son of both human and Naga lineage grew up to be a strong and capable man, inheriting both the wisdom of his human father and the mystical powers of his Naga mother.
As Tung Hkam matured, he set his sights on Princess Pappawadi, a beautiful maiden whose palace was situated on an island, surrounded by water. However, the challenge was daunting: in order to marry her, he had to reach her palace without the use of a bridge, boat, or raft. Tung Hkam, recognizing the need for extraordinary help, called upon his Naga mother for assistance. In response, she appeared and stretched her immense serpent body across the waters, creating a living bridge that allowed him to cross over to the palace.
With this feat, Tung Hkam won Princess Pappawadi’s hand in marriage. Together, they ruled for many years, with Tung Hkam reigning as king for an impressive 72 years. Upon his death, his legacy continued through his two sons, Hkun Lu and Hkun Lai, who each succeeded him, carrying forward the lineage of a man who once bridged the worlds of humans and dragons.
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow – Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante
