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| 1.Paantu
appears in the village to dispel evil spirits and
bring luck (Satu Punaha
ritual) |
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| 2.In the Satuu
Punaha ritual, the Pantuu
god dons kyaan (Derris
trifoliata) leaves and covers his body completely
with mud. On the back of his head, he wears a ritual
cross made from grass and carries a cane. |
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| 3.The Pantuu
god wears a unique mask and coats his body with
smelly mud. (Shimajiri's Satuu
Punaha Rite) |
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| 4.At Ueno's* Nobaru district,
the Paantu god appears
in the Sateiparou
rite. The god is incarnated by an upper elementary
school student (boy) who wears a mask. Accompanied
by a troupe of conch horn blower, drummers, a group
of children and women dressed in grassy skirts and
crowns, the Paantu
god and the troupe shout "Hoi,
Hoi" and parade around the community
to dispel evils spirits. |
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On the Miyako Islands, it is believed that gods take on visible,
tangible forms. "Paantu"
is such a god incarnated by young community members wearing
masks and costumes, and is observed at Shimajiri, Nobaru and
Kurima Island.
Shimajiri's Paantu rite is
held for two days in September of the lunar calendar. Donning
masks preserved at three areas where the community was believed
to have originated, young community members pose as gods to
dispel evil spirits and bring luck. These gods are completely
covered with smelly mud and grassy skirts as they appear in
the village at dusk. They visit houses and coat a multitude
of items, including houses and cars, with mud. They give chase
to anyone they see and paint them with mud.
Designation: National Important Intangible
Folk Cultural Property
Registration Owner or Holder: Hirara's Shimajiri Community
Association, Ueno's Nobaru Community Association
Photo Courtesy of: Shigeo Tobaru(1)
Sadamori Shinjyo(2,3,4) |
