오키나와에서의 민속적 시간의 재편 −난조 시(南城市)의 ‘하쓰우간(初拜)’ 사례 고찰−

Abstract

Generally, Okinawans live according to the solar calendar, but they celebrate the traditional town occasions or ceremonies for their god and family events according to the lunisolar calendar. Both the solar calendar and the lunisolar calendar exists in their daily lives. This paper is to study the different layers of the community in regards to the reorganization of the time for enforcement of the ritual “Hatsugan” among the traditional events for New Year's Day. It is based on the field survey results in Shinzato, Nanjo-city, carried out from December 2015 to January 2016. Because New Year's Day is a public holiday and the community members can be assembled, “Hatsugan” is celebrated on the date indicated on the solar calender; it is not on the lunisolar calendar, which is more related to their everyday lives in Shinzato. However, the primary purpose of “Uganbutuchi,” celebrated on December 24th of the lunisolar calendar, is to remove the hope in the year “Hatsugan.” By erasing the existing hope, they can pray for the new year. Originally, the new year “Hatsugan” is followed by “Uganbutuchi,” but because the date of “Hatsugan” is celebrated according to the solar calendar, the new year's prayer is offered up without removing the last year's hope. It is the same with the case of Minei, Nanjo-city. Considering the purpose of the ritual, the change of the time for enforcement of “Uganbutuchi” can lead to the destruction of the ritual. Through this example, it was confirmed that a folk ritual could be reorganized and destroyed by the changing circumstances and its adaptabilities.