오키나와 ‘아가리우마이’의 지속성

Abstract

The place that was designated as one of world culture heritages fells on that which was considered as a worshipping place of Okinawa people. In particular, it is closely related to a few holy places of ‘Agariumai’, a sacred place which is popular at present. ‘Agariumai’ was performed as an agricultural ritual at the national level in the Ryukyu Dynasty which existed in Okinawa. It was because that Amamikyo was believed to bring seeds of grain from Niraikanai and began to grow them in Agarikata. Therefore, ‘Agariumai’ was usually performed in September and October, the harvesting season. Also, as it was believed that the king of the Ryukyu Dynasty was the descendant of the sun that rose in the cave of the sun in Niraikanai, the Agariumai was performed as a sacrificial rite of the kings’ family. Agariumai which as a sacrificial rite of the village and Munchu was a ritual for ancestors who existed in Niraikanai. The place that brings happiness and peace to individuals was also Niraikanai. Therefore, ‘Agariumai’ is an ritual of Ryukyu and Okinawa people for Niraikanai. However, ‘Agariumai’ of the present that is performed in the personal level, not in the village or Munchu level is considered as an exception. ‘Agariumai ’ in the personal level is usually used as a tourist attraction to revive local areas and a field of exchange between modern people. At present, for survival and promotion of the ‘Agariumai,’ the Hyun and the city have been providing active support. However, regardless of any unit, as Sehwautakim was acknowledged as the 2000 world culture heritage, the nature of ‘Agariumai’ is ‘the origin of thanks’ to ancestors and the nature.