Tarama traditional ceremony “Upuri” for sinking insect pests into the sea in prayer for a bountiful harves

Tarama traditional ceremony “Upuri” for sinking insect pests into the sea in prayer for a bountiful harves

Officials carrying the “insect boat” offshore, on March 29 in Tarama Village


April 24, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Megumi Kiyomura

 

On March 29, which is “Hinoene” in February of the lunar calendar, the traditional ceremony “Upuri” was held on the shore in Tarama Village. The “nissaigassa” in charge of ritual ceremonies and local “aza” district officials placed insect pests on an “insect boat” and sank them into the sea while praying for a bountiful harvest.

 

Upuri is a ceremony for protection against insect pests in which insect pests are captured in the early morning, wrapped in kuwazuimo (giant taro) leaves, and placed on an insect boat made from tree branches. Then, when the tide is low, aza officials carrying the insect boat swim offshore and sink the boat into the sea.

 

Tsunemi Nakasuji, the nissaigassa of Tomari Utaki, said, “We sent the insect pests offshore with a prayer for a bountiful harvest across the island. We hope that only good will come.”

 

(English translation by T&CT and Sandi Aritza)

 

Go to Japanese


　


Previous Article:
Next Article:

[Similar Articles]