Abstract
This paper combines archival and ethnographic material to explore how
the islanders in Okinawa practice their traditional culture to maintain their
unique existence and identity under the modern nation-state. The author
discusses the notion of ‘cultural performance’, the formation of a core tradition
and its contribution to the ‘consciousness of a common culture,’ in order to
analyze the ritual and performance of Tanadui, the most important annual ritual
in Taketomi Island in the Ya’eyama region.
The tradition of performing arts, including songs, music, dance and
drama, as the devotion in ritual Tanadui in Taketomi originated from the
indigenous belief in utaki (sacred groves) widely seen in the Ryukyu islands.
The ritual has developed into a cultural complex embracing religion, history and
art, all of which were influenced by the regime of the Ryukyu Kingdom. In the
ritualistic performances, the music, sound, vernacular, movement and other
symbolized vehicles and signs of feeling all give concrete contents and forms
to the Taktomian culture via the annual practices.
The devotional performing arts hence have become a recognizable
regional tradition. Generations of different origins view, participate, perform,
teach and then step off the stage, thereby vitalizing the rich tradition with their
efforts. This collective autographic performance thus allows the multi-layered
culture and history of Ryukyu to be presented to themselves and the onlookers.
Through this case study, the author will also illustrate the
exchange-orientation of island culture, especially in relation to the mainland
culture. Existential differences between the two inspire imagination,
anticipation, interpretation and in turn self-awareness, all of which has been
reflected in the cultural production of the islanders. While they draw their
borders in the seemingly endless ocean, they also clearly perceive and
welcome the power and influences of the greater land. Through the mediation
of history, cultural factors of different origins interact with each other and are
used by the Ryukyuan islanders. This uniquely integrated island cultural chain
has been formed by the combined forces of dynamic temporal stratification and
spatial diffusion between the mainland and the island.
the islanders in Okinawa practice their traditional culture to maintain their
unique existence and identity under the modern nation-state. The author
discusses the notion of ‘cultural performance’, the formation of a core tradition
and its contribution to the ‘consciousness of a common culture,’ in order to
analyze the ritual and performance of Tanadui, the most important annual ritual
in Taketomi Island in the Ya’eyama region.
The tradition of performing arts, including songs, music, dance and
drama, as the devotion in ritual Tanadui in Taketomi originated from the
indigenous belief in utaki (sacred groves) widely seen in the Ryukyu islands.
The ritual has developed into a cultural complex embracing religion, history and
art, all of which were influenced by the regime of the Ryukyu Kingdom. In the
ritualistic performances, the music, sound, vernacular, movement and other
symbolized vehicles and signs of feeling all give concrete contents and forms
to the Taktomian culture via the annual practices.
The devotional performing arts hence have become a recognizable
regional tradition. Generations of different origins view, participate, perform,
teach and then step off the stage, thereby vitalizing the rich tradition with their
efforts. This collective autographic performance thus allows the multi-layered
culture and history of Ryukyu to be presented to themselves and the onlookers.
Through this case study, the author will also illustrate the
exchange-orientation of island culture, especially in relation to the mainland
culture. Existential differences between the two inspire imagination,
anticipation, interpretation and in turn self-awareness, all of which has been
reflected in the cultural production of the islanders. While they draw their
borders in the seemingly endless ocean, they also clearly perceive and
welcome the power and influences of the greater land. Through the mediation
of history, cultural factors of different origins interact with each other and are
used by the Ryukyuan islanders. This uniquely integrated island cultural chain
has been formed by the combined forces of dynamic temporal stratification and
spatial diffusion between the mainland and the island.
| Translated title of the contribution | Ritual, Performance and Culture: A Study of Tanadui in Taketomi in Okinawa |
|---|---|
| Original language | Chinese |
| Article number | 81 |
| Pages (from-to) | 83-110 |
| Number of pages | 28 |
| Journal | Journal of Archaeology and Anthropology |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 2014 |
Keywords
- Okinawa, Taketomi Island, Tanadui, ritual, cultural performance
Profiles
-
Chi-Fang Chao
- School of Arts and Digital Industries - Senior Lecturer
- Centre for Research in Arts and Creative Exchange
Person: Academic