Saadaka: an Aspect of Shamanism, Spiritual Power, and Pollution in Okinawa by Crystal Michelle Mccormick a Thesis Submitted to T
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Saadaka: An Aspect of Shamanism, Spiritual Power, and Pollution in Okinawa by Crystal Michelle McCormick A thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Auburn University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts Auburn, Alabama May 9, 2011 Copyright 2010 by Crystal McCormick Approved by Raj P. Mohan, Chair, Professor of Sociology Gregory Kowalski, Professor of Sociology Joseph Molnar, Professor of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology Abstract The island of Okinawa has a history rich with tradition and cultural practices that are unique even to the Japanese culture. Especially unique, are the religious practices incorporating shamanism. These practices incorporate an array of concepts that revolve around family, ancestors, and community. Beliefs about the supernatural the connection to the living are interesting and ever-present. My research investigates previously collected ethnographies on the Ryukyuan Religion and the interaction between humans and the spirit world. I incorporate a theoretical framework that explores the practices in a social context and discuss the linear relationship between ritual, pollution, and liminality of death and deification. It is important to analyze the culture holistically, especially the roots from whence it came. And, as Susan Sered suggested, “…it is often via religious rituals and ideologies that women and men express their deepest concerns, their truest selves, their fears, hopes and passions” (Sered, 1994). ii Acknowledgments I would like to thank Dr. Raj Mohan for his support and guidance on this project. He has never failed to believe in me through this endeavor. His patience and understanding far surpass his call of duty, and makes him an exceptional professor. I would also like to thank Dr. Gregory Kowalski for his encouragement and confidence in me and my study. Dr. Joseph Molnar was also an invaluable committee member, and I am very grateful for his advice and direction. In addition, I would like to extend my appreciation to Dr. Kristina Shuler and Dr. Kelly Alley for their extensive assistance. It is with their guidance that I was able to truly focus on the specific aspects that made my study unique. Also, I would like to thank Dr. Allen Furr for his interest in my project and for the essential advice that made its completion possible. Several other professors, teachers, advisors, and friends made immense contributions with their advice, kind words, and understanding. To those people, those who spoke about my future, my worries, intentionality, and my life, you will eternally have my gratitude and admiration. A special thanks to Mr. Thompson, may you find peace. To my Mom and Dad, I thank you for the years of support, confidence, and walking me through some of the rough patches. To my sisters, thank you for always being there. And finally, to my Grandmother, Hide-oba, and Aunt Donna, and Uncle Ross thank you so much for your inspiration, I could not have done this without my family. iii Table of Contents Abstract............................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgments.............................................................................................................. iii List of Figures.................................................................................................................... vi Chapter I: Introduction ......................................................................................................1 Methodological Model ............................................................................................3 Chapter II: Okinawa and Religion .....................................................................................5 Theories on Religion ..............................................................................................5 The Location ...........................................................................................................7 Ryukyuan Religion ................................................................................................7 Practitioners ..........................................................................................................12 Chapter III: Ritual Activity ..............................................................................................20 Rituals and Social Theory ....................................................................................20 Community Rituals ...............................................................................................21 Household Rituals ................................................................................................23 Shamanistic Rituals ...............................................................................................29 Chapter IV: Folk Medicine: Curing and Culture .............................................................31 Efficacy and Culture-bound Illnesses ..................................................................31 Deconstructing the Placebo Effect ........................................................................31 Spirits with Scalpels .............................................................................................34 Culture-bound Syndromes in Malaysia ................................................................36 The Q’eqchi’ ........................................................................................................38 Explanatory Models ..............................................................................................39 Chapter V: Comparative Analysis ...................................................................................40 Theories on Pollution ...........................................................................................40 Power and Pollution in China ...............................................................................40 Korean Shamanism ..............................................................................................45 Chapter VI: Possession and Pollution ..............................................................................49 Spirit Pollution in Theory ....................................................................................49 Embodiment ..........................................................................................................52 French Rationalism ..............................................................................................54 The Mindful Body .................................................................................................56 Chapter VII: Findings and Conclusion ............................................................................58 Association Between Pollution and Liminality ...................................................58 Future Studies .......................................................................................................62 References ........................................................................................................................76 Appendix I .......................................................................................................................82 Appendix II ......................................................................................................................83 ii List of Figures Figure 1: Hierarchy and Description of Kami....................................................................10 Figure 2: Relationship Between Pollution and Liminality ................................................75 iii Chapter I. Introduction to the Study Purpose, Research Questions, and Hypothesis The purpose of this study is to investigate Ryukyuan Religion and the interaction between humans and the spirit world through the analysis of previous research on Okinawan belief systems, incorporating a theoretical framework that explores the practices in a social context, and by providing a cross-comparative analysis to similar East Asian religious beliefs and rituals. Below I have listed my research questions, followed by my proposed method to answer, and how I answer each. Questions: 1. What are the basic ideas and concepts behind the belief systems in Okinawa and how are they relevant to the social structure in Okinawa today? a. I answer this question by discussing the ethnographies compiled by previous researchers and situating these ethnographies in a foundation of sociological and anthropological theories. i. Chapters two-four discusses certain social structures, such as the significance attributed to familial relationships, may help explain the continued practices of folk religion in an area where biomedicine, scientific technology, and many Western ideas have long been incorporated. In addition, these sections discuss ritual activity, efficacy and folk healing as it pertains to the Okinawan belief system. 1 2. How are certain concepts of “pollution” and “purity” integrated into the Ryukyuan belief system and how do they compare to other similar cultural ideas of pollution? a. I answer this question by comparing the research from Okinawa to Chinese belief systems and other East Asian societies. i. Chapter five compares the strong similarities between Chinese, Korean, and Okinawan ideas of pollution, which probably exist in Okinawa due to early Chinese influence on Ryukyuan culture. 3. Can the belief in pathogenic possession be considered “polluting” to a living person and how is this explained with