The Okinawa Community and Women : -including marriage in Moasobi-

Abstract

Ancient days, Okinawa Community was called the world of god, and Villages were formed around woods named Utaki meaning the place of religious service, where people invite gods. It was a woman that invite god, the woman was so called Onari, in Okinawa women was named Onari and men-Ekeri, Onari was guardian god for Ekieri, with developing of the community. Onari became Noro, later, armed man begun to conquer the village, who was called Aji-a ruler there. It's greatest one was King. King ruled with Noro separating government from religious service. In 1609, when the Shimazu-feudal clan of Satuma invaded there, since the divine status of woman changed and became decline gradually. The next one, let us refer to Moasobi. Marriage of common people in Okinawa was usually through Moasobi. Moasobi means that people play in the field. The young ware playing and singing and dancing with the Samisen in hand in the field, then the yonng man and woman united naturally. As in Meiji era, government prohibited it, and Moasobi changed into illicit marriage. I firmly belive that marriage in moasobi in night of southern islands fulled with deep blue beauty is marriage of human life in itself.