Onarigami - Onarigami

Japanese: オナリ神 - おなりがみ

A religious concept in the Ryukyu Islands. The belief that sisters have the spiritual power to protect their brothers. Onari refers to sisters as opposed to brothers (ekeri), and the term Onari-gami refers to their spiritual power. This concept is alive in everyday life, and sometimes a sister's words are respected regarding their brothers. There was a custom of sisters giving their brothers a hand towel or a strand of hair as a talisman when they went on a sea voyage, but in the olden days, only a limited number of people went on sea voyages, so this is not a common belief. In rural areas, there are widespread examples of onari presiding over rice harvest ceremonies, sowing ceremonies, and memorial services for ancestors.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

琉球諸島の宗教観念。姉妹に兄弟を守護する霊威があるという信仰。オナリは兄弟(エケリ)に対して姉妹を指し，その霊威を表す場合にオナリ神という。この観念は日常生活の中にも生きており，兄弟に関して，姉妹の発言が尊重されることもある。兄弟が船旅に出るとき，お守として姉妹が手ぬぐいや毛髪を持たせる習慣があったが，旧時代には船旅に出る人はかぎられ，一般の信仰とはいえない。農村では，稲の収穫儀礼や播種（はしゆ）儀礼，先祖の供養などをオナリが主宰する例が広く分布する。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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