Birdman Cult - Choujin Cult

Japanese: 鳥人カルト - ちょうじんカルト

A social, economic, magical and religious festival that took place on Easter Island in Eastern Polynesia in the South Pacific until the mid-19th century. Every year, from August to October, the chiefs of each tribe would send special servants called hopu to compete with each other to be the first to obtain the eggs of black terns that come to lay eggs on Motu Nui, a small island off the southwest coast of the island. The winner would be given the title of bird-man (Tangata Manu), be subject to taboo for one year, live in a special hut, and be in charge of the island's religious ceremonies. This was because they were considered to be the incarnation of Makemake, the creator god of Easter Island.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

南太平洋，東ポリネシアのイースター島で19世紀半ばまで行われた社会的，経済的，呪術･宗教的祭礼。毎年8月から10月にかけて同島南西沖のモトゥ･ヌイ小島に産卵にくるクロアジサシの卵を最初に手に入れようと，各部族の長はホプと呼ばれる特別の召使を小島に送って競い合う。勝者には鳥人のタイトル〈タンガタ･マヌ〉が与えられ，1年間タブーとなって，鳥人となった者は特別の小屋に住み，同島の宗教的儀式をつかさどる。これはイースター島の創造神マケマケの化身とみなされるためである。

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

<<: Stethoscope - stethoscope

>>: Superman (English spelling)