排灣族五年祭

排灣族人相信,祖先的靈魂居住在北大武山上,因此視北大武山為聖山。相傳,每隔五年排灣族祖先會和創世神塔卡勞斯及其他神,由北大武山起程巡視族人居住的村落是否平安,請神降臨人間,接受族人的獻祭。由於每次巡視的時間要5年,因此排灣族人便每五年舉辦祭典,做為與祖靈相見的儀式,是排灣族最重要的祭典。完整的五年祭典長達7-15天,從準備工作到祭典完畢,大致上分為前祭、刺球及送神等三個階段,其中又以刺球的習俗最為特別。習俗上,刺球儀式是嚴禁女子或妻子懷有身孕的男子參加,而能參加刺球儀式的男子被視為一種榮譽,刺到球的男子也將受到族人的喝采。刺球儀式主要在祈求好運,希望能農作豐收、家畜興旺,家人與族人都能平安健康。

 

The Paiwan tribe believes that their ancestral spirits, dwelling in Mountain Beidawu, descend every five years with god of genesis Dagaraws to pay a visit to their descendents. A ceremony, which is held every five years for the Paiwan to invite the deities to accept offerings in the human world, is the tribe’s most important ritual. The five-year ceremony lasts 7 to 15 days and is divided into three stages, among which, the “spearing of the bliss balls,” or djemuljat, is considered the highlight of the festival. Women and men whose wives are pregnant are not allowed to take part. Men who succeed in spearing the balls with their bamboo poles win applause from tribespeople. This particular ritual is to wish for good harvest and blessing for the tribe.