Summui people

The **Summui people** [すっむい豆型, lit. 'people of the islands'] are an ethnic group native to the Zōku/Summui islands in the far north of Kanton. They often speak the Sunpaku language, which is considered to be one of the two Kantonese language branches, the other being Kantonese and its dialects. Historically, the Summui inhabited what are now the modern-day prefectures of Inaki, Uchi and Zōhai.

The Summui have a distinct culture, native folk religion, and cuisine into which rice was only introduced in the 1300s. The population lived on the Summui islands in isolation for many centuries, and in the 1200s the Summui Kingdom was formed by a number of warlords. This government was able to efficiently continue and expand the maritime trade which started in the 10th century with China. The Kingdom maintained some semblance of independence in vassal status after the invasion of the Daimi clan in 1710, and remained under the control of the Imperial kunjō until its dissolution in the 1800s.

## Culture

### Religion

The native and ancient Summui folk religion is called Sudaro, which roughly means 'faith of the islands'. In official Kantonese documents of yesteryear, it was given the Kantonese moniker Nanzō, 'island religion', but this name is very rarely used nowadays.

Generally, spirituality was considered the realm of women in Honnan. Indeed, almost exclusively women held positions as shamans, spirit communicators and conductors of ceremonies and rituals. Traditional Summui society also gave women a higher status than in Kanton or China. In Sudaro it is believed that the gods inherently lack gender, but religious statues always depict spirits in the form of a human woman, and many religious sites were closed to men. There were a number of spiritual rituals in ancient Summui society which could not be held in the presence of men, such as the traditional girls' coming-of-age rite *banami*.

Village priestesses, known as *asha*, wore white or dark red clothing and were adorned with various beaded items of jewellery. Their duty was to communicate with the spirits and gain insight about future or present events and issues. In times of distress, *asha* would attempt to invoke the energy and blessings of a certain spirit to protect a village. As these women were chosen and appointed through a special ceremony, it was believed that they had the favour of the gods. Therefore, they were often considered naturally auspicious people and were often called on to bless the dying or newly-born babies, to cast spells of good fortune, or to treat the sick. Often, *asha* would work as healers. They were also permitted to practice polygamy.

Until the 18th century, the native people of modern-day Inaki made annual pilgrimages to the holy site Darokorai, a large cave system located in modern-day Inaki, which is filled with crystals and stalacities believed to be divinely blessed. Springs, waterfalls, lakes and indeed water in all of its forms were considered highly sacred and held in high value, especially since the islands often suffered drought. Fire was considered an inherently dangerous and unpredictable thing which had to be 'harnessed' and 'tamed' in order to function as a tool for cooking, smithing, and heat; however, due to the cold climate of the Honnan region, it was also valued.

During the Seisetsu period the government sought to replace Sudaro with Kiren and Buddhism as the islands' state religions. In the 1920s the building of Kiren temples and remodelling of previous with traditional Kiren symbols, paid by local tax money, which was a financial burden to the impoverished islanders. However in recent decades Sudaro has experienced a revival, and it is estimated that around 30,000 practitioners still remain.

### Cuisine

Summui food is rich in vitamins and minerals and has a good balance of protein, fats and carbohydrates. Rice is a staple food, along with beef, pork, chicken, seaweed, potatoes, various root vegetables, soups, stews, fish, and various salted or smoked meats. Perhaps most famous to tourists is the Snapdragon brand of beer, native to the city of Senpu, and *gakori* stew, which is made with seafood. The Summui cuisine also includes desserts such as *shiko*, shortbread-like biscuits made from lard and flour, and a kind of sweetened rice porridge called *asasubi*. Various teas were also traditionally consumed, along with potato liquor, known as *nōzan*.

### Arts

The art of archery is extremely significant in Summui culture and the crossbow has been a staple weapon of the island army for centuries. Flaming arrows were also often used in rituals, particularly when aiming to chase away evil spirits, a custom which the ancient Kantonese also practiced.

Another important and rather famous aspect of Summui culture is dance. *Atabari* is a type of traditional dance which has been performed for over 500 years in the islands. The dancing often tells a story, although it was sometimes performed during rituals to either entertain or intimidate benevolent or malicious spirits. The *sanshin*, a stringed instrument developed from the Chinese *sanxian*, is the predominant instrument used to accompany singing and dancing, although drums and reed flutes were also used.

There are also music styles which are exclusive to the Summui islands. The widest-known style is called *jōkaki* and typically incorporates vigorous dancing, drums, and the three-stringed *sanshin*. Traditional Summui songs are very distinct from traditional Kantonese songs, with a high-pitched, warbling tone often adopted. Story-songs or *pakuyā* will tell historical tales or poems in lyrical format.

Women frequently wore indigo tattoos (*baoki*) on their bodies as a mark of beauty, respect and prestige; unfortunately this practice was banned in 1779 by the Kantonese government, although it became legal again in 1981. In some parts of the archipelaego, particularly Kage and southern Dainan, the *dotomaze* hairstyle, which featured a long braid down one's back and was worn by both genders, was common until the 1920s.

*Dainan-sōfu*, literally meaning 'rough cloth of Dainan', is a type of tweed made from weaving sheeps' wool. Clothing made with *dainan-sōfu* is often very expensive yet high-quality, as there are few remaining artesans who still produce these traditional garments.