This paper describes the so-called "knot divination" (which I
prefer to call "number divination" or "divination from number")
as practiced on Satawal, in the Central Caroline Islands. This
phenomenon was studied during field research conducted in 1978.
Divination based on the number of knots randomly tied in coconut
pinnas was used by the inhabitants of most of the Caroline Islands
until just prior to World War. II. Few people, however, now
believe in this kind of divination. I was instructed in the secrets
of "number divination" on Satawal Island by one of the few old
diviners who recalls the major features of the process.
Divination begins with the stripping of a coconut frond pinna
into four segments. The diviner then ties a _random number of
knots in each of the strips and counts the knots in each one. The
knots are counted into independent groups of four. The sequential
number of the last knot on each strip is the significant number
as it is combined with its corresponding number of the second
strip of the pair. The two sets of paired numbers derived from
the four frond strips are interpreted for the omen. The actual
number of possible combinations is 16 times 16, or 256. The
names and omens of all 256 combinations were ascertained, and
the stories of 139 combinations which tell why good or bad omens
are given to a particular combinations were collected.
The myth of how man acquired the art of divination tells
of a mythological canoe that belonged to the spirits of heaven
being let down to earth and teaching man the art. It is most
significant that the 16 spirits represent the 16 combinations of
numbers derived from the random making of knots. A detailed
explanation of the mechanic of divination in relation to the 16
mythological spirits that act important roles in deciding omens
is given, as is a description of divination rituals. Finally, the
importance of the number four (its multiples and divisions) in
divination, as well as on many ceremonial occasions, is noted.
サタワル島の数占い : その基本体系について
KH_004_2_001.pdf
(5.08MB)
