Namahage facts for kids

Namahage is a very unique and exciting tradition from the Akita Prefecture in Japan. Imagine this: on New Year's Eve, scary-looking men dressed in straw capes and masks, carrying big knives, walk through the streets. They visit homes, looking for children! These men are called Namahage. Their job is to remind kids to be good and listen to their parents. It's a bit scary, but it's all part of a special New Year's ritual on the Oga Peninsula.

What Namahage Do

The main reason for Namahage to visit homes is to help children behave well. The Namahage might ask, "Are there any crybabies here?" or "Are there any naughty kids around?" They say these things in their local language. Sometimes, parents even ask the Namahage to give their children a special message. This helps kids understand the importance of being kind and helpful.

Some people believe that Namahage helps to get rid of bad luck. They think Namahage brings good fortune for the new year. Others believe it's an old farming tradition. It might have been a way to celebrate a good harvest.

Keeping the Tradition Alive

The Namahage tradition from the Oga Peninsula is very famous. In 1978, the Japanese government even named it an important cultural treasure. Long ago, almost every village on the peninsula celebrated Namahage. But over time, fewer and fewer villages kept the tradition going.

To help, the city of Oga started a special program. They offered support to local groups to encourage them to continue the Namahage festival. The goal was to make sure this amazing tradition would not be lost. However, it's still a challenge. Many young people are not available to play the role of Namahage. This means that even older villagers, some in their 70s, are dressing up. People are working hard to keep this special custom alive for future generations.

Namahage During Challenging Times

In recent years, like during the COVID-19 pandemic, many Namahage festivals had to be canceled. This was to keep everyone safe and healthy. However, some areas found creative ways to continue the tradition.

For example, in the Kobukata area, the Namahage actors changed how they did things. They did not go inside houses. They also did not share food or drinks, which was a usual part of the celebration. One of the actors said that the most important thing was to keep the tradition going, even in new ways. Thanks to their efforts, they managed to celebrate Namahage safely. This showed how dedicated people are to preserving their culture.

Images for kids

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  A dancing drummer wearing a Namahage costume, performed Namahage-Daiko in Akita Station.

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  Namahage costumes