The Suwa Pillar Festival revisited

Article Abstract:

The Suwa Pillar Festival shows the devotion Japanese maintain for mountains and trees. Every seven years, approximately 2,000 participants cut and carry 16 fir trees from the Okoya Mountains in central Honshu to the Suwa Shrine. This rite originally developed to encourage the local kami, or spirits, to send success in hunting or war or to protect crops. It currently serves as a display of national character to an international audience, with an ironic integration of American elements such as including women and band music.

Japan, Rites, ceremonies and celebrations, Religious aspects, Trees, Trees (Plants), Shinto

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Communal creation revisited: authorship and creativity in the Elzacher "Fasnet"

Article Abstract:

The Moritat storytelling events which take place in Elzach, Germany, during the days immediately preceding Lent provide examples to study the art of storytelling as defined by folklorist Robert Georges. Georges was interested in stories as social events. The Moritat stories are composed in advance of the performance, but they can still be seen as communal creative efforts. The authors must consider the festival context in which the works will be presented and often create in collaboration during rehearsals.

Criticism and interpretation, Folklore, Storytelling, Narration (Rhetoric), Narration

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Adoption of HYV technology in Asian countries: the role of concessionary credit revisited

Article Abstract:

A survey of concessionary credit programs to support farmers in adopting high-yielding varieties of rice and wheat indicates that programs characterized by loan default and large farmer bias achieved success due to lower risks associated with the new technology. Although the two factors were previously assumed to effect negative results, they actually helped small farmers in southeast Asia achieve equity.

Evaluation, Finance, Grain industry, Agricultural policy, Southeast Asia, Agricultural credit, Agricultural administration, Agricultural assistance, Foreign agricultural assistance

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