Written by Greg Lane
The Paantu festival takes place on the Okinawa Prefecture island of Miyakojima in the far south of the archipelego.
What happens and when is it?
The villagers dress up as ‘Paantu’ — supernatural beings covered in mud and foliage. They also wear long masks. Their aim is to get mud on everything — kids, bystanders, cars, houses. Don’t worry though, the mud is a form of exorcism intended to expel evil spirits and bring good fortune. Actually, if you don’t want to get dirty, you really shouldn’t go. In the past there have been incidents in which the Paantu have embraced tourists — covering their clothes in mud — and have been attacked in return. As a result, the locals keep the actual dates under their hats and the Paantu are now accompanied by attendants.
The usual timing of the event is on two evenings in the first half of the 9th month of the Chinese calendar. The dates listed are our guess only. Actual dates will be announced just before the event.
Past events
The 2022 event happened on October 5 at around 5 p.m. In 2014, the event was on the 3rd and 4th of October.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
