By Karina Darminto
It’s human nature to be drawn to the irregular, and what happened on the night of April 6th, 2021, definitely made people’s heads turn. Looking out from Beppu city’s apartments, students of APU stared in awe at the fire engulfing the mountains, flickering bright against the night sky. A lot of students expressed their concerns through social media. Some thought it was a volcano erupting, or maybe a strange case of forest fires, but what is interesting about this burning is that it is completely intentional.
The 野焼き (Noyaki; controlled burning) is an annual tradition that has been passed down for a long time, and is used as a grassland management tool. Besides having tremendous environmental advantages, it also carries deep cultural implications. In this article, we will have Professor Thomas Jones, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies in APU, to share his expertise regarding this grass burning.
So, what is 野焼き (Noyaki) ?
Professor Jones explained that Noyaki is the act of burning dried grass to maintain the grasslands and preserve biodiversity. In Beppu, however, it means more than just grass burning. Noyaki is also used as a traditional festival.
Benefits of the Burning
There are numerous advantages to the burning. According to Professor Jones, although it seems that burning the grasslands may be counterproductive, it is actually very crucial in maintaining the ecosystem. The burning helps to preserve pampas grass, the kinds of grass traditionally utilized for making roofs. They also help conserve very rare species of plants, insects, and butterflies.
"You see, if the burnings are not done, the grasslands will revert to forestlands. The flora and fauna that were previously reliant on the grasslands do not survive in any other habitats. If the grasslands are taken over by scrub and forest, the whole food web can collapse."
Though the burning is crucial in maintaining the ecosystem, there are also disadvantages according to Professor Jones.
"Even though it is called controlled burning, burning the grasslands is still a fire hazard, and situations can get out of control very quickly," he explained.
Unfortunately, fatalities have occurred in the past, often as a result of individuals being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Aside from that, the burning emits a considerable amount of carbon dioxide, which may contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
Cultural Implications
There are many volcanic mountains in Kyushu, and these mountains hold profound religious significance, essentially animism.
The burning has a lot to do with appeasing the spirits of the mountains in the hopes of preventing further eruptions. Such kinds of mythologies and beliefs are also present in other parts of the world, including the ones surrounding Mount Merapi, which is located in the Ring of Fire in Indonesia. Volcanoes are actually an important part of the natural heritage of many countries.
Professor Jones also mentioned that in some parts of Japan, local elementary and primary school children are taught about the Noyaki in order to preserve its tradition.
"I learned that they also do small practice burns in their schools", he added.
Noyaki and Tourism
Since the Noyaki in Beppu is conducted as a festival, the tourism stakeholders and local government officials promote it as a means to link the locals and the visitors. It provides a sense of camaraderie for the locals, and it allows visitors to enjoy the view of the freshly burned lush green as the grasslands grow back within a few weeks.
The grasslands are home to a variety of grassy shrubs and herbs, as well as breeding grounds for rare butterflies and other insects, attracting a large number of environmental enthusiasts.
Impact of COVID-19 on Noyaki
In regards to whether the pandemic has affected the Noyaki in any way, Professor Jones confirmed, "Most definitely". In Beppu particularly, the majority of those doing the actual burning is the elderly, who are also the most susceptible to the virus. In addition, due to social distancing and travel constraints, it is more difficult for the volunteers to come.
Thank you very much Professor Jones for sharing your insight and expertise! If you are interested in Noyaki in Japan, you can read more about them here:
All pictures courtesy of Professor Jones Thomas