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Angama
The Summer Event In Yaeyama
Date:31, Jan, 2023
Investigated and Written by Misaka Youhei
About our introductory articles


Hello, everyone. I'm here talking about Angama today. Do you know it? The event is held in the Yaeyama district of Okinawa.

What's the Yaeyama district? You must ask if you are almost unfamiliar with Okinawa. It means several islands existing in the southwestern part of Okinawa, including Ishigaki island and Yonaguni.



Miyara River in the Ishigaki Island
File: Mangrove of Miyara River.jpg
from the Japanese Wikipedia
(Photoed in 2006 October)

Japanese people mostly have their special period called Obon in summer. In the period, spirits of their ancestors ride on horse and come back to this world. And they go back to the other world after while, riding cow. In Yaeyama district, that custom has also held among them. That is "Angama." In the district, some act as Usyumai (old man), Nmi (old woman) and farmer (their children). The group parades to several facilities like hotels, nursery schools and houses of celebration.



The Masks of Usyumai & Nmi
File: Ishigaki yaimamura angama.jpg
from the Japanese Wikipedia
(Photoed on July 21, 2010)

Their children (farmer) play musical instruments following a couple of Usyumai and Nmi. The group visits and shows their traditional dance. And Usyumai and Nmi (the couple from the other world) talk with the living ones in this world.

They say visitors can check the schedule of the parade in advance by the local newspaper and magazines. It is said that, however, they often reschedule and change their destination on the spot without any notice. You can freely look at the Angama parade. And of course you have to be well-mannered at the event.





 

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