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Okinawa’s traditional rituals have been handed down since the days of the Ryukyu Kingdom (1429-1879), but many customs have recently disappeared or been transformed due to changing lifestyles and depopulation.
In the village of Ogimi in northern Okinawa Island, a ritual called Ungami took place on Aug. 14. Four female priests, known as “kaminchu,” sat on the beach under a clear sky and recited prayers to the sea as islanders silently watched with their heads bowed and hands pressed together.
Ungami is a festival to welcome the sea deity and pray for a good harvest and catches in addition to the well-being of the people. It is based on the uniquely Okinawan belief that the deity lives in a place called Niraikanai, far out to sea.
Similar festivals take place mainly in the northern part of Okinawa Island, but the Ungami of Shioya Bay in this village has been designated as a national important folk cultural asset because it preserves the form of the ancient beliefs. Related events such as rowboat races and sumo matches were canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the ritual itself continues to be performed.
“Ungami has united and strengthened our community for generations,” said Akira Chinen, head of the Shioya district. “We feel connected to the deity, our ancestors and our history. We can’t let it die out.
