I just had to take a moment to plug this workshop which is being presented by my Okinawan music and dance troupe, Ukwanshin Kabudan. Since I am currently on hiatus from my dancing endeavors (with the exception of my weekly jaunts to the various obon dances), I missed out on a truly eye-opening and life-changing trip to the homeland. Thanks to my mother’s influence since my early childhood, I have always felt a strong connection to my ethnic identity mostly due to the appreciation and participation of the music and dance of my culture. It saddened me to hear that the culture is slowly fading in Okinawa, as generations of youth in the country are either provided a whitewashed version of the truth of their history or a commercialized repackaging of their arts. To think that it’s possible that my own children or grandchildren might not get a chance to learn about their heritage simply broke my heart. However, with the return of the group came reports about the positive impact that the message of Loochoo Nu Kwa had on the people of Okinawa which is sparking a cultural awakening. It is my hope that future visits and contacts made in Okinawa will continue to fan the embers of interest into flames of passion about the Okinawan culture.

If you are Okinawan or are interested in Okinawan culture or history, I urge you to attend this upcoming workshop. It will be an insightful and valuable time learning about this important aspect of our heritage.

Loochoo Nu Kwa: Children of Loochoo
Workshop on Okinawa’s music and dance as connected to its history and culture
Click to download the flyer

When: Saturday, August 25
Registration: 4:30 p.m.
Workshop: 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Where: Jikoen Hongwanji Hall, 1731 N. School Street, Honolulu

Presented by Ukwanshin Kabudan, sponsored in part by Young Okinawans of Hawai`i

This workshop will help you to understand the importance of music and dance in the history and culture of Okinawa. You will also hear the urgency to preserve and perpetuate the Ryukyuan traditional legacy as presented by Norman Kaneshiro, Eric Wada, and the Ukwanshin Kabudan members who have just returned from an emotional visit to Okinawa. If you have ever wondered about what it is to be Okinawan, or how you can strengthen your identity, this presentation will help you to understand.