Jurukunichi Festival for celebrating the New Year with ancestors

Jurukunichi Festival for celebrating the New Year with ancestors

The family members joined their hands in prayer at the Jurukunichi Festival in the Miegusuku district of Naha on February 15. (Photograph taken by Tetsuzo Tokeshi).


February 16, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

Okinawan people hold the Jurukunichi Festival or the New Year’s Day of the Dead on February 15 when is January 16 according to the Chinese calendar. In fine weather, more than ten families gathered to set tables on carpets in the Miegusuku district of Naha. They celebrated the New Year for ancestors by facing out to sea.

Seventy-four-year-old Nago resident Setsuko Shimajiri who came with her six family members, is from Miyako. She said, “More than 10 years have passed since the last time I celebrated the festival. I prayed for the health of my children and grandchildren this time.”

(English translation by T&CT)

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