Annual Events and the Okinawan Diet
Annual Events:
There are deeply rooted occasions and celebrations around the year in every country and region. In Okinawa, the lunar calendar features an almost unimaginable number of such occasions.
In Okinawa, an especially large number of annual events are associated with farmers' supplications for a good year. Annual harvest festivals and other occasions of this sort are called "Orime" or "Fushime," markers in the year's cycle. These derive from the religion of ancestor worship or have been introduced from mainland Japan or China. In older times, there was hardly a month without several special occasions.
The custom of annual observances has remained strong throughout Okinawa and continues today. Seimei Sai (Shiimi), introduced from China, and prayers to the fire god (Hinukan Nuugan) are events unique to Okinawa. The Bon festival is heavily influenced by Kume Village, home to the descendants of Chinese who long ago became naturalized Japanese.
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