JAWing On – Life on Okinawa

It’s August on Okinawa! This is the time of year when summer hits its full swing. Go outside at 10a.m. and you’ll walk into a wall of heat and humidity. It’s also the time of year when the night fills with sounds of Eisa drums in preparation for Obon. The drums are one of the more endearing and interesting facets of the Ryukyu culture. Almost every foreigner is fascinated by the energy and rhythm of the beat of the Okinawan Eisa drum. Thirty years ago, I wanted to learn to play the Eisa drum, but at that time, women were limited to the role of dancer. Fortunately times change and now there are programs available that allow foreigners to join-in on the annual Obon Eisa festivities. The new system also allows females to participate as drummers!