Photo By Sgt. Nicholas Ranum | Dancers perform the Shishi Mai, or Lion Dog dance, during the Okinawan Dance...... read more read more
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OKINAWA, Japan - As the crowd made their way to their seats, the lights dimmed, silence fell, and the audience’s collective attention shifted to the stage.
The announcers walked on stage and introduced the schools taking part in the show. Each had put in hours of practice to perfect their art. Now they stood backstage waiting for the music to begin. Curtains were drawn back and the musicians began to play, starting the exhibition.
The Marine Corps Community Services hosted an Okinawan Dance Appreciation Night at the Fine Arts Performance Theater here Nov. 25.
“This is the fifth year for the event,” said Bart Corn, the director of MCCS Marine and Family Programs Personal Services Center. “Two years ago we almost had to turn people away because it was so popular. Luckily, we did not have to do it that year.”
MCCS operates the Fine Arts Appreciation Theater on Camp Foster which allows for easier scheduling.
“We had 250 people show up at Camp Courtney two years ago. We like to do it at other camps but we needed a larger venue,” said Corn. “This year, we have 320 people sign up and we had seating for up to 400 in case we need it. Sometimes, we have people that show up without reservations. Due to the increase in popularity and attendance, we may have to hold it at the Camp Foster Theater eventually. It is becoming one of our signature events.”
MCCS fulfills part of its mission by allowing Marines and their families to experience the local culture through this performance, said Corn.
“The dances allow the people of Okinawa to maintain the unique atmosphere of their culture,” said Rose Barros, emcee for the event from the MCCS Personal Services Center.
Marines are exposed to the local culture through events like this, according to Col. Nicholas F. Nanna, the commanding officer of Headquarters and Service Battalion on Camp Foster.
“The dancers are all volunteers that come on their own time to perform here,” said Corn. “They enjoy being able to come on base and perform for the Marines and their families.”
The dancers came from various backgrounds and varying ages.
“Some of the older performers teach English at local high schools,” Corn said. “They try to aggressively recruit younger students so that they can be trained from an early age.”
In some regards it is similar to Native American dancing, said Corn. They try to get them early and train them to ensure the dances are not forgotten by younger generations.
“The performances were used to spread the gospel of Okinawan culture,” said Corn. “The dances are unique to the island and each movement has purpose and all dances have meaning. Each dancer is revered in their culture.”
The traditional and creative dances are from the Koten, Zoo Odori and Sosaku Buyoo dance categories.
“The dances began in the Shuri court during the Ryukyu Kingdom”, said Barros.
The dances are used to describe Okinawan life, depict happiness, celebrate holidays or greet visiting dignitaries from another country. These dances give a brief glimpse of the history of the Shuri court from the 15th century to the late 19th century.
The performance is not only limited to the sharing of Okinawa culture but also American culture with a Thanksgiving meal for the dancers after the performance.
“After the performance, we have a meal for the performers,” said Corn. “We each bring a dish and there is turkey, ham and other Thanksgiving dishes.”
Following the performance there was a photo opportunity for the audience.
“We encouraged pictures to be taken during and after the performance,” Corn said. “The dancers were in full costume and love to take pictures with the audience. It spreads the word of their culture and it lets them know that the audience enjoyed their performance.”
| Date Taken: | 11.26.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 12.14.2011 00:07 |
| Story ID: | 81325 |
| Location: | OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 142 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Okinawan dancers bring culture to Camp Foster, by Sgt Nicholas Ranum, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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