Autmn festivals in Lake Akan
#2 Marimo Festival(Part 2/2)

The autumn leaves are at their peak, and Lake Akan is a beautiful sight with red-yellow-brown colors shining between the evergreen trees.

Continuing from previous posts, we would like to introduce the "Marimo Festival" held at Lake Akan from October 8th to 10th.



▼Click here for the previous article

https://www.kamuylumina.jp/en/sp/enjoy/enjoy-4854/

This time, we would like to introduce the rituals and dances of the Ainu people during the Marimo Festival.

The people of the town live together and respect the rich nature that surrounds Marimo in Lake Akan.

In Lake Akan, we are often reminded that we humans are kept alive and protected by nature.

Ritual to welcome Marimo

On the second night, a young Ainu man rides a Maruki-bune (Ainu's traditional dugout canoe) to the shore of Lake Akan to pick up Marimo.

When the Maruki-bune arrives at the lakeside, the marimo is handed over to the Ekashi (elder) of Lake Akan Ainu Kotan(village).

After welcoming Marimo safely, the torch march begins from the shores of Lake Akan to the Ainu Kotan.

Torch march

Ainu people from all over Hokkaido with traditional kimonos holding torches slowly make their way through town to the Ainu Kotan, which is located about 3 kilometers from the shores of Lake Akan.

The night is dyed orange by the flames of the torches.

The sight of people wearing traditional clothes with Ainu patterns walking through the main street is both solemn and warm.

Ainu traditional dance performance

After safely arriving at the Ainu Kotan, Ainu traditional dance performance was held, with Ainu people from all over Hokkaido performing their respective regional dances in turn.

The stage and audience seats were filled with people of all ages and genders, and once the dancing began, the venue was filled with excitement.

Even though the same program was performed in different regions, the atmosphere and tempo of the songs were different, and there were dances related to wildlife that were only found in that region.There were traditions that were passed down from generation to generation in each region.

At the end, the sight of Ainu people from all regions forming a large circle and dancing as one is truly spectacular.

We can feel the joy and happiness spreading from the audience seats as I watched the people dancing happily.



On the sidewalk, not only tourists but also people from the town who run shops come out to see and cheer up the parade with smiles on their faces.

Marimo Festival is held from October 8th to 10th every year.

If you are interested, please come and visit next year's Marimo Festival.