Niutu Umachii invites to “Meet the Roots Music of Ryukyu”

Niutu Umachii concert is a free event seeking to take the audience to the roots of Okinawan Music with a lineup of local artists gathering to Koza Music Town on Oct. 23 for an evening extravaganza of traditional Okinawan Eisa, folk songs and pop music.

Niutu Umachii is a brainchild of Rinken Teruya, the leader and producer of one of the most popular groups on the island, Rinken Band.

Ryukyu music has its roots in the islands, pulling together the power of nature and spirituality of ancestors. The shamanic world is still alive here, and there are rituals of agriculture and fishing, in which people pray for fertility and peace that give their lives the rhythm of Hare and Ke, the unusual and the usual. They are considered the keys to gaining tranquility and a well-grounded life on the island. The Ryukyu interpretation of music brings Niutu, the root music, together to sing songs of joy, reunion and togetherness.

The program consists of performances by Rinken Band, several Okinawan folksong artists and groups from Okinawa City Association of performing arts. Awase Chondaraa and Sonda Eisa groups perform eisa.

The Ni-utu Umachii concert takes place on Oct. 23, starting at 17:00. The concert closes at 21:00. The event venue is on the third floor hall of the Koza Music Town Sound Market at 1-1-1, Uechi, Okinawa City. Admission to the event is free.

Performers:

RINKEN BAND (Okinawan pop)

Shuken Maekawa (Okinawan folk)

Hajime Nakasone (Okinawan folk)

Akane Murayoshi (Okinawan folk)

Tink Tink (Okinawan folk)

Seira Ganaha (Okinawan folk)

Okinawa City Association of Performing Arts Organizations (Okinawan Classical performing arts)

Awase-Chondara (Okinawan Traditional dance performance)

Sonda Eisa (Okinawan Traditional dance performance and drums)