Various summer festivals take place from July to August on the Amamian Islands. The Amami Festival, which started in old Naze City (now Amami City) 47 years ago, is the most renowned and spectacular.

The eve of the Amami Festival this year started with a traditional song banquet on July 29, followed by a fireworks display on the 30th, a major boat race and Hachigatsu-odori dance on the 31st and a big parade on August 1st.

148 male adult teams and 61 ladies' and children's teams took part in the boat race.

Each association organized by the Naze residents from the same village shows off their traditional harvest songs and dances, called Hachigatsu-odori, on the main street. It was so energetic that it almost blew away the heat wave. 

On the final day, 15 groups participated in the parade on the main street. The most remarkable of them was the Habu Show group by City Hall officials. "Habu" is a dangerous poisonous snake native to the Amamian and Okinawan Islands. The huge sewed-up Habu imitation is very well executed. The way it slithered or coiled up on the street was overwhelming.

Picture 1   A firework display seen from Yagijima.

Picture 2   A scene of the boat race.

Picture 3   Hachigatsu-odori show by Ohgasari Association.

Picture 4   The Habu slithers on the main street.

Picture 5   The coiled-up Habu.   

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