Okinawan Folk Songs

This is a representative folk song in the Yaeyama area which expresses feelings towards people’s own hometown and their lovers.

This song was created to capture a conversation-like exchange between a beautiful girl, Kumaya from Yaeyama, and a government official who fell in love with her. It is a folk song in Yaeyama. 

This song teaches about the importance of money and working diligently.

This is a folk song on Okinoerabu Island. The song expresses the feelings of the island people towards the influence of the lily-growing business on the development of the island. 

Looking at the white clouds floating in the sky and wishing the clouds can deliver a message to loved ones; this song is about the sadness of a long-distance relationship. 

This song portrays how the main character who is living away from home misses his/her family and friends. The character sings in the way you would talk to birds in an attempt to divert his/her loneliness.

Chinbora means small turban shells. The song was created based on a song called Meuta Swinbora from Ie Island.

The boatmen in the lyrics represent people who live up to their dreams. This song also tries to portray the supportive message that if you believe in yourself and act on it, dreams will come true. 

This is a unique folk song sung in the local language in Yaeyama.

Takana was a village that existed on Iriomote Island. It is said to be difficult to understand the lyrics but the song is widely popular in the Yaeyama area.　

In Okinawa, the word uruma in songs means “an isle of coral.” This song introduces a lot of the charms of Okinawa.

The line “I’m longing for the moment when the plum tree that I have been carefully cultivating will bloom” gave hope to people during the war.

This is a folk song on Miyako Island. The song portrays in rhythmic sound an argument between Isamiga, a beautiful bride living in Karimata, and her mother-in-law. 

This song is about migrant workers who went off to work in the South Seas. It portrays the heartache of those who left and those who have to wait for them.

This is a classical lullaby in Yaeyama. The song is sung emotionally while admiring the beautiful moon.

Acchame Gwa; This song is a fast rhythm song, and it is sung as the music for the kachashi dance (a folk dance to express celebration). “Acchame” means “walk-dance” (or hopping around while walking) and it has interesting footwork.

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Toshin Doi (Ships from Tang) ; This is a zomeki, or party, folk song. Zomeki means partying loudly. The song expresses the excitement of local people when they see a ship arriving at the port in Naha.

This is a love song that describes the wonderful way the branches of the kuwadisa, a kind of leadwood tree in Yakina, spread out. The song is also about the beautiful women in the Yakina district. 

Featured song of Tsujiyama, a creative dance produced by Yuko Majikina.

Kugan Mowi Gwauya: This song teases men who are having frivolous fun in brothels. 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Jibu Nisheta: This song makes fun of young men from Gibo in Shuri who are excited about heading to Tsuji, the red-light district. 

Muchi does not mean rice cake; it is plaster to lay roof-tiles. This song was created for those engaged in tough roofing work to cheer themselves along. 

This song was created to see off those who were leaving ocean-surrounded Okinawa, moving to another country or going to work as migrant workers on a ship. Today, this song is sung to wish for good luck at parties or celebrations. 

An old man, a former Ryukyu royal government official who lost his job due to the abolition of the feudal system, sings about the changing times and his struggles. 

Looking at the white clouds floating in the sky and wishing the clouds can deliver a message to loved ones; this song is about the sadness of a long-distance relationship. 

This is a love song between a man and a woman who wish to be intimate like a mandarin duck couple living around Amaka Spring. The song is a fast, upbeat one. 

The song’s lyrics change depending on the singer, but the line “Nobody must find out how those two feel about each other” which creates mystery is sung by everyone.  

Featured song of Tsujiyama, a creative dance produced by Yuko Majikina

This song comically asks the audience if they want to buy the book of divination (or book on eastern fortune telling).

This song is about Mashunku and Nabi, two beautiful ladies from Ie Island. It is like a modern-day version of a beauty pageant that compares the two ladies. 　

This is one of the famous folk songs from Miyako Island. It is a message from a wife who knows her husband well, and it asks him to follow her instructions to keep their marriage happy.

Okinawan nursery rhymes

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1. Bebe nu Kusakaiga

　[Little Lambs’ Grass-cutting Choir]

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2. Mimichiri Boji

　[Ear-cutting Monster]

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3. Hana nu Kajimaya 

　[Flower-like Pinwheels]

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4. Akata Sundunchi

　[Akata Shuri Palace]

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5. Tinsagunu Hana 

　[Balsam Flowers]

This is a song describing the pain of workers engaged in the construction of prefectural roads. The lyrics express the sentiments of workers who are overworked by supervisors at construction sites and who are gradually awakening as the song goes on to a sense of their rights.

This song expresses the pure emotion of young people. It was commonly sung by young people living in fishing villages.