Festival Time in Okinawa

Sunday saw the celebration of the annual Naha Tsunahiki, the biggest tug-of-war in the world, when the east and west sections of Naha City re-enact a competition by the former rulers dating back to the 17th century.  A large rope made from rice straw and weighing about 40 tonnes is ceremoniously joined in the middle and then with much noise and encouragement each team tugs for a period of half an hour, unless one team has made at least 15 metres on the other team.  After that time the team that has made the most ground is declared the winner.

The large rope has many 'tentacles' for competitors to pull on

 Size is no consideration when it comes to competing!

The ruler from the west

 Colourful balloons were released from a large golden globe to indicate the tug was about to begin

 "Yoisho!" - Heave Ho!

After the winner is declared it is every man for himself to cut some of the rope to take home for good luck!!

And in no time at all 5 large mobile cranes came along to remove what was left of the rope and street cleaners were busily picking up bits of rubbish - within a short time there would be no indication of an event which had attracted tens of thousands of people.


News of plans for departure should be up soon.