The "14th Mabi and Funao Grand Dance" was grandly held in Mabi, Kurashiki City, marking five years since the heavy rain disaster in July 2018 (hereafter: Grand Dance).
This is the second time since the disaster and the first time in four years.
We bring you the lively atmosphere of the Grand Dance, filled with hopes for reconstruction.
Overview of the 14th Mabi and Funao Grand Dance
The "Mabi and Funao Grand Dance" is a summer festival held in Mabi, Kurashiki City, and this is the 14th edition.
The highlight is the dance performed by about 1,000 participants from local communities, businesses, and schools, set against the backdrop of Makibi Street.
In 2018, the event was forced to be canceled due to the heavy rain disaster, but it was held in 2019 after overcoming the disaster.
However, it was canceled again for three years from 2020 to 2022 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This time, after four years, about 6,000 people attended, and the venue was bustling with activity.
Summer festival atmosphere with stalls and stage events
At 2 PM, a variety of stage events began, including taiko drumming, hula dancing, and wind orchestra performances.
The "Mabi Bamboo Orchestra" performed using instruments made from bamboo, a local specialty of Mabi.
Nostalgic melodies such as "Galaxy Express 999" and "My Neighbor Totoro" resonated, receiving loud applause.
Stalls from over 30 shops and organizations in the Mabi and Funao areas gathered.
In addition to festival staples like shaved ice, yakisoba, and traditional games, there were also local specialties for sale, such as bamboo croquettes, bamboo toys, and muscat wine.
Seeing many people enjoying food and drinks made me feel that everyday life is returning once again.
Powerful Chitosegaku
The "Chitosegaku" was showcased for the first time at this Grand Dance.
Chitosegaku refers to the floats used in the southern part of Okayama Prefecture, which have drums inside and are topped with stacked futons as roofs.
The Chitosegaku from three districts in Mabi, which usually appear at the local autumn festivals, gathered specially on Makibi Street.
On this day, I learned about Chitosegaku for the first time, and the powerful sound of the drums and the majestic procession while singing were very impressive, overwhelming me as I watched up close.
Grand Dance with over 1,000 participants
Finally, it was time for the climax of the dance.
This time, 21 teams participated.
People of all ages, from children to the elderly, joined in, along with seven teams participating for the first time, adding to the excitement of the venue.
Dancers in colorful happi coats and yukata advance down Makibi Street, energetically shouting "Ho-re Ho-re Dokkoi Sho" as they dance.
Some teams dressed as Kibi no Makibi and dinosaurs, bringing laughter and cheers from the spectators along the roadside.
The lyrics of the dance song "Dance Together in Mabi and Funao" include the lines "Come and see, come and join, come and dance," encouraging spectators to join in if they feel like dancing while watching!
I also joined the growing line of spontaneous participants and danced.
Even if you don't know the moves, it's okay to follow along by watching.
There were over 50 spontaneous participants, all dancing with big smiles.
From the start at 6:30 PM, it took an hour and a half for over 1,000 participants to finish dancing, and the venue, now completely dark, was filled with a sense of excitement and unity.
Conclusion
In the five years since the heavy rain disaster in July 2018, Mabi has received support both materially and spiritually, making steady progress step by step.
Through this Grand Dance, I hope you could feel the lively atmosphere of "current Mabi," which has returned even more than four years ago.
Additionally, participating in the dance for the first time made me realize that this Grand Dance is not just a festival, but a place for intergenerational exchange and connection with the community.
I hope that the "Mabi and Funao Grand Dance" will continue to be a place that connects people living in Mabi, those who have moved away, and visitors, fostering a deeper affection for Mabi.
Data of the 14th Mabi and Funao Grand Dance
| Name | 14th Mabi and Funao Grand Dance |
|---|---|
| Date | July 15, 2023 (Saturday) 2:00 PM - 8:30 PM |
| Location | 1141-1 Ayata, Mabi-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free |
