daiku 
“A traditional festival that prays for a bountiful harvest, conveying history and community bonds with deep emotional impact.”
Hachigatsu Odori in Tarama is a traditional event held annually over three days, from the 8th to the 10th day of the 8th month on the lunar calendar, to pray for a prosperous harvest. The festival features performances of Tarama Village’s treasured folk dances, classical dances, and kumiodori (a traditional Okinawan narrative dance). It has been designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset and draws significant attention from across and beyond Okinawa Prefecture. During this period, many tourists and researchers visit Tarama to witness the living history and cultural richness of this festival.
The origins of Hachigatsu Odori date back to the 1600s. At the time, farmers in the Miyako and Yaeyama regions were burdened with heavy taxes from the age of 15 to 50. By the end of the 7th lunar month, these taxes had to be paid. In the 8th month, villagers would hold rituals at sacred sites—such as Tsuchihara Ugamu in the Nakasone district and Pitumata Ugamu in the Shiokawa district—to report the completion of their taxes and pray for next year’s harvest. Those who had successfully paid their dues would celebrate together, offering each other comfort and encouragement, and dancing in joy. This spontaneous celebration evolved into what is now known as Tarama’s Harvest Festival: Hachigatsu Odori.
This festival is more than a traditional event; it is a cultural ceremony that strengthens community bonds and passes down historical context to future generations. Tarama’s Hachigatsu Odori is a deeply meaningful experience that reflects the island’s wishes for abundance and offers a powerful connection to its heritage. It continues to move and inspire all who attend.