University of Idaho students and locals gathered Wednesday in the Bruce M. Pitman Center to learn Japanese traditions.
The UI Women’s Center and Office of Multicultural Affairs partnered to the host this event.
Ramiro Vargas, a UI freshman and Women’s Center staff member, led a presentation about the traditional Japanese dance, Bon Odori, then taught the crowd how to do the five traditional dances. These dances are traditionally performed during the Obon Festival, a summer celebration that has lasted around 500 years, Vargas said.
Fifteen volunteers took center stage to learn the dance routines, outfitted with fans, flower straw hats and sashes.
Vargas and his assistant, Emma Takatori, demonstrated each dance slowly, before turning on music and gathering the group into a circle, the traditional formation in which the dances are performed.
Dancers of all ages were able to engage in the fun, and many participants smiled as they danced to traditional Japanese music, and celebrated a different culture Wednesday night.
Vargas said although he is not Japanese, Bon Odori has shaped who he is, and his purpose in sharing its celebration.
“I have a deep appreciation for this art form,” Vargas said. “The purpose of this workshop is not to appropriate culture, which happens a lot, unfortunately.”
Vargas said his journey with Bon Odori began a decade ago, at the Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple in Ontario, Oregon, which has hosted Obon festivals since 1959.
Vargas said he hopes his presentation will inspire audience members to participate in future Obon festivals.
“It gets up to 100 (degrees), everyone is dancing … and it is crazy,” Vargas said.
Bekah MillerMacPhee, assistant director of the Women’s Center, said each of their six student staff members are required to create a student-led program.
MillerMacPhee said each student must select a theme for their program that is tied to gender or equality and diversity.
Brie Slavens can be reached at [email protected]