Language and Culture of Ikema from Miyako Island of Okinawa

Date: Friday, November 16, 2012 from 1-4pm

Location: UCLA Young Research Library, Room 11360

This public workshop provides a unique opportunity for the audience to learn about and experience the language and culture from a small community on Miyako Island, Okinawa, Japan. This event is a public display of a collaborative research project conducted by three faculty members from University of Alberta, Kyoto University and UCLA towards an effort to document one of the Ryukyuan languages identified as endangered by UNESCO in 2009. This workshop is hosted by Professor Shoichi Iwasaki, UCLA Department of Asian Languages and Cultures and co-sponsored by University of Alberta, Kyoto University, and Midori Kai Senior Citizens Club of Nishihara Village.

Free and open to UCLA students, faculty, staff, and invited guests

Event Program

1:00 - 1:05 p.m.
Welcome by Professor Shoichi Iwasaki (UCLA, ALC Department)

1:05 - 1:15 p.m.                   
Introduction to The Ikema Project: How it started, what we have achieved, and where we are going, Professor Tsuyoshi Ono (University of Alberta)

1:15 - 2:00 p.m.                   
“Digital Museum Project” and “Documentary of Myakuzutsu Festival”, Professor Yukinori Takubo (Kyoto University)

2:00 - 2:10 p.m.                    
Break

2:10 - 2:15 p.m.                   
Introducing community members from Nishihara village, Mr. Hiroyuki Nakama

2:15 - 3:30 p.m.                   
Singing and dancing performances by the Nishiraha community members

3:30 - 4:00 p.m.                   
Discussion