A Museum in Japan made to Preserve the Indigenous Ainu Culture : Grasshopper

Gargi Mishra 05-08-2020 02:49 PM Culture

The Ainu culture is a culture that is followed by the original natives of Hokkaido in Japan. The community had been ignored by the Japanese government over all these years and were subjected to discrimination due to colonial assimilation. Now Japan has taken a huge step to preserve the culture of the Ainu community. The Country has launched one of its kind indigenous museums to showcase the Ainu culture and cuisine. Upopoy National Ainu Museum and the park have been opened on July 12.

The details about the Ainu Community of Hokkaido

Ainu literally translates to 'Humans'. The culture is a native of the Hokkaido region in Japan. The ancestors of this community were known as skilful hunters of animals in deep forests, catching fishes in swift streams and gathering whatever land provides. The Ainu have cultivated sagas that convey the history, legend and ways of life through oral tradition. They also have created a rich cultural tradition which includes imaginative music, songs, and dance. Ainu community has also established profound beliefs which are extended throughout the spiritual world. The Ainu recognition bill was passed in 2019 for the first time acknowledging the indigenous inhabitants of Japan.

Everything you will find in the Upopoy National Museum

The Upopoy in Ainu means 'Singing in a large group'. The museum was originally supposed to open alongside the Tokyo Olympics 2020. It targeted to attract a large number of visitors but it all got cancelled as the pandemic hit. This museum is made to educate people about Ainu culture and tradition. It consists of three different areas. The National Ainu Museum building exhibits images and videos boasting off the history and daily life of the community.

Visitors can witness the cultural dances in the interactive gallery, and have the taste of the traditional Ainu cuisines and try cooking it too.

There are debates going on over the Museum

The Upopoy will surely help the Ainu gain the recognition and the respect the community well deserves by educating the national and international tourists about them. But the topic is a big debate related to the absence of the fundamental rights of the Ainu and their only symbolic representation of cultural being commercialised and sold to people.