Ainu Matsuri (Ainu festivals)

Ainu Matsuri are traditional festivals celebrated by the indigenous Ainu people of Japan to honor their gods, nature, and ancestors. These festivals often involve ceremonial rituals, dances, music, and offerings made at sacred sites or shrines. They serve to express gratitude, pray for health and prosperity, and reinforce community bonds. The rituals are rooted in Ainu spiritual beliefs that emphasize harmony with nature and reverence for spirits called kamuy. Ainu Matsuri are important cultural expressions that help preserve Ainu heritage and identity amid modern influences.