Women-centered traditions of Okinawa
Going Places | Nov 11th
Welcome back to Going Places, the newsletter that revolves around my two big passions, travel and storytelling, occasional travel and creative entrepreneurship news, and updates on my show, Going Places with Yulia Denisyuk.
First up, learning about women-centered traditions in Okinawa.
I’m traveling in Okinawa this week with the Adventure Travel Trade Association, learning about the history and traditions of this ancient kingdom called Ryukyu. I’ve been on the island for about 24 hours and I’m already fascinated by one aspect of local culture.
In Ryukyu Kingdom times, women have been at the source of the island’s spiritual life. Local creation myth says that the world as we know it was created by the goddess Amamikyu when she descended from the heavens to create the Ryukyu Islands.
Amamikyu’s descendants became the priestesses, known as kaminchu, or the godly people. Unlike in the mainland Japan, where men have traditionally served as priests, in Okinawa, this role is reserved for women.
To this day, kaminchu priestesses perform ceremonies worshipping gods of nature at utaki, the sacred sites hidden away inside tree groves in Okinawan villages. With any luck, we’re going to meet one such priestess tomorrow.
From the sacred utaki sites scattered across the island to the reverence of nature and the tradition of women priestesses, there is a strong feminine presence in Okinawa, healing to witness in this particular time.
Ann Friedman is offering a year-long writer fellowship.
The Ann Friedman Weekly Fellowship is an annual program for nonfiction writers who are not yet established in their careers. It includes mentorship and editing; a $5,000 stipend; regular check-ins to provide structure and accountability; and space in Ann’s newsletter where fellows can publish and promote their work.
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Lonely Planet is looking for a Honduras expert.
Lonely Planet is looking for a Honduras expert for an upcoming guidebook. Contact Jen Ruiz at jenruiz@jenonajetplane.com.
Where I’m Going Next
Where I’m Going Next is a preview of my upcoming travel plans.
November: Okinawa, Japan
December: Seattle, US
January: New York, US (attending IMM TravMedia)
If you’d like to meet up or have a work proposal for these locations, get in touch at hello@yulia-denisyuk.com.
What I'm Reading
Stories from across the web that have caught my attention.
Podcast grants 101: How to get funding for your show | descript.com
Innocent Israelis, Bad Arabs? How the Media Scripted Amsterdam's Soccer Violence | Zeteo News
Guess This Place
On this trip to Jordan, I visited Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts, located in Amman’s leafy Weibdeh neighborhood. This museum holds one of the most important collections of art in the Arab world, including pieces like “The Walls of Gaza” by the Palestinian artist Laila Shawa which depicts the Israeli occupation as she saw it in 1992. The gallery is well worth a visit. In addition to two museum buildings, it features a public sculpture park, a coffee shop with excellent grilled halloumi cheese, and an art workshop studio.
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Onwards,
Yulia