The annual Cortez Obon Festival will be held on July 1 at 6:45 p.m. in the parking lot between Cortez Hall and Cortez Buddhist Church, 12985 Cortez Ave., between Santa Fe Drive and Linwood Avenue, southeast of Turlock.
The Cortez Buddhist Church is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
“People who attend are going to discover that Obon Festival is a community and family celebration that honors the people who have passed away, who are part of our community,” said Chris Kubo, of the Cortez Buddhist Church. “We do this through folk dancing. We dance to celebrate our ancestors.”
The Obon Festival is held in many communities in Japan, as well as in Japanese American communities around the United States. The origins of Obon are from the Buddhist legend of Mogallana, one of the Buddha’s disciples, rejoicing when his mother’s soul was redeemed from the realm of hungry ghosts.
Most people of Japanese ancestry celebrate Obon as a homecoming — a time to visit one’s hometown and give homage to ancestors. For many Buddhist churches and temples in the U.S., this festival offers a time to hold major fundraisers in the form of bazaars, with ethnic food, games, cultural displays, and, of course, Obon dancing.
In the rural community of Cortez, celebrations are limited to dancing.
Obon dancing, traditionally, is set to Japanese folk songs, both old and new, with repetitive steps that can be learned quickly. Many children dress in traditional summer wear called yukata, while adults choose to wear happi coats over their street clothes.
The audience are encouraged to participate.
In its annual appearance at Cortez Obon, Ballico Taiko, a drum group from Ballico-Cressey Elementary School District, will start the celebration at 6:45 p.m.. Dancing will start around 7. During intermission, guests can enjoy another taiko performance by Stockton Bukkyo Taiko.
If you would like a preview of the dancing or would like to learn the dances, practices will be held at the Cortez Hall, from Tuesday through Friday from 7 to 8 p.m.
The event is free to the public.
“Come dance and enjoy the spirit of the evening,” said Kubo.
For more information, call Kubo at (209) 535-6523 or email cortezobon@yahoo.com.
