Haarii (dragon boat races) are festivals held to pray for a safe voyage and a good catch and to thank the sea for its blessings. Fishermen compete against each other during haarii in sabani (small dragon-shaped fishing boats). Haarii, which have been held by fishermen in Itoman City and Naha City for hundreds of years, are traditional events celebrated by people who live with the sea. Viewing the haarii of today is like watching the fishermen of old who used to cross the seas of Asia in their small craft.
While most haarii, from Itoman to the northern part of the main island as well as on Amami, Miyako and Yaeyama, are held on the fourth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar. (between late May and early June), only the Naha Haarii is scheduled earlier, May 3-5, during a succession of national holidays called Golden Week. For the race 11 or 12 crewmembers, including oarsmen, a helmsman and a drummer, maneuver sabani boats. Although sabani may not look very resistant, between the mid-Meiji period and World War II fishermen from Itoman used to travel in sabani across a vast area from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean in search of a good catch.
Haarii are impressive and exciting because the spirit of the ancient Okinawans, who once maneuvered sabani with their skill and bravery and crossed the mighty ocean, can be felt once again.