Indigenous Ainu culture features many folk dances with movements modeled after nature, animals, and plants. These dances include votive dances that follow ceremonies, entertaining dances for parties, and more. In addition, many Ainu performing arts are closely connected to daily life and the natural world, including Ukouku (singing in rounds), which starts off following ceremonies, and songs expressing Kamuy (divine beings). “Aynurutomte” means“to illuminate the way.”