Troupes sing and dance to the beat of drums and lively music played on the sanshin.
Eisa was originally a village religious ceremony, but it is now performed mainly by young people as a form of entertainment. When groups are invited to perform their dances, the money they are paid goes to cover equipment and uniform maintenance. In addition to Eisa groups formed at the community level, there are others organized as clubs. Some groups have branches in Hawaii or other parts of America. The fate of Okinawa has always been at the mercy of external powers.