Umeko Ando

Umeko Ando (1932–2004) was an Ainu singer and mukkuri player from Japan. The Ainu are an indigenous people from the northern regions of Japan, primarily Hokkaido. Ando was known for her mastery of the mukkuri, a traditional Ainu mouth harp, which produces a distinctive sound that is integral to Ainu music. Throughout her career, she worked to preserve and promote Ainu culture through her music. Her songs often featured the traditional Ainu language, which is considered critically endangered. Umeko Ando's contributions to the world of music have been recognized for their cultural significance, and her work has played a role in keeping the traditions of the Ainu alive for future generations.