Ryukyuans facts for kids
| 琉球民族 | |
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Ryukyuan dancers in ceremonial attire
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| Regions with significant populations | |
 Okinawa Prefecture |
1.4 million |
 Kagoshima Prefecture |
118,773 |
 Osaka Prefecture |
70,000 |
 Kanagawa Prefecture |
45,000 |
 Hyōgo Prefecture |
12,000 |
| Rest of mainland Japan | 173,000 |
| Outside of Japan | 415,361 |
| Languages | |
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| Religion | |
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| Related ethnic groups | |
| Yamato, Jōmon | |
The Ryukyuans are a group of people who are native to the Ryukyu Islands, a chain of islands in East Asia that stretches between Japan's island of Kyushu and the island of Taiwan. Most Ryukyuans live in Okinawa Prefecture and Kagoshima Prefecture in Japan. They have their own unique culture, history, and languages, which are different from those of mainland Japan.
Contents
Where do they live?
The Ryukyu Islands are a beautiful archipelago located in the Pacific Ocean. They form a long chain, and the largest and most well-known island is Okinawa Island. These islands have a subtropical climate, which means they are warm and humid for most of the year, with lush green landscapes and beautiful beaches. The islands are part of Japan, but for a long time, they had their own independent kingdom.
Languages
The Ryukyuans speak languages that are part of the Japonic language family, just like the Japanese language spoken on the main islands of Japan. However, linguists (people who study languages) now believe that the Ryukyuan languages are a separate branch of this family, meaning they developed differently from mainland Japanese a very long time ago. There are several different Ryukyuan languages, such as Okinawan, Amami, Miyako, Yaeyama, and Yonaguni. These languages have their own unique sounds, grammar, and words. Sadly, many of these languages are now endangered, meaning fewer and fewer people speak them, especially younger generations, because standard Japanese became the main language used in schools and daily life. Efforts are being made to help keep these languages alive.
History
Origins and early history
Scientists who study genetics have looked at the DNA of Ryukyuan people and compared it to people from other parts of Asia. These studies suggest that the Ryukyuans have some genetic connections to ancient people who lived in Japan during a time called the Jōmon period (which was thousands of years ago). They also have connections to people who came to Japan later during the Yayoi period, bringing new things like rice farming. This mix of ancient and later influences helped shape the Ryukyuan people.
Archaeological findings on the islands show that people have lived there for a very long time, possibly tens of thousands of years. In the early periods, people on the northern islands had cultures similar to the Jōmon people of mainland Japan, while the southern islands had some unique cultural traits, possibly with connections to other parts of Southeast Asia. For a long time, the islands developed their own distinct cultures, separate from the major changes happening on mainland Japan, like the widespread adoption of rice farming, which came much later to the Ryukyu Islands.
The Gusuku period
Around the 10th to 12th centuries, the Ryukyu Islands entered a period known as the Gusuku period. This time is named after the many "gusuku" that were built. Gusuku are castle-like structures, often built on hills, which served as centers of power and community. During this time, the islands saw important developments in politics, society, and the economy. People started farming more, including rice, and began trading more with other places.
The Sanzan Period
By the 14th century, Okinawa Island was divided into three main areas, each ruled by a different leader. This time is called the Sanzan period, meaning "Three Mountains" or "Three Principalities." The three areas were Hokuzan (North Mountain), Chūzan (Central Mountain), and Nanzan (South Mountain). These three kingdoms began to develop more formal relationships and trade with powerful neighbors like China (under the Ming dynasty), Korea (under the Joseon dynasty), and Japan.
Trade was very important during this time. The Ryukyuan kingdoms became important intermediaries in trade between China and Japan, as China had rules that limited direct trade with Japan. Ryukyuan ships traveled across the seas, trading goods like sulfur, seashells, ceramics, copper, iron, and spices. This trade brought wealth and new ideas to the islands. In 1372, the ruler of Chūzan began sending tribute missions to the Ming Emperor of China, which was a way of showing respect and establishing a formal relationship that allowed for trade.
The Ryukyu Kingdom
In 1429, the leader of Chūzan, Shō Hashi, successfully united the three kingdoms of Okinawa Island, creating the Ryukyu Kingdom. The capital was established at Shuri Castle. The Ryukyu Kingdom continued to thrive on maritime trade, maintaining its special relationship with China. The kingdom also expanded its control to other islands in the Ryukyu chain.
For a long time, the Ryukyu Kingdom was able to maintain a degree of independence, navigating its relationships with both China and Japan. However, in 1609, the Satsuma Domain from Kyushu in Japan invaded the Ryukyu Kingdom. While the kingdom was not completely taken over at this time, it became subordinate to the Satsuma Domain, meaning it had to follow their rules and pay taxes, while still maintaining its tributary relationship with China. This put the kingdom in a unique position, having ties to both powerful neighbors.
Becoming part of Japan
In the late 19th century, during Japan's Meiji period, Japan underwent many changes and sought to modernize and unify the country. The Japanese government began a process called "Ryukyu shobun," which aimed to fully integrate the Ryukyu Islands into Japan. In 1879, the Ryukyu Kingdom was officially abolished, and the islands became Okinawa Prefecture, just like other prefectures in Japan. The last king was moved to Tokyo.
During this time, the Japanese government encouraged the Ryukyuan people to adopt Japanese customs, language, and ways of life. Policies were put in place that discouraged or even prohibited the use of Ryukyuan languages and traditional clothing in schools and public life. The goal was to create a single national identity. This period of forced assimilation had a big impact on Ryukyuan culture and identity.
World War II and the Post-War Period
The Ryukyu Islands, especially Okinawa, played a tragic role in World War II. The Battle of Okinawa in 1945 was one of the bloodiest battles of the war, and it had a devastating impact on the islands and their people. Many civilians lost their lives.
After the war, the Ryukyu Islands were occupied by the United States military. This occupation lasted until 1972, when the islands were returned to Japan. Even after the return, a large number of U.S. military bases remained in Okinawa, and they are still there today. The presence of these bases has been a complex issue for the people of Okinawa, leading to discussions and concerns about their impact on the islands and daily life.
Since returning to Japan, there have been efforts to support and revive Ryukyuan culture and traditions, which were suppressed for many years.
Religion
Traditional Ryukyuan religion has a strong connection to nature and ancestors. It historically placed importance on the role of women as spiritual leaders and guardians. Over time, influences from Buddhism and Shinto (from Japan) and Confucianism (from China) were also introduced and mixed with local beliefs.
Culture
Ryukyuan culture is vibrant and unique, with its own customs, beliefs, and artistic expressions.
Cuisine
Okinawan food is rich in vitamins and minerals and has a good balance of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. Although rice is a staple food (taco rice mixes it with beef), pork (mimigā and chiragā, dishes Rafute and Soki), seaweed, rich miso (fermented soybean) pastes and soups (Jūshī), sweet potato and brown sugar all feature prominently in traditional cuisine. Most famous to tourists is the Momordica charantia, gōya (bitter melon), which is often mixed into a representative Okinawan stir fry dish known as champurū (Goya champuru). Kōrēgusu is a common hot sauce condiment used in various dishes including noodle soup Okinawa soba. Some specifically consumed algae include Caulerpa lentillifera. Traditional sweets include chinsuko, hirayachi, sata andagi, and muchi. Local beverages include juice from Citrus depressa, turmeric tea (ukoncha), and the alcoholic beverage awamori.
The weight-loss Okinawa diet derives from their cuisine and has only 30% of the sugar and 15% of the grains of the average Japanese dietary intake.
Arts
The techniques of self-defense and using farm tools as weapons against armed opponents—called karate by today's martial artists—were created by Ryukyuans who probably incorporated some gong fu and techniques from China into a complete system of attack and defense known simply as ta (literally meaning "hand"). These martial arts varied slightly from town to town, and were named for their towns of origin, examples being Naha-te (currently known as Goju-Ryū), Tomari-te and Shuri-te.
The Kabura-ya (Japanese signal arrow) still has a ceremonial use for house, village or festival celebration in Okinawa.
It is considered that the rhythms and patterns of dances, like Eisa and Angama, represent legends and prehistoric heritage. Ryūka genre of songs and poetry originate from the Okinawa Islands. From the Chinese traditional instrument sanxian in the 16th century developed the Okinawan instrument sanshin from which the kankara sanshin and the Japanese shamisen derive.
Women frequently wore indigo tattoos known as hajichi on the backs of their hands, a sign of adulthood and talisman to protect them from evil. These tattoos were banned in 1899 by the Meiji government. In remote districts their katakashira off-center topknot, similar to that of the Yami and some Filipino ethnic groups, among men and women also disappeared in the early 20th century.
The bashôfu, literally meaning "banana-fibre cloth", is designated as a part of Ryukyu and Japan "important intangible cultural properties". The weaving using indigenous ramie was also widespread in the archipelago, both originated before the 14th century.
Originally living in thatching houses, townsmen developed architecture modeled after Japanese, Chinese and Korean structures. Other dwellings suggest a tropical origin, and some villages have high stone walls, with similar structural counterpart in Yami people at Orchid Island.
Interesting facts about the Ryukyuans
- The Ryukyu Islands were inhabited from at least 32,000–18,000 years ago, but their fate and relation with contemporary Ryukyuans is uncertain.
- The finding of ancient Chinese knife money near Naha in Okinawa indicates a probable contact with the ancient Chinese state Yan as early as the 3rd century BCE.
- The first certain mention of the islands and its people by the Chinese and Japanese is dated in the 7th century.
- Ryukyuans are not a recognized minority group in Japan, as Japanese authorities consider them a subgroup of the Japanese people.
- In English, they are also known as Okinawans or Lewchewans.
- Their usual ethnic name derives from the Chinese name for the islands.
- The Okinawans have among the lowest prevalence of cardiovascular disease and other age-associated diseases in the world.
- Furthermore, Okinawa has long had the highest life expectancy at older ages.
- Similarities between the Ryukyuan and Japanese languages point to a common origin.
- In their indigenous language they often call themselves and their identity as Uchinānchu.
- Okinawa comprises just 0.6% of Japan's total land mass, yet about 75% of all U.S. military installations stationed in Japan are assigned to bases in Okinawa.
Images for kids
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Haplogroup dispersal and migration routes into Japan
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Phylogenetic tree of Mainland Japanese, Ryukyuan (Ryukyuan), Ainu (Ainu) and other Asian ethnic groups
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The gusuku fortification are on the Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu UNESCO's list.
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Map of Okinawa Island, showing the Sanzan period polities
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The castle town and Ryukyu Kingdom's capital Shuri Castle
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Five Ryukyuan men, Meiji period
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The kamekōbaka (Turtleback tomb) is the traditional Ryukyuan family tomb.
See also
In Spanish: Ryukyuenses para niños
- Ethnic issues in Japan
- Okinawans in Hawaii
