The Ryukyuan are the indigenous peoples of the Ryukyu Islands. They had their own kingdom from the 1400s through the late 1800s. China and Japan fought over it until the latter took the upper hand and annexed these islands. The Ryukyuan Islands became a battle ground between US and Japanese forces near the end of WWII. When Japan was defeated, US forces occupied the islands, then returned them to Japan in 1952. Though most are in their home island today, there are a small number of Ryukyuan people in the United States and Bolivia today.
Traditionally, the Ryukyuan people have had tightly-knit family lives and they enjoyed close personal friendships. They see themselves as bound together by their home island and, especially among older people, will always consider themselves from Ryukyuan first and Japan second. They are among the longest-lived people in the world. The Ryukuyan are known as a peaceful people and have always considered the arts and music as more honorable than combat skills.
The Ryukyuan exist as a peaceful tribe which has always considered the arts and music as more honorable than combat skills.
Native Uchina religion places strong emphasis upon the role of the women in the community. Women hold positions as shamans and guardians of the home. Most of the younger generation are not serious adherents of this religion anymore, but many older people try to teach about the old ways, including dances and the language.
The Ryukyuan people need to put their sense of dignity and self-worth in Jesus Christ rather than their ethnic background.
Pray that a strong movement to Jesus will bring Ryukyuan families and communities into a rich experience of God's blessings. A small number of the Ryukyuan people identify as Christians. Pray they will be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. Pray for the people on the Ruykyuan islands to become aware of their need for forgiveness of sin, and that forgiveness has been provided through faith in the work of Christ on the cross. Pray these peaceful people will welcome the good news of Jesus as it comes to them in various forms.
Scripture Prayers for the Okinawan, Ryukyuan in Japan.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
Global Prayer Digest: 2014-04-01 |
People Name General | Okinawan, Ryukyuan |
People Name in Country | Okinawan, Ryukyuan |
Natural Name | Ryukyuan |
Pronunciation |
ree-YOO-kyoo-un
|
Alternate Names | Okinawan; Ryukyuan |
Population this Country | 1,153,000 |
Population all Countries | 1,160,000 |
Total Countries | 3 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 23 |
People ID | 11136 |
ROP3 Code | 101932 |
Country | Japan | ||
Region | Asia, Northeast | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | ||
Location in Country | Central Okinawa; southern Okinawa island, Kerama Islands, Kume-jima, Tonaki, Aguna islands, islands east of Okinawa island. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Japan |
Region | Asia, Northeast |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Location in Country | Central Okinawa; southern Okinawa island, Kerama Islands, Kume-jima, Tonaki, Aguna islands, islands east of Okinawa island.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
28.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.15 %) |
2.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
70.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Okinawan, Central | |||
Language Code | ryu Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 2 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Okinawan, Central |
Language Code | ryu Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 2 |
Secondary Languages | |
Japanese | |
People Groups | Speaking Okinawan, Central |
Primary Language: Okinawan, Central
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1855-1858) |
Bible-New Testament | No |
Bible-Complete | No |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Photo Source | Matt Watts - Flickr Creative Commons |
Map Source | People Group location: SIL / WLMS. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project. |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |