The Kikai people are the traditional inhabitants of Japan’s Kikai Island, in the East China Sea in southern Japan. They have always had a connection with Japan’s main island, though they have their own language. This language is a dialect of the Ryukyuan language spoken in the Ryukyu Islands. They also speak standard Japanese.
The Kikai people have preserved their traditional traditions and cultural practices while adapting to the modern world. Their culture is dominated by that of Japan, but they have also been influenced by the cultures of China and Southeast Asia.
Their livelihood is largely from agriculture, especially the growing sugar cane. Many of their traditions and cultural events are related to agriculture. Like other people groups, the Kikai have their own forms of music and dancing which is taught from one generation to the next
Though the Kikai are officially Buddhist, they also have their own traditional beliefs. This is common in Buddhism. That religion is flexible, and it allows for many outside beliefs.
The Kikai people need to put their trust and identity in the hands of the loving God of Creation who sent his son to make it possible for them to enter the Kingdom of God.
Pray for a "Book of Acts" type of movement to Christ among the Kikai.
Pray God will have mercy on the Kikai, doing whatever it takes to place them in a position to receive him.
Ask God to open the hearts of the Kikai to the gospel.
Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among them.
Scripture Prayers for the Kikai in Japan.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Kikai |
People Name in Country | Kikai |
Alternate Names | |
Population this Country | 12,000 |
Population all Countries | 12,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 12678 |
ROP3 Code | 104994 |
Country | Japan | ||
Region | Asia, Northeast | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | ||
Location in Country | Kagoshima Prefecture, northeast Okinawa, Kikai 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 | Kagoshima Prefecture, northeast Okinawa, Kikai island.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Buddhism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
97.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.72 %) |
3.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Kikai |
Language Code | kzg Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Unknown |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Kikai |
Language Code | kzg Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Kikai |
Primary Language: Kikai
Bible Translation Status: Unspecified
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
None reported |
Photo Source |
(Representative photo) Flickr Creative Commons |
Map Source | People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project. |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |