Ryukyuan in Japan


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

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.


What Are Their Lives Like?

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.
What Are Their Beliefs?

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.


What Are Their Needs?

The Ryukyuan people need to put their sense of dignity and self-worth in Jesus Christ rather than their ethnic background.


Prayer Points

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  

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
ROP25 Code 306294
ROP25 Name Okinawan
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
Map of Okinawan, Ryukyuan in Japan
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
Japanese
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
Film / Video Jesus Film Jesus Film Project
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.



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