Ryonans

Ryonans refers to a group of people or a community with a shared cultural, linguistic, or ethnic identity. The term is often used in Japan to describe a geographical or linguistic group with its own distinct characteristics, separate from the larger Japanese population.

In the context of Japan, the Ryukyu kingdom formerly referred to the Ryukyu Islands now part of modern-day Okinawa Prefecture and surrounding islands, noting the islands' historical independence and cultural distinctiveness from mainland Japan.

Ryonans have inherent cultural and linguistic variations due to geographical isolation or historical separation from other communities. Such communities may maintain distinct languages, customs, and traditions not widely practiced in neighboring areas.

Some examples include ethnic and linguistic groups recognized within Japan, such as the Ryukyusaidai language stemming from the historical Okinawan kingdom, considered a meaningful cultural and historical marker relating to the islands' history.