Ryukyuan

Ryukyuan refers to the indigenous peoples of the Ryukyu Islands, a chain of islands stretching from southern Kyushu to Taiwan. The term also covers the related languages spoken there. The largest population lives in Okinawa Prefecture, with the Amami Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture and other areas including the Miyako and Yaeyama islands. Although citizens of Japan, the Ryukyuan people have distinct historical and cultural roots from the Yamato Japanese majority.

Languages associated with the Ryukyuan are a separate branch of the Japonic language family from standard Japanese. They are commonly grouped into Northern Ryukyuan (Okinawan and Kunigami) and Southern Ryukyuan (Amami, Miyako, Yaeyama). The Ryukyuan languages are highly endangered in many communities, as speakers increasingly use Japanese; some areas maintain bilingual education and community preservation efforts.

Historically, the Ryukyu Kingdom dominated the archipelago from the 15th century, cultivating extensive trade networks and maintaining tributary relations with China while engaging with other Asian polities. In 1609, the Satsuma Domain defeated the kingdom and made it a vassal, though it retained a degree of autonomy in internal affairs. Japan annexed the territory in 1879, reorganizing it as Okinawa Prefecture. The islands endured heavy fighting during World War II, and were placed under U.S. administration until 1972, when sovereignty was returned to Japan.

Culture in the Ryukyu Islands emphasizes the sanshin, a three-stringed instrument, as well as eisa dance, Bingata textiles, and distinctive ceramics such as Tsuboya ware. Religious life blends local animist traditions with Shinto and Buddhist influences, reflecting the region’s maritime history and cross-cultural contacts.

Today, Ryukyuan identity persists in language, names, and customs. The community is recognized in Japan as a distinct cultural heritage, and language preservation efforts continue through education, media, and cultural organizations.