histori

The origins of the Okinawan people are difficult to say. There are several theories believing that the Okinawan people migrated from northern Asia and moved south through Japan. Another is that they came along the China coast to Miyako and the Yaeyama islands, and finally "seafarers from Southeast Asia reached Ishigaki and Miyako after being tossed about by the Black Current" (Okinawan 9). It is also noted that there was human habitation tracing back 4,000 years ago. Evidence points out that there was a southward migration from Kyushu to two northern island groups: Amami Oshima and Okinawa. Additionally, there is also evidence indicating Melanesian cultural impacts from the south in two southern island groups: Miyako and Yaeyama (Background).

"Settlers arrived and brought with them household goods, domesticated animals, tools, weapons, and sacred objects. Most importantly, they brought fire with them" (Okinawan 9). An agricultural society was created. Within the society, ranking gradually became evident. By the 14th century there were three dominating forces (About). These three forces were divided into three principalities: Hokuzan, Chuzan, and Nanzan, which today, correspond to the northern, central, and southern area's of Okinawa. Today they are called Kunigami, Nakagami, and Shimajiri regions (Andagi 9)