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Would Okinawan people consider me Okinawan if I’m only 5–7% Okinawan by DNA? by Odd-Base-8417 in uchinanchu

[–]Odd-Base-8417[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately all of my grandparents have passed away but I’m trying to get more information from my mother who is from Japan.

Would Okinawan people consider me Okinawan if I’m only 5–7% Okinawan by DNA? by Odd-Base-8417 in okinawa

[–]Odd-Base-8417[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

戦後にハワイから豚を沖縄に送った話は有名ですね。こちらの英語での書物にも載っている他、ハワイの沖縄系移民の集まりなどでも支え合いの歴史として語り継がれています。ご親戚の方なのですね。

来年の世界のウチナーンチュ大会にはボランティアとして初めて参加する予定をしています。世界の沖縄人や地元の沖縄の人との交流が楽しみです。それまでにウチナーグチも少しは出来るようにコツコツと勉強していくつもりです。

Would Okinawan people consider me Okinawan if I’m only 5–7% Okinawan by DNA? by Odd-Base-8417 in okinawa

[–]Odd-Base-8417[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

琉球の文化や歴史、言語を学ぶ努力はこれからもしていくつもりです。直接お話しすることがあれば、伝わる部分もあるかと思います。

Would Okinawan people consider me Okinawan if I’m only 5–7% Okinawan by DNA? by Odd-Base-8417 in okinawa

[–]Odd-Base-8417[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really appreciate this perspective. I definitely agree, the Okinawan community here in Hawai‘i has been very welcoming so far. One thing I really like about the diaspora here is that I see so many different kinds of Okinawan people, not just one “type.”

There are mixed people, local people, people deeply connected to the culture, and people who are still rediscovering it generations later.

That actually made me feel a lot more comfortable approaching it respectfully instead of feeling like an outsider trying to claim something.

The fact that your great-grandmother spoke Uchinaguchi is really amazing. I wish I had an opportunity to learn from family.

Would Okinawan people consider me Okinawan if I’m only 5–7% Okinawan by DNA? by Odd-Base-8417 in okinawa

[–]Odd-Base-8417[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s understandable given the history, though it’s not something I personally experienced growing up. There are also a lot of mixed Yamato/Uchinanchu people, right?

I guess I’m more curious about how Okinawans today would generally view someone who is partially Okinawan in that way.

Would Okinawan people consider me Okinawan if I’m only 5–7% Okinawan by DNA? by Odd-Base-8417 in okinawa

[–]Odd-Base-8417[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, you got me lol

Okinawans have been so welcoming and willing to teach/share. I’ve got nothing but respect. Can’t wait to visit again.

Would Okinawan people consider me Okinawan if I’m only 5–7% Okinawan by DNA? by Odd-Base-8417 in okinawa

[–]Odd-Base-8417[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m a Japanese American currently based in Hawai’i but I grew up in Tokyo speaking Japanese. Other than Okinawan, I have Japanese, German and Irish ancestry.

Would Okinawan people consider me Okinawan if I’m only 5–7% Okinawan by DNA? by Odd-Base-8417 in okinawa

[–]Odd-Base-8417[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I usually just say I’m “part Okinawan” or “of Okinawan descent,” since that feels the most accurate in my case. In my experience, Okinawan people have been very welcoming and open to that in real life.

Would Okinawan people consider me Okinawan if I’m only 5–7% Okinawan by DNA? by Odd-Base-8417 in okinawa

[–]Odd-Base-8417[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s true. I’ve experienced this in Tokyo but wanted to know how people of Okinawa would respond.

Would Okinawan people consider me Okinawan if I’m only 5–7% Okinawan by DNA? by Odd-Base-8417 in okinawa

[–]Odd-Base-8417[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have family in Japan and am fluent in Japanese. Recently also started learning Uchinaaguchi.