An ancient ethnic group indigenous to the Okinawan islands. Linguistically close to Japanese, the Ryukyu languages constitute one of the two branches of the Japanese linguistic family. The Ryukyu Kingdom has since the 12th century until the 19th century Meiji period, been a vassel of the Chinese emperors (which remained only in name after the 17th century invasion and subjugation by the Satsuma Daimyos of Kyushu).
Although in early modern times the Ryukyans experienced national awakening, Okinawa became more an more integrated into the society of the Japanese mainland. However, much of the distinctive elements of the Ryukyans linger.