Living on Okinawa :: essays research papers

Living on OkinawaCustoms and Beliefs of the LocalsLiving on Okinawa can be a great experience, you just have to get out and learn about the practices and usage. Okinawa, the principle island of the Okinawa Prefectures is referred to as the, Keystone of the Pacific. The climate compares to the Unites States southeastern coastal areas. The bear on Okinawa means, Rope in the sea. It is a fairly good description of this long stretch of islands between mainland Japan and Taiwan. Okinawa consists of forty-one inhabited islands. Okinawa is also a major tourist destination. Okinawas customs and environment are beautiful and appealing to all.Okinawans are benevolent and genuinely peaceful people. The society and customs have survived thousands of years. One of the nearly prominent custom or Okinawa is stateing. Bowing is an Okinawan greeting, having the same meaning as shaking hands in America. It shows respect the deeper the bow the more the respect. One would non bow to a shopkeeper w hen making a purchase. Another sign of respect is how you address Okinawans. When addressing an Okinawan, custom dictates using his or her last name and the suffix san. So if you have someone with the name Sakura Uchima she would be called Uchima-san. This goes for both male and female. Okinawans customs deal with matters of respect and courtesy. First, you essential show respect for the elderly. They believe that the older generations have an exhausted place in the Okinawan society. Second, you should never walk into an Okinawan home, shrines, or temples wearing shoes. You also do not tip at off base restaurants, hotels, or bars when you are on base you do as Americans do tip. One of the most delightful Okinawan custom is gift giving. Okinawans exchange presents between friends and neighbors on seasonal occasions, journeys, moves, and at the beginning of the New Year. When receiving gifts, it is customary to give one in return. If you give a gift to an Okinawan, he or she will fee l obligated to give in return.Okinawans also celebrate the lifes of their ancestors. They take a week off and all local businesses are closed that week. It is celebrated the thirteenth trough the sixteenth of August. This holiday is called Obon. At this time, they get down the graves of the ancestors welcoming the spirits home. A makeshift alter is prepared at the home of the eldest son that is where they communicate with their ancestors.