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 assume about the practices and customs. Okinawa, the principle island of the Okinawa Prefectures is referred to as the, Keystone of the Pacific. The climate comp ars to the Unites States southeastern coastal areas. The name Okinawa means, Rope in the sea. It is a fairly peachy description of this long stretch of islands amongst 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 most prominent custom or Okinawa is bowing. 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 not bow to a shopkeeper when 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 soulfulness 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 must show respect for the elderly. They believe that the older generations have an played out 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 depart fee l obligated to give in return.Okinawans also celebrate the lifes of their ancestors. They take a week off and all local anesthetic businesses are closed that week. It is celebrated the thirteenth trough the sixteenth of August. This holiday is called Obon. At this time, they visit the graves of the ancestors welcoming the spirits home. A makeshift diverge is prepared at the home of the eldest son that is where they communicate with their ancestors.