A groundbreaking study published in Geoscience Communication has revealed that traditional Okinawan songs serve not merely as cultural artifacts but as detailed records of 18th-century climate and geological events in the Ryukyu Islands, now part of modern-day Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. This remarkable intersection of Indigenous knowledge and scientific inquiry was spearheaded by Justin Higa, a postdoctoral fellow within the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. The study is a pioneering exploration into the ways classical Ryukyuan music encapsulates environmental observations, offering a compelling example of how art and science can coalesce to preserve historical environmental data.
The research team, comprising expert Ryukyuan music practitioners alongside Higa’s scientific expertise, focused on analyzing the lyrics of indigenous Ryukyuan classical songs which narrate ocean voyages undertaken by envoys of the Ryukyu Kingdom during the 18th century. These lyrics intricately describe natural phenomena such as the behavior of winds, ocean waves, and volcanic activity observed during these journeys. Through a meticulous cross-disciplinary approach, the researchers were able to correlate these poetic accounts with existing geological and climatological data, substantiating the validity of traditional knowledge as a reliable source of environmental history.
This innovative study not only highlights the descriptive precision embedded within the Okinawan musical tradition but also offers a template for integrating Indigenous oral histories with Western scientific methodologies. By juxtaposing the content of these classical songs against 20th and 21st-century scientific literature, the authors uncovered striking consistencies with known seasonal patterns, such as wind directions aligning with the East Asian Monsoon cycles. Such findings underscore the sophisticated observational understanding of the natural world possessed by Ryukyuan ancestors, preserved and transmitted through their musical heritage.
The research elucidates that the rough oceanic conditions described in the song lyrics reflect broader regional dynamics, including variations in Pacific Ocean circulation patterns and the impact of typhoon activity over centuries. This link between the classical musical narratives and oceanographic phenomena provides compelling evidence that folk expressions can act as proxy data for studying past climate variability—essential for refining models of long-term environmental changes in island ecosystems.
Another significant revelation from the study was the documentation of a volcanic eruption on a remote island during the 18th century. This event, recorded in the traditional melodies and lyrics, aligns with geological records, demonstrating how Indigenous oral traditions can capture transient yet critical environmental events. Such synchronization strengthens the case for collaboration between scientists and Indigenous knowledge holders in reconstructing detailed environmental histories.
Beyond its scientific contributions, the study serves an important cultural purpose. Justin Higa emphasizes that employing Ryukyuan classical music to interpret Indigenous environmental knowledge bridges the gap between science and culture — disciplines often seen as separate. This synthesis helps promote place-based education, enabling learners to engage with environmental science through the culturally resonant medium of music, making complex scientific concepts more accessible and relatable to Indigenous communities and broader audiences alike.
The research partners hail from the Ryukyu Koten Afuso Ryu Ongaku Kenkyu Choichi Kai USA, Hawaiʻi Chapter, a music school dedicated to preserving the Ryukyuan musical tradition, with active groups across Hawai‘i and Los Angeles. This deeply collaborative endeavor—blending Higa’s geoscience insights with the Masters’ profound musical expertise—exemplifies a model for combining traditional ecological knowledge with modern scientific frameworks, fostering mutual respect and methodological innovation.
Notably, the timing of this publication coincides poignantly with the 125th anniversary of Okinawan immigration to Hawai‘i. For Higa, this milestone enriches the significance of reconnecting descendants of Okinawan immigrants with their cultural and environmental heritage. Many of these descendants, separated from their linguistic and cultural roots across generations, may find inspiration through this work to engage with both science and Indigenous arts, revitalizing interest in their ancestral traditions.
Looking forward, the authors express ambition to expand the cataloging of Ryukyuan classical and folk songs to encompass broader environmental themes including water resource management, marine biology, and indigenous flora and fauna. Such efforts could unveil further historical records embedded within musical compositions and provide valuable data streams that complement conventional environmental archives, thus deepening our understanding of past ecological dynamics.
This research also challenges prevailing perceptions about Indigenous knowledge systems, demonstrating that such knowledge is not merely anecdotal or cultural but can encompass empirical environmental observations vital to contemporary scientific inquiry. By grounding their analysis in place-based learning, the authors provide a compelling framework for how Indigenous arts can contribute quantifiable insights into climate science, geology, and oceanography—the foundational pillars needed to address current environmental challenges.
In sum, this study heralds a transformative paradigm that reconceptualizes traditional arts as dynamic repositories of environmental knowledge. It spotlights how the integration of classical music and scientific analysis can yield novel insights into historical climate, geological events, and the intimate relationships between human societies and their environments. As global scientific communities seek to diversify data sources and incorporate Indigenous voices, such interdisciplinary approaches offer promising pathways for enriched understanding and collaborative stewardship of natural heritage.
This pioneering investigation not only elevates the intellectual heritage of the Ryukyu Islands but also encourages the revitalization of Indigenous cultural expressions as vital contributions to global environmental science. It invites researchers worldwide to reconsider the value of traditional knowledge preserved through song, poetry, and oral histories as indispensable complements to modern scientific research, fostering a holistic approach to understanding the Earth’s past, present, and future.
Subject of Research: Traditional Okinawan songs as records of 18th-century climate and geological history in the Ryukyu Islands
Article Title: Place-based science from Okinawa: 18th-century climate and geology recorded in Ryukyuan classical music
News Publication Date: 7-Oct-2025
Web References: https://gc.copernicus.org/articles/8/251/2025/
Image Credits: Boontigan Kuhasubpasin
Keywords: Indigenous knowledge, Ryukyuan classical music, Ryukyu Islands, climate history, geological events, East Asian Monsoon, Pacific Ocean circulation, volcanic eruption, place-based learning, environmental science, cultural heritage, interdisciplinary research
