Culture of the Marshall Islands
The culture of the
The land was and still remains the most important measure of a family's wealth. Land is inherited through the maternal line.
Since the arrival of Christian missionaries, the culture has shifted from a subsistence-based economy towards a more westernized economy and standard.
The people can be described as friendly and peaceful. Strangers are relatively received warmly. Consideration for others is important to the
The island culture was heavily impacted by the fight for Kwajalein Atoll during World War II and the United States nuclear testing program on Bikini Atoll from 1946 and 1958. Former residents and their descendants who were ousted after World War II receive compensation from the U.S. government. This dependence on aid has shifted residents' loyalty away from traditional chiefs. The island culture is heavily influenced today by the presence of about 2000 foreign personnel on the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site, which includes rocket launch, test, and support facilities on eleven islands of the Kwajalein Atoll, along with Wake Island and Aur Atoll.
Pre-western culture
The Marshallese were once skilled
Modern culture
The modern culture of the islanders is heavily influenced by Western Christian missionaries who began arriving in the late 19th century.
Clothing and dress
The men wore a fringe skirt of native materials about 25 to 30 inches (60 to 80 cm) long. Women traditionally[4] wore two mats about a yard (metre) square each, made by weaving pandanus and hibiscus leaves together,[2] and belted around the waist.[5] Children were usually naked.[2]
The missionaries influenced the islanders' notions of modesty. In 1919, a visitor reported that Marshall Islands women "are perfect models of prudery. Not one would think of exposing her ankles..." Every lagoon was led by a king and queen and a following of chieftains and chief women who comprised a ruling caste. Some of the leaders maintained Western-style bungalows and maintained servants, including secretaries, maids, and valets.
Poverty was non-existent. The islanders worked the copra plantations under the watchful eye of the Japanese, who took a portion of the sales. Chiefs could retain as much as US$20,000 per year. The remainder was distributed to the workers. They took pride in extending hospitality to one another, even distant relatives.[3]
Women in the Marshall Islands today are still very modest. They believe a woman's thighs[6] and shoulders should be covered.[7] Women generally wear cotton muʻumuʻus or similar clothing that covers most of the body. While personal health is never discussed except within the family, and although women are especially private about female-related health issues,[4] they are willing to talk about their breasts.[4]
Marshall island women swim in muʻumuʻus which are made of a fine polyester that quickly dries. In the capital of Majuro, revealing cocktail dresses are inappropriate for both islanders and guests.[7] With the increasing influence of Western media, the younger generation may wear shorts, though the older generation equates shorts with loose morals. T-shirts, jeans, skirts, and makeup are making their way via the media to the islands.[8]
Income
Before the advent of
Land-based wealth
The Marshallese society is
To all Marshallese, land is gold. If you were an owner of land, you would be held up as a very important figure in our society. Without land you would be viewed as a person of no consequence... But land here on Bikini is now poison land.[11]
Clan-based society
Marshallese social classes included distinct chiefs and commoners. The irooj laplap held the most power and were considered almost sacred or godly. To show respect, others stooped and approached on their knees. They always obeyed the orders of their high chief. The irooj laplap received the best food, could choose the best land, and had as many wives as they wanted. In return, they were responsible for leading the people in community work, on sailing expeditions, and in war. Their power was normally limited to one part or the whole of one atoll. A high chief who waged war successfully could conquer and control several atolls. The irooj laplap were followed by the irooj rik, the lesser chiefs, and finally the kajur, or commoner.[2]
Each family is part of a clan (Bwij), which owns all land. The clan owes allegiance to a chief (Iroij). The chiefs oversee the clan heads (Alap), who are supported by laborers (Rijerbal). The Iroij control land tenure, resource use and distribution, and settle disputes. The Alap supervise land maintenance and daily activities. The Rijerbal work the land including farming, cleaning, and construction.
The Marshallese society is
Before the residents were relocated, they were led by a local chief and under the nominal control of the Paramount Chief of the Marshall Islands. Afterward, they had greater interaction with representatives of the trust fund and the U.S. government and began to look to them for support.[9]
Language
Both Marshallese and English are the official languages of the Marshall Islands. Most Marshallese speak both the Marshallese language and at least some English. Government agencies use Marshallese. One important word in Marshallese is "yokwe" which is similar to the Hawaiian "aloha" and means "hello", "goodbye" and "love".[citation needed]
Food
Marshallese food that is eaten today can be dated back to the establishment of the actual culture. A staple food of the Marshallese culture is rice. The intake of rice was most likely influenced by the Korean. The Marshallese eat meats like pork, fish, shellfish, chicken. Considering that it is an island there is no beef unless shipped frozen. With the many coconut trees on the island, coconuts would be a staple food as well.
As far as preparing the food, usually the women prepare all the sides and men prepare the meat. When serving food at events it is important on how you serve it and who you serve in order. The first to receive food should be the Pastor in a respectful manner. After the Pastor is served, if it is a birthday, then the parents of the child and the child shall receive food next. Then the grandparents and so on and so forth.[13]
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See also
References
- ^ "Culture". Embassy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Introduction to Marshallese Culture". Retrieved 17 August 2013.
- ^ a b McMahon, Thomas J. (November 1919). "The Land of the Model Husband". Travel. 34 (1).
- ^ . Retrieved 25 August 2013.
- ^ Bliss, Edwin Munsell (1891). The Encyclopedia of Missions. Vol. II. New York: Funk & Wagnalls.
- ^ "Customs". Marshall Islands. FIU College of Business Administration. Archived from the original on 18 June 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
- ^ a b "Marshall Islands". Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
- ^ "Republic of the Marshall Islands" (PDF). Culture Grams 2008. Ann Arbor, Michigan. Retrieved 25 August 2013.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b "Bikini". Countries and their Cultures. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
- ^ "Bikini History". Archived from the original on 23 June 2007. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
- PMID 11527760.
- ^ "Marshallese Culture". Retrieved 16 August 2013.
- ISBN 9781921536915.
Rice with warm sweet tea is the weaning food on outer islands of the Marshall Islands.
- ^ "Marshall Islands". Archived from the original on 2005-10-26. Retrieved 2005-10-26.