Yap is located in the Western Carolines, about Midway between Guam and Palau. Yap is one volcanic complex made up of four islands plus eleven inhabited outer islands and atolls. The total land area of Yap State is 46 sq. miles.
In 1500 BC, migrants from Eastern Indonesia and the Southern Philippines populated Yap. In 1731, missionaries, Juan Cantova and Victor Walter, brought Catholicism to the island of Mogmog. In 1869, Germans established a trading station on Yap Proper. David Dean O’Keefe, an American sailor, who had been shipwrecked on Yap a year earlier, returned to Yap. He brought with him money from the island of Palau in exchange for coconut meat. He then began to export coconut meat to Asia. In 1874, Spain proclaimed sovereignty over Yap. From 1885 to1886, Spain and Germany feuded. Intervention from the Pope Leo XIII resulted in Yap being awarded to Spain. In 1899, Spain sold Yap to Germany.
From 1900 to1906, influenza and leprosy devastated the Yap population. In 1919, during World War I, Japan took control over Yap. The Japanese established a successful production of coconut meat. In1925, a typhoon destroyed almost all the homes in Yap. During World War II, the Yapese suffered under Japanese occupation. The Allies bombed the business district on Yap. Ulithi, which was seized by the Allies, was turned into a massive staging area. Up to 1,000 ships occupied the lagoon. In 1945, American forces occupied Yap after Japan’s surrender. In 1966, volunteers from the Peace Corps arrived in Yap. They began work as teachers and legal advisors.
The first round of negotiations between Congress of Micronesia and the U.S. were held in 1969 to discuss the future political status of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, which later became the Federated States of Micronesia. The Compact of Free Association between the U.S. and the Federated States of Micronesia was signed in 1986. This contract outlined the security and economic agreements. In 1991, Micronesia was admitted as a member of the United Nations General Assembly.
There are four traditional, distinct languages in Yap: Yapese, Ulitian, Woleaian, and Satawalese. Yapese is the language spoken on Yap proper. The other languages are spoken in the outer islands. Words in Japanese, Spanish, German, and English are also woven into the language. Generally, Yapese youths speak English as their second language. Most elders speak Japanese as their second language. English is the official language of the Federated States of Micronesia.
Yapese live in their home villages located outside of Colonia. Villages retain many features that have remained for centuries, such as stone pathways and house platforms. There are three styles of traditional structures of Yap. The largest of the three is the “pebay.” This is the place for the community to come together for school, dances, and meetings. The “tabnuw” is the family house and is generally smaller than the community house. The roof is made of a woven thatch. The inside is one open room with no bathroom. The kitchen is contained in a separate structure outside the family house. The “faluw” is the men’s house.
Prior to WWI, women were kidnapped and brought to the faluw. This practice does not occur today. It was once considered an honor to be chosen for the faluw because only the most beautiful women would be taken there. As the Yapese culture became more influenced by the outside world’s negative views of prostitution, this practice was stopped. Like all structures in Yap, you must obtain permission to enter the men’s house.
Many Yapese still wear traditional attire of loincloths or "thus" for the men and "grass skirts" or lava lavas for the women. "Thus" are generally made of red, white, or blue cloth. The grass skirts worn by Yapese women are not made of grass but of shredded leaves of ti, banana, betelnut, fragrant ginger, fern, and other leaves. Today, the western culture has influenced the Yap dress code and many Yapese are seen wearing shorts and t-shirts with name brand logos such as Nike. The more traditional ways of dressing are reserved for dance.
Dances are an important part of Yapese culture because they are used to celebrate significant events in the community, whether it is the building of a new structure or an elementary school graduation. Dances are always performed together, never as an individual.
Yapese stone money, rai, is seen all over the island. In 1871, an Irish-American named David Dean O’Keefe was shipwrecked on Yap. He came to dominate the coconut meat trade and was known on Yap as “His Majesty O’Keefe.” In exchange for the coconut meat, he transported the stone discs from Palau, 280 miles away, to Yap. A piece of stone money can be several inches thick, and there is always a hole in the middle so it can be carried. The stones are at least 1 foot wide and can be as large as 12 feet wide. The value of the stone money is based on its history, age, type of stone, shape, and the difficulty it took to obtain it. The stones that involved great personal risk are more valuable. Banks of stone money line the footpaths in villages. The money is sometimes exchanged at a village festival. The stones are not exchanged at stores for common merchandise. U.S. currency is used for everyday goods. During the Japanese occupation of Yap, some of these stones were crushed and used to make roads.
Fresh fish is the main source of protein. Pork, chicken, and crab are also common. Important to the Yapese culture are taro, coconut, breadfruit, bananas, mangoes, sweet potatoes, tapioca, and papaya. Rice, canned meats such as Spam and corned-beef hash, and turkey tails have become popular, too. Chewing betelnut is a ritual in Yap. The nut is split, then crushed coral is added, sometimes with a dab of tobacco that has been soaked in vodka. It is then wrapped in a pepper leaf and chewed.
Written by: Jason Berg
Sources:
Orr, Francine, Engle, Tim “Yap Facts. A Primer of Yapese culture.” Kansas City Star 1998
“Federated States of Micronesia” http://www.fm/yap.htm
“Welcome to Yap” http://www.destmic.com/yap.html
“Geography and map of Micronesia” http://www.about.com