This was part of Pacific Islands - Day 3 π²π π.
The Alele Museum and Public Library had many sections and exhibits and loads of information to peruse.
The Marshallese are world-renowned for their “Meto” (navigation) skills, which allowed them to cross vast distances without modern instruments. There were Rebbelip (large charts covering major portions of both island chains) and Wappepe (smaller charts depicting wave patterns common to all atolls) on display.
Outrigger canoes were the backbone of the economy. Walap were large sailing vessels (up to 30m) capable of carrying 40 people on open-sea voyages. Tipnol were mid-sized canoes for lagoon and open-sea fishing. And Korkor were small rowing canoes for lagoon travel. Builders often carved unique shapes at the end of the canoe (jim), which served as a personal “signature” of their expertise.
Over 50 recorded fishing techniques were on display, including: Wu: Submerged wooden fish traps, Me: Large stone weirs constructed on reefs and Kaaj: Specialized fishhooks made of mother-of-pearl or ironwood.
Tattooing (Eo) was a sacred process that served as a distinct marker of Marshallese identity. Motifs were abstract pictographs rooted in the environment, such as fish markings or shell patterns. A manβs chest tattoo symbolized a canoe, while the back triangle represented the ocean. The tattooing adze (ni) featured bone chisels made from the wings of albatross or frigate birds. The black pigment (mamΕj) was created from charred coconut fibers.
Weaving was a “treasured cultural asset” that traditionally permeated every aspect of daily life. The Alele basket was a soft-sided pandanus bag used to hold a family’s most valuable possessions, passed down through the eldest woman. Jaki-ed and Nieded: Intricately designed clothing mats.
The 20th century introduced a period of profound trauma as the islands became a site for United States nuclear testing. Operation Crossroads (1946) included the “Baker Shot” at Bikini Atoll. Operation Castle (1954) and the “Bravo” explosion which was the largest ever made by the U.S. and caused significant fallout. The people of Bikini Atoll were forced to leave their homes in 1946 after final prayers at their graveyard. Residents of Rongelap and other atolls suffered radiation exposure, requiring decades of medical monitoring. It was all quite sombre to read.
