Essays on the Marshallese PastIntroduction |
The cultural resource management of the
A wapepe, a stickchart used to teach aspiring young navigators the unique Marshallese science of wave-and swell-pattern navigation.
With regard to Historic Preservation projects, the
It is the fundamental belief of the
The main problem the
At the same time, a dramatic increase in population and a breakdown of traditional inter-generational channels of communication have led to many social problems including an appalling rate of pre-dominantly young male suicides. Apart from economic benefits, the re-introduction of traditional skills has the potential to reinstate individual, as well as national pride and self-esteem. This could act as the nucleus for spiritual and cultural rejuvenation, which could carry the Marshallese population into the next century.
The present society of the
We cannot afford to loose our sense of history, our understanding of and appreciation for what our ancestors did to survive on these atolls. We cannot afford it because our spiritual well-being rests on it, because our cultural identity, that what makes us different from others, stems in this history. We Marshallese cannot afford it, because the economic and environmental challenges ahead, brought about by issues as diverse as population increase and sea-level rise caused by the greenhouse effect will put a strain on the resources this country has available to it. Traditional skills, where appropriate, are as much needed for the economic and environmental well-being of these atolls, as is overseas technical expertise and funding support.
Both systematic recording of the extant information, as well as systematic, but selective fostering of traditional skills and practices in a modern economic environment are needed. The increase in population will bring about pressures on the physical environment, thereby threatening the existence of large number of archaeological, historical and traditional sites. Inventorisation of such sites is needed, to allow for systematic decision-making in the event of construction. The legal basis has been laid with the
But Historic Preservation can only work if the community as a whole supports our work. Therefore, outreach activities are most important. If sites and traditions shall be protected for generations to come, then the present generation needs to be aware of them.
The articles reproduced here had been written as public education tools for publication in various popular newspapers and magzines.
A small outrigger canoe in
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