Essays on the Marshallese Past Preface

There is little written on the history of the Marshall Islands which is still in print, or which is available in the Marshall Islands. Thus there is a need for a comprehensive history book and a need for publications on special topics. The publications on Marshallese Traditions and Tattoos, both of which appeared in 1992, belong to that category. There is also an urgent need to provide information to the public using the public media, TV, Radio and newspapers. The latter offer the opportunity to publish small essays on various topics, tailored to then ongoing debates or anniversaries of events.

Ennaanin Etto, "News from the Past," does neither aspire to represent a comprehensive history of the Marshall Islands, nor does is pertain to be an ethnography. The aim of this booklet is to bring together a number of essays written on the Marshallee Past.

The essays contained in this booklet had originally been written as part of the public education efforts of the Historic Preservation Office. They appeared as articles and contributions to the Marshall Islands Journal; the newsletter of the R.M.I. Historic Preservation Office, Ennaanin Etto; the 1992 Historic Preservation Calendar, and for a few other publications. These contributions are rounded out by a few other sections hitherto unpublished.

The articles were originally written to fulfil specific needs or reflect then ongoing work by the Historic Preservation Office. Thus this compilation has a very uneven spread of contributions both chronologically and topically. Taken together, however, this volume can be seen as a reader on Historic Preservation Issues running the gamut from oral traditions and raditional skills, to archaeology and World War II history.

I am very much indebted to The Hon. Minister for Internal Affairs, Brenson S. Wase, who made the funds available to print this volume.

My wife, Jane Downing, read and commented the individual sections as they were written and published over the years. In addition, she re-read all when assembled in the present form. To her efforts, and patience, I owe it that this booklet can be published.

Dirk H.R.Spennemann
Majuro Atoll
January 1993