Marshallese Legends and Traditions Origin of Islands and Places

Like the Legends of Creation, these stories explain natural phenomena, things, around the islands--specifically the islands themselves and features and places on these islands. The inland pool or the holes in the coral, or the lack of trees in one area, was seen as proof of the truth in the story.

As with all the stories in the collection, these legends are filled with giants and monsters, people coming back to life from the dead, ghosts, and magic of all kinds. These other-worldly elements are spoken of as quite natura--they are not to be wondered at.

Some of the supernatural beings are wicked--the monster in Mejit--and some are good--Lijjakwe of Ebon. But it is usually quite easy to see which is which.