Yap Cultural Heritage

Stone Money

Exchange is an important part of life in all cultures, but the Yapese have developed a unique form of currency found nowhere else in the world. Yap's stone money (Rai or Fei) has been used for centuries. These doughnut-shaped giant stone discs vary in size from a few inches to to 13 feet or more. They date back to almost two millennia when the first stone money was quarried from the glistening walls of Palau's limestone caverns, a 250 mile (400 kms) sea journey south of Yap. Thousands of voyages followed over the millennia and the hazardous journey became a right of passage for Yapese warriors, many of whom perished in the attempt. It took about five days in good weather to reach Palau and required skilful sailing and navigation.

The value of the stone money is determined by its age, size, beauty, and the hazards of the journey, including the deaths incurred. While the US dollar is the official currency of Yap today, stone money holds a strong social and ceremonial value and used for major transactions such as dowry payments and land purchases.

The Rai are seldom moved and remain where they were first raised. There are hundreds of stone money scattered across Yap Proper and each village displays the larger pieces in outdoor 'stone money banks'. The largest stone money on Yap, is found on Rumung Island in the north.

Traditional Dance

Yapese 'Churu', a highly developed dance form, is a central part of the Yap's culture. It is dancing in a form of storytelling and oral history – often telling stories of canoes, conquest, and more recently, religious events. Dancers wear beautiful costumes, including multi-coloured hibiscus skirts and intricate, ornamental head-dress, decorating their bodies with flowers, coconut oil and yellow turmeric powder before performing.

Dances begin with a thunderous clap, repeated over and over by a line of solemn dancers until a simple rhythm is firmly established. From the centre of the line a solitary voice emits a powerful rasping wail introducing a story told in a forgotten tongue. Suddenly the single voice is joined by a mighty, reverberating chorus of voices bellowing an ancient chant – the dance is joined.

The four main forms of dance are based Sitting, Standing, Marching and Bamboo Stick Fighting. Traditionally, dances are segregated by sex but in recent years the bamboo dances are performed jointly by men and women. Dancing is also an interactive sport in Yap, with the observers playing the role of coaches and critics. Old men or women usually occupy the best seats and are merciless in their criticism – exhorting the dancers to greater physical effort and often painful positions. Given the prestige and intense scrutiny dancers often practice at night, under the moon, for up to a year before major performances.

Tattooing

The traditional art of Yapese body tattooing was practiced well into the 20th century. Yapese and Outer Islanders decorated their bodies with intricate tattoo patterns of three distinct types - Yol, Gachow and Salbachag – which designated high status, martial skills and personal body art. The process of tattooing the legs or full body involved a great deal of pain as soot was burned into the body to make the exquisite designs. Tattoo masters still practise their art on Yap, but full body tattoos are becoming increasingly rare. As tattoo culture has become a popular mainstream fashion statement these days, many visitors, as well as locals, choose to get a traditional tattoo as a part of their Yapese experience. The Yap Tribal Tattoo parlour in Colonia is a popular choice:

Handicrafts

Baskets, jewellery, grass skirts and carvings are among Yap's most popular handicrafts. The most common baskets are those for carrying betel nut and babies. In Yap Proper, men's betel nut baskets, called "Waay", are often shaped like half-moons. Baskets from the Outer Islands are more rectangular in shape, with rounded edges. Women' baskets are made of pandanus or palm leaves and come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. Early anthropologists reported many types of jewellery that are no longer made today, while most modern jewellery is now made from turtle and ocean shells. Traditional wooden combs and bracelets are also made, as well as earrings and necklaces. Carved replicas of canoes and wooden statues are still produced on Yap Proper and in the Outer Islands. Other popular handicrafts include Hibiscus and cloth lavalavas from the Outer Islands and replicas of 'Yar' shell money. Pottery used to be a highly developed art in Yap, but the skill has been lost in recent years.

To view displays of traditional handicrafts, model sized canoes and other Yapese cultural items visit the Historic Preservation Office in Colonia or the MICSEM Project at the Catholic High School in Namgil.

Historical Preservation Office Colonia
Open: Monday to Friday (7.30am–4.30pm)
Entry: Free of Charge Phone: (691) 350 4226

MICSEM Project
Yap Catholic High School
Namgil
Open: Monday to Friday (8.00am–4.00pm)
Entry: Free of Charge Phone: (691) 350 8390