Micronesia - Burnet Middle School

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CultureGrams
World Edition
Federated States of
2014
Micronesia
History
Early Civilization
Just how the islands of Micronesia were originally settled
remains unclear. One theory suggests that about three to four
thousand years ago, the earliest inhabitants sailed in outrigger
canoes eastward from Indonesia and the Philippines to the
larger islands of Yap. Another group traveled northward from
Melanesia and Polynesia to Kosrae and Pohnpei. Current
archaeological and linguistic evidence casts doubt on this
theory, so researchers continue to look for clues.
Whatever its origins, the society eventually came under the
leadership of powerful chiefs. One section of Yap extended
its power east as far as Chuuk and north to the Mariana
Islands. Outer islanders would sail to Yap to pay tribute to the
chief with food and woven goods. The Yapese, in return,
would give the outer islanders goods not available to them,
such as clay pots and turmeric. Meanwhile, Leluh, on Kosrae,
and Nan Madol, on Pohnpei, developed as centers of religious
and political power. Both cities had grand basalt-walled
compounds. Their ruins are still in place. Nan Madol is the
largest archaeological site in Micronesia.
Outside Contact
Micronesia's first European contact was with Spanish and
Portuguese explorers in the 1500s. Spanish attempts to
introduce Christianity in the 1700s met with little success.
The religion did not gain greater acceptance until the late 19th
century. Micronesia did not have extensive contact with the
West until 1899, when Germany bought the rights to
Micronesia from Spain. Germany set up trading stations and
exported copra (dried coconut) until after World War I, when
Japan was given a League of Nations mandate to govern the
BACKGROUND
Land and Climate
Area (sq. mi.): 271
Area (sq. km.): 702
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), composed of 607
scattered islands in the Caroline Islands, occupies 965,250
square miles (2,499,986 square kilometers) of the Pacific
Ocean. This nation, with more than 2,300 miles (3,700
kilometers) of coastline, has less land area than Tonga or a
quarter of the U.S. state of Rhode Island.
Only 52 islands are inhabited. They are grouped into four
states: Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk, and Yap. Micronesia's
landforms vary from mountainous islands to low-lying coral
atolls. The nation's capital, Palikir, is on Pohnpei—the largest
island, at 130 square miles (336 square kilometers).
Micronesia means “tiny islands,” and is appropriately
named—the majority of the islands cover less than 1 square
mile (2.6 square kilometers).
In the tropical climate, average daytime temperatures
range from the middle to upper 80s Fahrenheit (29–32°C).
Heavy rainfall is common, particularly on the eastern islands.
More distinct dry and rainy seasons occur on the western
islands. During the rainy season (May–December), brief but
heavy rain showers interrupt longer periods of sunshine. The
typhoon season begins in late summer and lasts through
December. Islands on the typhoon belt occasionally suffer
severe storm damage.
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region. Japanese rule was severe and alienated large tracts of
land from Micronesians, even though it brought economic
development to some islands. Preparations for war began in
1935; remains of airstrips, bunkers, and other structures are
visible across the FSM today. After defeating Japan in 1944,
the United States assumed control of Micronesia.
Moving toward Independence
In 1947, the United Nations recognized the United States as
the administering authority of the Trust Territory of the
Pacific Islands (TTPI). The TTPI included the Mariana
Islands, Marshall Islands, Palau, Yap, Truk (now Chuuk), and
Ponape (now Pohnpei). Kusaie (now Kosrae) was part of
Ponape. Yap, Truk, Ponape, and Kusaie voted to become a
separate entity in 1978. The Constitution of the Federated
States of Micronesia went into effect on 10 May 1979.
The FSM entered into a Compact of Free Association with
the United States in 1986. A new 20-year Compact was
signed in 2003. Under the agreement, the United States
recognizes the FSM's sovereignty and control over national
affairs, and it grants the FSM financial assistance,
immigration rights, and access to U.S. federal programs. In
exchange, the FSM grants the United States access to its
territory and control of its national defense.
Environmental Issues
In 2004, Typhoon Sudel hit Micronesia, destroying most of
the islands' roads, houses, and buildings. In 2013, Micronesia
joined with several other Pacific Island nations to commit to
the Micronesia Challenge, an environmental preservation
program that seeks to conserve 30 percent of marine
resources near the islands and 20 percent of the land
resources.
Micronesia continues to make efforts to lessen its
dependence on foreign aid, but its remote location and size
are obstacles to complete independence.
Recent Events and Trends
• Shark sanctuary: In 2011, Micronesia banned the shark-fin
trade and commercial shark harvesting, joining with
neighboring islands to create the world’s first regional shark
sanctuary.
Most languages spoken in the FSM are interrelated, though
people on neighboring islands are more likely to understand
one another than those on distant islands. Yapese, spoken on
Yap's main islands, is unrelated to the other Micronesian
languages. Also unrelated are the Polynesian languages
spoken on Nukuoro and Kapingamarangi, which are more
closely related to languages in Samoa and Tonga.
Traditionally unwritten, all Micronesian languages are
now recorded in a Roman alphabet. Local languages have
adopted many words from Spanish, Japanese, and English.
English is the official language of government and the
primary language for school instruction. While most
Micronesians know some English, local dialects are preferred
for everyday speaking. Many older people speak some
Japanese.
Religion
About 97 percent of the population is Christian, mostly
belonging to Catholic or Protestant faiths. Other faiths
practiced in the FSM include the Seventh-day Adventist
Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and
the Baha'i Faith. Attending church on Sunday is important,
particularly to women.
Christianity has not entirely replaced the traditional beliefs
that shaped the culture until the 20th century. Traditional
customs still play a role in dances, feasts, and funerals. Many
people still believe in magic, ancient legends and myths,
ghosts, and evil spirits.
General Attitudes
Cultural practices vary greatly between states, and traditional
ways are more common the farther one is from a state center.
Individuals primarily gain their identity as members of a
family. People regularly work, play, and eat in groups.
Desiring privacy is usually considered antisocial. Respect for
traditional leaders is valued.
Micronesians are rarely in a hurry and meet appointments
and obligations at their own pace. It is common to wait for
everyone to arrive before beginning meetings. Sitting in
groups and saying nothing for extended periods of time is not
unusual. Micronesians are nonconfrontational and reserved in
public, often saying what a listener wants to hear.
Western values and traditional Pacific ways sometimes
collide in Micronesia, resulting in conflict with traditional
authority and confusion (e.g., someone might try to start an
event on time when guests are coming late). Even the
introduction of Western foods into the islanders' diet has had
serious consequences, introducing new health problems such
as diabetes and obesity.
THE PEOPLE
Population
Population: 106,104
Population Growth Rate: -0.38%
Urban Population: 23%
The FSM has at least nine distinct ethnic groups, but most are
culturally Micronesian. The exceptions are the inhabitants of
Pohnpei's Kapingamarangi and Nukuoro atolls, who are of
Polynesian origin. Language is the greatest distinguisher
between ethnic groups; outer islanders speak different
languages from main islanders. However, different groups are
mixing as government jobs attract outer islanders to state
centers. The largest city in each state—the “state center”—is
home to the majority of people in that state.
Personal Appearance
Residents of state centers are likely to wear casual,
Western-style clothing. Men wear shorts and T-shirts or
square-cut shirts. Women wear T-shirts and long, colorful
skirts. In Chuuk and Pohnpei, they layer two or more skirts. It
is considered improper for women to let their thighs show.
Some women wear pants.
Remote villagers and outer islanders in Yap and Chuuk
wear traditional clothing. Western clothing has been banned
Language
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on most of Yap's outer islands. A man wears a thu (piece of
cloth) around his waist. A woman wears a lavalava (a handor loom-woven skirt). Girls and young women might also
wear long skirts made of coconut fronds. Neither males nor
females wear clothing above the waist. These customs are
similar on western Chuuk islands. Zorries (rubber or plastic
flip-flops) are the common footwear on all islands.
Most women wear their hair long and keep it tied back or
pulled up with combs. Some women and most children keep
their hair short to help control lice. Part of daily health care is
searching for and controlling lice. Micronesians value
cleanliness and either bathe several times a day in the ocean
or take showers. Tika (coconut oil) is often used on the hair
and body. Perfumes are also popular. Flowers are part of daily
dress. Children on some islands will not be sent off to school
unless they are adorned with a wreath of flowers. People wear
and give away intricate floral head garlands for special
occasions.
Visiting
Visiting, especially with members of the extended family, is
an important part of daily life. Allowing a long period of time
to lapse between visits can be a serious insult. Visiting
someone who is sick or has recently had a baby is especially
important. People usually do not need a reason to drop by a
friend's or relative's home. They often sit outside or in a
special hut and chat. Conversations are not held in doorways
since that might prevent someone from entering. Children and
adults socialize separately. Sunday is ideal for visiting
because many islanders observe the Christian Sabbath by not
working. Hosts usually offer instant coffee to guests. Cold
drinks are not always available due to lack of ice and
refrigeration. If already prepared, food is also offered to
guests. People often sit on mats woven from coconut or
pandanus leaves. Men sit with their legs crossed, while
women tuck their legs to the side. Since it is improper to step
over anyone, one must walk completely around seated people,
even if they are sitting far apart. In a room, people generally
sit against the walls. Usually only the man of the house sits in
the doorway.
CUSTOMS AND COURTESIES
Greetings
Greetings are casual, simple, and friendly. Yapese greet in
passing with Kafel (It was good). Kafel is also used for
good-bye. Friends greeted with Mogethin? (What did you
come here for?) may respond with Dariy (Nothing). English
greetings are also used. A Pohnpei greeting is Kaselehlie
(Hello). The Chuukese greet each other with Ran annim
(Good morning). A common greeting on the outer islands of
Yap, Chuuk, and Pohnpei is some form of Budoh mongoi
(Come and eat). It is proper to answer politely “I am full” if
one desires not to eat. On many islands, one might greet an
approaching individual with the local equivalent of “Where
are you coming from?” or “Where are you going?” Shaking
hands is a recently adopted custom and is not widespread;
bowing one's head is more common. Adults often address
each other with the terms for “man” or “woman.” Children
address aunts and uncles with the words for “mother” and
“father.”
Eating
Micronesians eat meals at irregular intervals, when food
preparation is finished. On smaller islands, this usually means
waiting until the day's fishing is completed. Children and
adults eat separately. Special guests and children are always
served first, and the adults eat what is left. Older single males
and females eat from separate plates, while small children,
regardless of gender, often share one plate. People mostly eat
with the fingers, although they sometimes use forks and
spoons. Many people use traditional utensils such as spoons
cut from the side of a green coconut or straws made from a
papaya leaf stem. Micronesians usually offer food to visitors
or people passing by. It is an insult to refuse this offer unless
one says “I am full.” The plentiful leftovers from feasts are
wrapped up and taken home to be shared with family
members. Trying to get more than one's share is despised, but
not taking something home is also an insult.
Gestures
Walking between two people engaged in conversation is
inappropriate. If one must walk between people, one bows
(even to a 90 degree angle) while holding the hand behind the
back and saying “Excuse me.” On some of the more
traditional islands, women must bow as they walk past men or
crouch down when a man passes them. Women bow to male
relatives, can only approach them when the men are standing,
and cannot sit near or level with them.
Maintaining eye contact during conversation is
disrespectful; people usually look down or in another
direction. To greet in passing, Micronesians may make quick
eye contact and nod or raise their eyebrows. Raising the
eyebrows also signifies “yes,” and lowering them can mean
“no.” When called to from a distance, a person will give a
loud “oooh” as a way of saying “I am here.” To summon
another person, one waves all fingers of an extended hand
with the palm facing down.
LIFESTYLE
Family
Structure
The extended family remains the most significant social unit
in Micronesian life. Most islands have matrilineal systems in
which family membership and land ownership pass from
women to their children. In this system, newlyweds can move
to the wife's family's land and start a garden on a piece of the
property to claim it as their own. Land boundaries are
well-known, though there are few markers or fences. People
even own individual coconut trees. Markers are now being
erected by the government.
Extended families often live together on a shared property.
Through the widespread practice of informal adoption,
children often live with relatives such as uncles and aunts.
Grandparents and elders are respected and generally cared for
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by extended family members.
Gender Roles
Though most salaried positions are as likely to be held by
either gender, in traditional activities men's and women's roles
are clearly defined. Women cook, garden, and raise children.
Older girls help care for younger siblings and learn to weave.
Boys learn to fish at a young age. Men do most of the fishing
and hunting, and they gather breadfruit and coconuts.
Strict rules of respect and propriety govern interactions
between extended family members of the opposite gender.
These rules regulate where one sits and how one acts and
speaks in the presence of members of the opposite gender of
one's own or older generations.
the deceased's house for several days. The family is required
to provide food to all the visitors, so family and friends bring
contributions of money and food to help defray the cost. The
body is usually laid inside the house for the first day or two,
allowing relatives and friends to mourn over it before the
burial in the family compound, often just outside the house. In
some island groups, people also observe death anniversaries
with family gatherings and feasts.
Diet
Imported rice has become a dietary staple, joining local crops
such as papaya, sweet potatoes, bananas, taro, and breadfruit.
Taro can be boiled and pounded, while breadfruit may be
baked, sliced into chips, or served in a salad. Coconut milk is
often used in cooking and making drinks. Fish is prepared in a
variety of ways: fried, grilled, baked, or as sashimi (raw fish),
which is flavored with soy sauce, lemon or lime juice, or
wasabi (a hot, green Japanese paste containing horseradish).
Local fruits include papaya and mangoes. Chicken, eggs, and
canned meats and vegetables supplement the basic diet.
Families raise pigs to eat for special occasions or funerals.
Micronesians in the mountainous jungles of Kosrae and
Pohnpei hunt birds and deer.
Housing
The average family lives in a cement house with glass louver
windows and a flat cement or corrugated tin roof. The
traditional construction method, in which woven pandanus
mats serve as walls and partitions, is more common on outer
islands. In many cases, an extended family shares a
compound, with a small house for each nuclear family. All
the families in the compound share a cookhouse. Outer
islanders and remote villagers cook over an open fire, in earth
ovens, or on kerosene stoves. In state centers where electricity
is available, people often have rice cookers and/or electric
burners. The compound also has an open-air house for
relaxing, entertaining guests, and sleeping on hot nights.
Recreation
Micronesian youth enjoy basketball, softball, and volleyball.
Swimming is considered a sport only on Pohnpei. Local and
regional track-and-field competitions are popular. In their
leisure time, young girls on some traditional islands practice
weaving with banana or hibiscus fiber scraps.
Children enjoy playing at the beach and in the ocean. In
the evening, children often sit and listen to elders tell stories.
Adolescents enjoy listening to Western music and doing some
recording of their own. Television and videos are becoming
more widespread, though simply visiting and chatting remains
the primary form of entertainment for adults. As they
exchange news and stories, they often play card and board
games.
Traditional “women's houses” were gathering and living
places for menstruating women. They are rarely used today,
though “men's houses” still thrive in Chuuk and Yap. Men
use them to hold meetings, seek refuge from the afternoon
sun, socialize, and drink together at the end of the day.
Dating and Marriage
Dating and Marriage
Young Micronesians date discreetly, as any public display of
affection is considered inappropriate. Even establishing eye
contact is considered flirtatious. Nightcrawling, in which a
young man comes to a young woman's window at night and
invites her to join him outside, is one form of dating.
Traditionally, men in Chuuk would push elaborately carved
“love sticks” through the thatched walls of a woman's home.
She would know her caller by the carvings on the stick and
decide whether to join him. Today, men either approach the
window or prearrange meetings through friends.
Weddings
When a couple decides to marry, the two families discuss the
union, exchange money, food, lavalavas, or sakau (an
alcoholic beverage most common in Pohnpei), and the couple
is married. Only later does a simple church ceremony
formalize the union. Because most islands are matrilineal, the
man usually moves to the woman's compound.
The Arts
Weaving and woodworking are prominent arts. Mats for
sleeping and sitting are woven from coconut or pandanus
leaves. Some kitchen implements are carved from wood.
Woven wall decorations, carved wooden figurines, and shell
jewelry are now made largely for the tourist market.
Traditionally, Micronesians are highly accomplished canoe
builders, but the practice is becoming uncommon. Women
sew brightly patterned dresses and skirts on sewing machines.
On Yap, they use traditional looms to weave lavalavas.
A popular art form is the choral singing of church hymns
in four-part harmony. Choruses representing different
geographical sections, families, or age or gender groups
perform at holiday gatherings and church services. Young
Micronesians produce contemporary Western music using
Life Cycle
Birth
Many Micronesians do not hold a celebration for the birth of
a child until at least one year after the birth, a custom that
stems from a high infant mortality rate in past generations.
Milestones
Young people are considered adults at marriage, a turning
point at which a person must shoulder social obligations such
as involvement in communal work and traditional feasts.
Death
Upon a person's death, the entire village or island gathers at
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electronic keyboards and guitars. Micronesians also enjoy
traditional music and dance. Traditional instruments are rarely
used; music consists mostly of singing and chanting. Dancers
chant, stomp, and, in some cases, knock sticks together to
create the accompaniment for their performances. Men and
women do not dance together. The traditional songs are an
important method of passing oral history to succeeding
generations.
stone currency is still used in parts of Yap for major land
transactions. Yapese men once sailed outrigger canoes to
Palau, where they carved rai, or huge stone disks that
represented wealth. The greater the loss of life on the return
voyage, the higher the value of the disks.
Transportation and Communications
Internet Users (per 100 people): 20
Cellular Phone Subscriptions (per 100 people): NA
Paved Roads: 18%
Holidays
Christmas and Easter are marked by village feasts, games,
church services, and family gatherings. The Proclamation of
the FSM (10 May) and United Nations Day (24 Oct.) are
federal holidays. New Year's Eve is celebrated in some
Pohnpei villages, where loud singing, shouting, and
drumming can be heard throughout the night. The U.S.
Thanksgiving is an official holiday, but most people do not
celebrate it.
Field trip ships transport passengers and supplies to and from
outer islands every six weeks or so. They serve all states
except Kosrae. Motorboats ferry between islands within
atolls. An airport and shipping port operate in each state.
Small aircraft provide service to several outer islands and
atolls. The four larger islands have paved roads and some
improved roads with stone or crushed coral surfaces. Dirt
roads and paths are found on remote islands and villages.
Local travel is usually by car, truck, bicycle, or foot. On
smaller islands, people walk, although it is not unusual for an
entire island to share the use of one vehicle.
Each state has an FSM Telecom office connected by
satellite. State centers and some other areas have telephone
service. Islands are connected by shortwave radio for
emergency announcements and typhoon warnings. All
inhabited islands can communicate by two-way radio. Radio
stations broadcast in English and local languages. Television
is available on the main islands. Villages without electricity
usually have at least one family that owns a television set
powered by a generator.
SOCIETY
Government
Head of State: Pres. Emanuel Mori
Head of Government: Pres. Emanuel Mori
Capital: Palikir
The FSM is a constitutional federation, with governing bodies
at the national, state, and municipal levels. The president is
head of state and head of government. Ten members of the
unicameral Congress serve two-year terms, and one senator
from each state serves a four-year term. Congress selects the
president and the vice-president from among the four
senators. There are no formal political parties. The ultimate
judicial authority is the Supreme Court.
State governments also have executive, legislative, and
judicial branches. Islands and villages are headed by
traditional chiefs. In Yap, two councils (outer-island chiefs
and Yapese chiefs) have the right to review and veto
legislation that may affect local traditions. The voting age is
18.
Education
Adult Literacy: 89%
Mean Years of Schooling: 8.8
Schooling is available to all citizens from grades one through
twelve, but many students do not attend beyond eighth grade
because they would have to leave their islands. Churches
sponsor some private schools. Students who attend Jesuit high
schools in Pohnpei and Chuuk may continue their schooling
in the United States at Jesuit-run colleges.
Postsecondary schooling is available at the College of
Micronesia in Pohnpei. Extension campuses are located in
Chuuk and Yap. Students also attend schools in Guam, Palau,
and elsewhere.
Economy
GDP (PPP) in billions: $0.31
GDP (PPP) per capita: $3,000
The average family depends on subsistence fishing, farming,
and hunting. Breadfruit, coconuts, bananas, cassava, taro, and
yams are major crops. Most salaried jobs are in the
government or education sectors. Individuals earn some
money by selling copra (dried coconut) and handicrafts and
by running small neighborhood stores. Tourism and
commercial fishing add dollars and jobs to the economy. For
example, scuba diving has become popular in Yap, where
manta rays feed, and in Chuuk's lagoons, which are littered
with World War II shipwrecks. There is a growing garment
industry, often staffed by Chinese laborers. The FSM
economy relies heavily on U.S. aid.
The U.S. dollar (USD) is the official currency. Traditional
Health
In government hospitals, care is free to all residents. Trained
healthcare assistants staff dispensaries on outer islands and in
remote villages. A local air carrier provides medical
evacuation when necessary. Immunization against major
diseases is provided for all children.
Major health concerns such as diarrhea, nutritional
deficiencies, intestinal diseases, and influenza are related to
poor water quality and lack of medical resources. These
factors contribute to a high infant mortality rate. A growing
problem with diabetes and obesity is related to the influence
of a Western diet. Many people on outer islands respect
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massage therapy and herbal medicines for their healing
power.
AT A GLANCE
Contact Information
Embassy of the Federated States of Micronesia, 1725 N Street
NW, Washington, DC 20036; phone (202) 223-4383; web site
www.fsmembassydc.org.
Country and Development Data
Capital
Population
Area (sq. mi.)
Area (sq. km.)
Human Development Index
Gender Inequality Index
GDP (PPP) per capita
Adult Literacy
Infant Mortality
Life Expectancy
Currency
CultureGrams
Palikir
106,104 (rank=187)
271 (rank=186)
702
117 of 187 countries
NA
$3,000
91% (male); 88% (female)
22.71 per 1,000 births
68 (male); 70 (female)
U.S. dollar
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