Yap Day

Yap Day is a legal holiday in Yap State, one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), held annually on March 1.[1]: 2  It is a celebration of traditional Yapese culture. Common activities held during this time include competitions and traditional dances.

Yapese women dancers celebrating Yap Day

History

In 1968, the Yap Islands Congress created Yap District Day to preserve Yapese culture. The date March 1 was chosen because it was considered the "most pleasant" season because of its dryness. The event's name was changed to Yap Day in March 1979.[1]: 3 

In 1990, Yap Day activities included running, bicycling, juggling, tug of war, coconut husking, and basket weaving. Five dances were also held. Most of these activities and dances were aimed at preserving the culture of Yap properly.[1]: 4 

In 1999, Yap Day was held as a three-day celebration starting on February 28. This was reportedly to accommodate the children's school schedule, though observers also noted that this coincided with Yap's tourist flight schedules. The opening ceremony was conducted almost entirely in Yapese. Different dances were held for the boys, girls, women, and men, including standing, sitting, and stick dances. Activities included children's cultural games such as target shooting or basket weaving. Booths around the dance arena represented the outer islands of Yap and international organizations such as the Peace Corps. Other booths sold food.[1]: 4–5 

As of 2001, a member of the Yap Women's Association served each year on the organising committee.[2] In 2002, Yap Day was broadcast throughout the Federated States of Micronesia on radio and throughout Yap proper on television.[3]: 37 

Events
Yapese men dancers celebrating Yap Day.

Each year a different village hosts the Mit-mit and provides traditional and Western food. Before Yap Day, the villages rehearse traditional dances, which serve as a mode of storytelling.[4][5] Outer islanders are prohibited from participating in dances, though they may attend.[3]: 36  Competitions include traditional tattooing, fresh produce contests, and traditional games.[4] The Yap Tradition Navigation Society holds an event where participants build and sail traditional canoes.[6] On the last day, the Yap Visitors Bureau hosts a welcome reception to honor guests who traveled to the island.[4]

See also

References
  1. Aoyama, Toru (2001). "Yap Day: Cultural Politics in the State of Yap" (PDF). Kagoshima University Research Center for the Pacific Islands Occasional Papers. 34: 1–13. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 14, 2016.
  2. AoYAMA, Toru. "Yap Day: Cultural Politics in the State of Yap." Kagoshima University Research Center for the Pacific Islands Occasional Papers 34 (2001): 1–13.
  3. Komai, Yoko (2005). "The Failure to Objectify Culture: A Lack of Nationalism in the Federated States of Micronesia". People and Culture in Oceania. 21: 31–38. Archived from the original on February 28, 2018.
  4. Dennis, Matthew, ed. (2006). Encyclopedia of Holidays and Celebrations: A Country-by-Country Guide. New York, NY: Infobase Publishing. p. 858. ISBN 9780816062355.
  5. Pinsker, Eve C. (1992). "Celebrations of Government: Dance Performance and Legitimacy in the Federated States of Micronesia". Pacific Studies. 15 (4): 29.
  6. Jeffery, Bill (November 2014). "The underwater cultural heritage of the Federated States of Micronesia". Asia Pacific Conference on Underwater Cultural Heritage. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
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