Extended Definition assignment

English Comp

10.02.20

Feeling of the Waves

Growing up I’ve always heard stories and seen plays of the great ancient Marshallese

mariners. These stories would be passed down from generation to generation. Traditional

Marshallese dances conveyed how these voyagers would sail out into the emerald sea attempting

to conquer each wave they encounter. Songs are still being sung about how Marshallese

navigators would sail from island to island. Ancient Marshallese mariners were regarded to be

some of the greatest navigators of the Pacific Ocean. Equipped with their outriggers, stick charts,

and their knowledge of the waves they navigated between the atolls of the Marshall Islands.

Sailing in between the atolls of the Marshall Island was no easy feat. Ancient Marshallese

sailors would use a technique called wave piloting (Langlois). Wave piloting is the art of reading

waves by sight and feel (Tingley). In order to learn this method, an apprentice navigator would

spend years with a rimeto, also known as master navigator. (Pacific). Apprentices would learn

special chants which taught them about courses in between the islands (Pacific). These

apprentices were also taught through these chants different reference points and what to expect

when they see different types of animals (Pacific). Wave patterns were what Marshallese

navigators relied on to know their location in the sea (Pacific). Wave piloting was passed from

generation to generation and was kept secret. Only a few select people were entrusted with this

knowledge. Chiefs of each island treasured this ability so much that they were willing to kill

anyone who didn’t have permission to learn of this navigational wisdom. With this intelligence

of the waves these ancient mariners were ready to face the sea and its challenges. Through rain

or shine, through sunny days and stormy nights, these mariners were able to navigate through

anything.

Ancient Marshallese people also used stick charts to make their way through these

islands. These stick charts were called (Pacific). The charts were made with sticks and cower

shells (Pacific). The sticks on the charts didn’t represent distance like a normal geographical map

would, but they represented wave and wind patterns (Pacific). Marshallese navigators used these

charts to study with and didn’t use them on actual journeys (Pacific). A seasoned sailor wouldn’t

need a stick chart because they would have already kept a log in their head of past journeys.

Stick charts were more for apprentice sailors and for them to learn about the wave and wind

patterns (Pacific). It’s incredible how these ancient mariners were able to pass through the

islands without the proper use of compass or even a geographical map.

Marshallese outriggers were essential for early Marshallese mariners. There were three

types of canoes that Marshallese people used. These vessels were made of breadfruit logs, ropes

of coconut fibers and a sail made from pandanus leaves (Pacific). There were three main canoes

that the Marshallese people used (Angelo). The first canoe that Marshallese sailors used was

called a Walap which was a big canoe and was used for voyaging between the atolls (Angelo).

The second canoe was a medium sized canoe and was called a Tipnol (Angelo). The Tipnol was

used for sailing and also used for fishing (Angelo). The smallest of the three canoes was used for

fishing and sailing within the lagoon. This canoe was called a Kurkur and could only seat one or

two people (Angelo). The canoes that ancient Marshallese mariners were using were considered

to be some of the technologically advanced canoes (Pacific). The asymmetrical hull, outrigger

shock absorption system, and the double fronted hull were what made these canoes so ahead of

their time (Pacific). These vessels allowed them to push boundaries and explore outside of their

atolls.

Sailing was and is still a big part of the Marshallese culture. Nowadays a part of

Marshallese culture pertaining to navigation is lost. There are efforts to try to bring the old ways

back way with annual boat races. Navigating isn’t practiced widely in the islands the Marshall

Islands but they still try to preserve the culture through dances, songs, and chants. Stories that

were told to me from my elders I will always cherish. I will also do my due diligence and pass it

down to my kids. I hope they will love to hear of the great navigators of the pacific.

Works Cited

Angelo, Jasper. “Wa Kuk Wa Jimor – Marshallese Canoes Today.” YouTube, commentary by Rachel Miller https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUxdB0S6cz8

Langlois, Krista. “Science and Tradition Are Resurrecting the Lost Art of Wave Piloting.” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 2 Feb. 2016, www.smithsonianmag.com/arts- culture/science-and-tradition-are-resurrecting-lost-art-wave-piloting-180958005/.

Pacific Storytime Cooperative. “Canoes of the Marshall Islands.” Youtube.com, commentary by PRELhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHYCdKFOHIA&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=Iw AR3J8Tz7xOnDkQXjCAjqwYavwJ1yojC9bef35lyF_h1lXPpR-E7vV3dPeN

Tingley, Kim. “The Secrets of the Wave Pilots.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 17 Mar. 2016, www.nytimes.com/2016/03/20/magazine/the-secrets-of-the-wave-pilots.html.