Yapese women dancers in traditional dress celebrating Yap Day

Yap Day is a legal holiday in

Yap State Yap State, also known in the Yapese language as Nam nu Wa'ab (lit. "Island of Yap") or simply as Wa'ab, is one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). The other states are Kosrae State, Pohnpei State, and Chuuk State. C ...

, one of the four states of the

Federated States of Micronesia The Federated States of Micronesia (; abbreviated FSM) is an island country in Oceania. It consists of four states from west to east, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosraethat are spread across the western Pacific. Together, the states comprise a ...

(FSM), held annually on March 1. It is a celebration of traditional Yapese culture. Common activities held during this time include competitions and traditional dances.

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 of the year because of its dryness. The event's name was changed to ''Yap Day'' in March 1979. 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. In 1999, Yap Day was held as a three-day celebration starting on February 28. This was reportedly to accommodate for the children's school schedule, though observers also noted that this also 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 dances, sitting dances, and stick dances. Activities also 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. As of 2001, a member of the Yap Women's Association served each year on the organising committee.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. In 2002, Yap Day was broadcast throughout the

on radio and throughout Yap proper on television.

Events

Yapese men dancers in traditional dress celebrating Yap Day

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

References

External links

Yap Day
on Visit Yap
Yap Day Festival, Micronesia
on

Pilot Guides ''Globe Trekker'' (sometimes called ''Pilot Guides'' in Australia and Thailand, and originally broadcast as ''Lonely Planet'') was a British adventure tourism television series produced by Pilot Productions. The British series was inspired b ...

{{authority control Public holidays in the Federated States of Micronesia Yap Festivals established in 1968 February observances March observances

History

Events

See also

References

External links