wil. Cuitural and Historical Data A. Cultural History The Marshallese have had a long history of contact with foreigners of several nations. Each has left its imprint on the culture of the islanders. After Magellan discovered this part of the world in 1520, Spain slowly advanced her military, political, economic and religious control Pacific. But not until the 19th century were the Marshalls made a part of her vast imperial holdings in any formal weak, in the however, that an aggressive sense. Germany Spain's control was so had seized control of the trade and Marshalls late in the century. German administration established copra Although limited a encouraged production as public works an the development economic program was Marshallese culture was not a profound one. base for commenced, of the Marshalls. the impact on One important cultural change brought about by the Germans, however, was the cessation of the interisland warfare between chiefs seeking hegemony over the territories of their rivals. Japan seized control of the Marshall Islands in 1914 and in 1922 established a civil government under a mandate of the League of Nations. Under firm Japanese control the economy prospered for the first time. Thus, older citizens still remember the Japanese with some fondness because jobs were abundant and education, modern agriculture, improved fishing techniques, and modern communications systems were introduced. In 1947 the United States accepted a United Nations trusteeship for what came to be termed the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands. comprised all the former Japanese mandated islands, including This the Marshalls, which had been reconquered by American forces during World War II. Whalers, explorers, missionaries, and government officials -- all played a part in bringing about changes in Marshallese cultural practices. Cultural changes effected by the Germans, Japanese, and the Americans are evident today in all the islands of the archipelago. European clothing, Japanese cars, “American” food, constitute the most obvious evidences of the changed way of life of the Marshallese Marshallese Language, is alive and well, demands of a rapidly changing world. people. ‘Kajin Majol', the and is adapting itself to the The old Marshallese religious beliefs and practices are no longer in evidence nor easy to discover, but some of the old values still express themselves through the social organization and the death rituals.