1326-197)
Descripuion and History.
'
PEOPLE
Most anthropologists are of the opinion that the Marshalls and other
of
stands of Micronesia were settled by people who migrated from the area
ancient
the
ng
Reflecti
s
ago.
centurie
Pacific
Indonesia into the insular
migration patterns in Oceania. the Marshallese language belongs to the
large Malayo-Polynesian language family which spreads from Madagascar.
through the Indonesian area. and across Micronesia, Polynesia. and most
regions of Melanesia. Physically, the Marshallese are relatively short in
stature and of stocky build. They have brown skin, brown eyes, broad flat
noses, straight to curly black hair, and sparse body hair. '8
According to their own oral tradition, the dri-Enewetak had alwayslived
on Enewetak Atoll before their relocation to Ujelang in 1947. Because of
the atoll’s isolated location in the northwestern region of the Marshallese
archipelago, the people of Enewetak hadrelatively little contact with other
people prior to the European era. As a consequence. the language and
culture became differentiated from those of other Marshall Islanders, and
the people no longer identified themselves with the others. Rather, they
think of themselves as a people who were separate and unique from the
islanders to the east and south. !9
The past and current accomplishments of the dri-Enewetak indicate
intelligence and qualities of ingenuity, self-reliance, and hardiness which
have allowed them to meet the challenge of the atoll environment, one
that is quite restrictive when compared to the high volcanic islands of
Oceania. Long before the advent of Europeans, the Marshallese had
developed a culture which represented a sophisticated adaptation to their
ecological setting. They were skilled navigators, an art which has largely
been lost with the availability of travel on the vessels of foreigners, but
they remain expert builders of sailing canoes and are among the world’s
best fishermen. To traders, missionaries, and the successive colonial
governments which have dominated the islands over the past century,
they have been quick to respond by learning and adjusting to each of these
outsiders. Today, they have achieved a good understanding of the
behavior and values of Americans, and several have distinguished
themselves in government and mission schools operated by Americans. *°
Figure 1-26 portrays a typical family grouping of the Marshall Islands.
ECONOMYAND POLITICS
Throughout the Marshall Islands the traditional forms of settlement
patterns and exploitation of the natural resources are characterized by
several general features. The first is that the people on an atoll reside on
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