tions; narrow political loyalties; close
kinship ties; a cult of ancestors; and
leadership by chief. Differing degrees
of acculturation can be noted depending on contact with Spanish, German,
Japanese and American cultures.
Great differences in language exist
in Micronesia, although each island
language has a common MalayoPolynesian source. Nine major languages, with dialectal variations, are
spoken in the Territory: Palauan,
Yapese,
Chamorro,
Ulithi-Woleai,
Ponapean,
Kusaiean,
Mar-
shallese and Kapingamarangi-Nukuoro,
Some linguists add a tenth language,
Sonsorolese-Tobian
of Southwest
Palau. These languages are in everyday
use and most people know only the
language of their homeisland. In those
islands where the Japanese influence
was strongest many older people know
at least conversational Japanese.
Social Structure
A matrilineal society was common
throughout the area, except in Kapingamarangi and Nukuoro. The basic
political unit in the Central Carolines
was the local community, made up of
several lineages tracing descent from a
common female ancestress. Elsewhere
social organization was more complex.
In the prehistoric Marshalls, a number
of petty, warring and unstable feudal
states arose accompanied by stratification into several social classes. An
even greater degree of social stratifi-
cation developed in Kusaie, Palau,
Yap, and the Marianas. This reached a
peak on Yap wherefive of the original
nine distinct social classes are still
recognized today. Yap also dominated
a loosely organized economic-religious
empire which extended far to the east
in the Carolines. The people of Ponape
4
Population Movements
Before
Language
Trukese,
competed for social status through a
complex system of bestowed titles.
Much of the old pattern is still maintained.
European
contact
some
travel took place between adjacent
island populations in spite of vast
distances, social differences, and clan
wars. Yap islanders sailed their large
canoes to Palau to quarry the famous
Yapese stone money from Palauan
quarries. Other Yapese canoes regularly plied to and from Guam. Trading
voyages were made from the westcentral Carolines to the Marianas
where Yapese colonies apparently
existed. In the Marshalls, sailing trips
to the islands and atolls were made
throughout the area as well as to
Kusaie. Considerable trading, visiting
and, very likely, war raiding took
place.
After Japan assumed control of the
area, some displacement of local popu-
lation occurred. The Chamorros and
Carolinians on the islands of Saipan
and Rota were moved from their
original homes to settlements along
the margins of the Sarge Japanese
communities. During World War Il
extensive dislocation of the islanders
occurred. Where possible, the Admin-
istering Authority has returned dis-
placed islanders to the places they
considered to be home.
Resettlement of the Bikini and
Eniwetok people who were moved
outside the area of the Pacific Proving
Ground has
created problems
of
adjustment to the new environment.
Early in 1966 at their request, the
people of Ebadon and Arbwe Islands
in the Kwajalein Atoll returned to
their homes after living on the island
Part I—Introduction
”,