Description and History: 1526-1972
RADIOLOGICAL CLEANUP OF ENEWETAK ATOLL
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FIGURE 1-27. TYPICAL OUTRIGGER CANOE OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS.
FIGURE 1-26. A FAMILY GROUP IN THE MARSHALL ISLANDS.
settlement pattern of both communities was dispersed; residences were
one or a few of its largest islands. The second is a mobility that is
demonstrated by various extended fishing and collecting activities that
embrace every niche of the environment. For example, they have a
nonintensive form of agriculture in which regular expeditions are made to
all islands of an atoll to make copra and collect coconuts, breadfruit,
pandanus, arrowroot, and other vegetable foods in season. Clearing of
brush and planting are done during these visits. Marine resources are also
exploited, with a wide variety of marine animals being utilized. Special
The sociopolitical structure of the two communities was identical. Each
was headed bya hereditary iroij or chief, and succession to the office was
patrilineal. The chiefs directed the affairs of their respective communities,
arbitrated disputes, and consulted one another with regard to concerns of
the entire atoll and the total population’s relations with outsiders. The atoll
eggs, in addition to catching fish. Several species of birds are also captured
authority over one of the two domains. The domain of the Enewetak chief
located on separate land parcels and were scattered along the length of the
lagoon beach.?4
was divided into two geographical areas, and each of the chiefs had
expeditions are madeto collect shellfish, capture turtles, and gather their
began with the Islands of Kidrenen (Keith), Ribewon UJames), Boken
(Irwin), Mut (Henry), and Ikuren (Glenn) in the atoll’s southwest
as a food source. The Enewetak people may be expected to continuethis
community was situated primarily on Enjebi (Janet) Island on the
northern rim, and the other was located primarily on Enewetak Island
across the lagoon in the southeast quadrant ofthe atoll. The traditional
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western culture.2! The typical outrigger canoe of the Marshallese is shown
in Figure 1-27.
Historically,
the people of Enewetak have been divided into two
separate and distinct communities which were located on the two largest
islands of the atoll. Here ‘‘community”’ is defined as the maximum group
of persons who normally reside together in face-to-face association. One
.
they may remain strongly influenced in many ways by their contacts with
a
way oflife to some degree when they return to their home atoll, although
quadrant, extended counterclockwise around the atoll up to and including
Runit (Yvonne) Island, as well as Aomon (Sally) on the northeast rim.
With the exception of Aomon, the Enjebi chief's domain extended north
with Billae (Wilma) Island and extended
nit beginning
the atolls northern and western rim up to an
around
counterclockwise
including Biken (Leroy) Island.?2
Relations between the two communities and the traditional dispersed
pattern of residence were altered with the military invasion of Enewetak
Atoll in 1944. Because Enewetak and Enjebi Islands had been devastated
by the battle for the atoll, the U.S. Navy resettled all of the people in a