td 2.
se
Description and History: 1526-1972
39
d food potential on Ujelang has made it necessary to import more
than might normally be required on Enewetak.66.67
conmodities
em jen jab inebata
jimite
bwe ankilan Anij.”’
‘Bul we do not worryfor it is the will of the Lord.)
ee cent ee ee
In this way Wasthe attitude of the people of Enewetak expressed, 68
LIVING ON UJELANG
A village for the people of Enewetak was constructed by the U.S. Navy
on the main island of the atoll. Figure 1-35 is a map ofthe atoll giving the
village location. A brush clearing program also had been in progressat the
time they arrived on the atoll. The coconut trees planted by the Germans
and Japanese still were bearing, and breadfruit and pandanusseedlings had
been brought in and planted.
Ujelang was provided a water system, including numerous rain
catchments, a church, a council hall, a school, and a dispensary. Supply
ships brought in tools, clothing, and food to supplement the meager
natural resources. There was, however, no U.S. official remaining on the
i
The people continued to practice nonintensive agricultural operations
while utilizing the environment extensively. Coconut was converted into
|
copra for cash sale, and consumer goods were purchased with the
‘proceeds. Interest payments were received from trust fund provided by
the TTPI. Rice, flour, sugar, canned meats, and other canned goods
originally were additions to the traditional Enewetak diet, but they hadall
become staple items over the years. Marine resources were extremely
important in the diet of these people, with fish, clams, lobsters, turtles,
and sea birds, as well as land animals (domesticated chickens and pigs),
continuing to provide the required protein. Coconuts, pandanus,
breadfruit, and arrowrootwerestill the principal vegetables used. Bananas,
papayas, and squash were not prominentin the diet because they did not
grow well in Ujelang (although better than on Enewetak).7!.72 Figures 1-
MN Nt AI,tstart oo
atoll, and there was no means of communication with the outside
world.69,70
36 and 1-37 show scenesof the village on Ujelang.
Perhaps the most profound effects of the experience of residing on
Ujelang have been in two directions, each related to the style of living of
the people of Enewetak. One was in the location of houses and the
relationship with other people. On Enewetak, family groups lived scattered
along the lagoon shore on watos running, in most cases, from lagoon to
ocean. On Ujelang, dwellings were close together and, aside from the area
immediately surrounding the house, the land appears to have been held in
common. 73,74
erences