PI00005752

In spite of the decline of traditional culture in post-war Pohnpei society, the ceremonial yam feast has been steadily succeeded by the young generation. This tradition will continue to change in the future, but its spirit will be maintained, constituting their pride as Pohnpeians in many generations to come.

PI00005724

Ceremonial Yam Feast To offer the "first fruits" of yam tuber cluster (kehi) to a section chief, men carry a kehi to the community assembly house (nahs), where the ceremonial feast will be held. A kehi is a large yam tied to a pole, to which bird's nest fern (tehnlik) is attached for decoration. This ceremonial feast is significant in Pohnpeian ceremonial life because people can use the whole raw yams in any feast after this, comparing with partial yams permitted to be used prior to it.

PI00005726

In the morning, men prepare sakau (kava) beverage to serve only to the high chiefs prior to a formal meal around noon. This sakau drink called ahmwadang is the royal prerogatives. They pound sakau roots with stones on a large stone slab. Sakau is a traditional drink with sedating effects consumed at ceremonial occasions in Pohnpei. Kava is also served in different forms on many islands in the Pacific.

PI00005734

Young people performing dances for entertainment in front of the community assembly house.

PI00005740

Large yams displayed near and inside the community house are redistributed. High chiefs decide whether they redistribute or retain them. Those yam tubers will be replanted for next year.

PI00005746

The largest sakau bush is designated as sakau en enihlap ('kava of the supreme god'). After cutting its branches, a part of it is tied to the rear-most central post called salidi en enihlap ('the supreme god's post to sit facing downward') of the community assembly house. This act is to honor the supreme god as the post is the representation of the supreme god. After a man delivers a speech in front of accumulated sakau bushes, the bushes are redistributed among high ranking chiefs in a pwekipwek procedure.

PI00005693

POHNPEIAN CEREMONIAL YAM FEAST Yam (kehp) is the pride of men on Pohnpei Island, Micronesia. Men put more labor to prestigious goods for feasts, especially yams, pigs, and sakau (kava), among which yams have the highest value to attain social status than other daily food crops. In addition to hereditary quality, achievements, especially contributions during the feasts, are an important factor for a man to gain prestige and higher hierarchical chiefly titles in Pohnpeian society.

PI00005725

High ranking chiefs and distinguished guests are adorned with head garlands (mwaramwar) woven with fragrant flowers and leaves.

PI00005732

At certain times during the feast, especially when people bring in their tributes in a procession to the community assembly house, mainly women dance in the ground-level area (nanpahpei) to express their joy and pride in their contributions to the chiefs.

PI00005737

Pigs are baked in a stone oven. Pigs roasted and placed in coconut leaf baskets are brought to the community assembly house.

PI00005743

Sakau (Kava) Drinking The final part of the feast is public sakau (kava) drinking called as pilen uhmw ('drink of stone oven'). Sakau bushes are brought into the community assembly house to be displayed in front of the high chiefs. Carriers produce a joyful atmosphere by shouting (kadekedek) and dancing.