The Marshallese Educational Initiative (MEI) celebrated the start of M̧anit week by sharing the Marshallese culture with the people of Fayetteville, AR. MEI and the Fayetteville Public Library partnered to bring us this two-part cultural event last Saturday, September 19 2021. Programming included a cultural performance in the Event Center followed by a children’s craft activity and storytelling.
M̧anit Day, part of the annual cultural festival Lutok Kobban Alele, is an observed holiday in the Marshall Islands celebrated on the last Friday of September. The alele, a handmade basket made from the green leaves of the pandanus tree, is a treasured item that contains a family’s most valuable possessions and by tradition is passed through the generations to the oldest girl. To celebrate this year, the US embassy in the RMI invited Facebook friends to participate in a video contest, My Culture, Aō M̧anit. The winners will be announced on September 24, M̧anit day — the top two prizes are an Olympus waterproof camera/tripod and Samsung Galaxy tablet. The weeklong festivities conclude with an official ceremony, sponsored by the Alele Museum in Majuro.
M̧anit is the Marshallese word for the customs and culture, thus the purpose of M̧anit Week is to promote and preserve Marshallese culture. Like the refrain in a new music video released by Xander Pictures #RMI: Kōjparok Kajin in, Kōjparok m̧anit in, Kōjparok aelōn̄ kein ad. Keep this language, preserve this culture, protect our islands. There are so many ways to celebrate m̧anit day including making handicrafts, learning dances, singing together, and eating delicious Marshallese food just to name a few.
Celebrated the last week of September, M̧anit Day is the last Friday of the month. First held in 1986, the annual cultural celebration Lutok Kobban Alele marks the end of the U.S. administration of the RMI.
In the Fayetteville Public Library families safely gathered wearing masks to make amim̧ōņo, or Marshallese handicrafts, which are known for their high quality and creative use of natural materials. Some Marshallese handicrafts include jewelry, baskets, ties, fans and wall decorations. Children and their friends worked closely with Marshallese skilled in Handicrafts to create amazing work to take home to their families. After making Marshallese handicrafts, the families enjoyed hearing stories of Marshallese sailing and island life as told by Reklem Aistr. The Marshallese Educational Initiative provided translation so that everyone could both understand the stories and hear them told in the Marshallese language. One of the participants commented saying that “I love the way the Marshallese language sounds.” Celebrating M̧anit Day with the Marshallese people brought out the joy of families getting together on a Saturday morning. M̧anit Day is not just a day about culture, but also a day about family.
Thank you to Tyler Norwood, our newest reporter based in NWA.