Manit Day has been celebrated in the Marshall Islands and abroad since 1988. A national holiday marked by traditional songs, dances, weaving, canoe displays, food, games, and sports.
The word “manit” means custom, and this day honors the traditions, stories, and practices that shape Marshallese cultural identity. Often the whole week leading up to the Manit Day is focused on celebrating and preserving the rich cultural history of the Marshallese people.
It is a day of cultural education, ensuring that traditional knowledge is passed on. It celebrates the resilience of the Marshallese in maintaining culture despite change. It’s meant to strengthen cultural identity especially for younger generations growing up outside the islands.
Marshallese communities across the United States host community gatherings for the holiday. A relatively new Marshallese non-profit in Iowa, Ottumwa Marshallese Unity organized this year’s celebration for the growing community of 800 in rural southeastern Iowa.
Families gathered at the JBS Sports Complex on Friday afternoon to celebrate. The event featured remarks from local pastors, the Consul General visiting from Arkansas, and Chikin Melele’s managing editor. Each speaker emphasized the importance of understanding manit and living out Marshallese traditions, even far from the islands.
Guests of honor included representatives from the local pork processing factory, the local school district, the local Asian American organization, and Community 1st Credit Union. They wrapped up the weekend’s celebrations with a softball competition between teams from Ottumwa and Dubuque.
Ilo jeṃḷọkin, kōmej kaṃṃoolol Ottumwa Marshallese Unity bwe raar kōtḷọk Chikin Melele ñan kōdikḷọk aer video im bar jeeri. Kōmej kile President Jim Hisaiah im Lucy Bunglick im ro waan kamiti. Kab: Joann Konou (secretary), Jorrak Matauto (treasurer), and sports kamiti Marie Stella Amram Heine, Elisba Heine, Franklin Alberttar, Itika Bwijtak, Tatok Handyme, im Junior Kaisa.
Ilo aer enaan, kamiti eo ar kaṃṃoolol aolep ro raar kobtak ñan kōṃṃan Manit Day:
“Special kile ñan Ecclesia ko kajojo an riMajol iion Ottumwa in elaptata riKaki ro im ro korajeraer im baamle ko aer. Juon kile ñan bar office eo an Consulate eo an RiMajol ioon Arkansas elaptata ñan kōrā eo ekar itok kōn an maroñ eroñ kūr eo an Ottumwa Marshallese Unity. Kamoolol ñan Melanie kōn an bar eroñ kūr eo im kobatok im jibañ ilo bwijin men ko.
Kamoolol Aolep RiMajol ro ilo community in elaptata Team ko jān Dubuque Ottumwa, Team ko jān iion Ottumwa an kōrā im emmaan jimor. Ritto ro rekkar bok kuṇaer, ro rekkar jibañ kōmat ṃōñā, ro rekkar jibañ umpire, Luna Band, Sponsors im Donors, im ro jejjab maroñ ba etaer rebed ilo kamoolol kein im kile kein. Ej kab jinoe eo in ak elukun aiboojoj. Kamool Irooj ilõñ in aolep kamoolol.”
