People in the Marshallese community in NWA gathered on the basketball courts outside the Jones Center last Saturday, September 26, 2021. Everyone celebrated the end of Ṃanit Week together. With a generous sponsorship from T-Mobile, Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese (ACOM) hosted this community-wide event in recognition of M̧anit Day, the last Friday in September, a holiday celebrating our Marshallese culture. Ṃanit not only refers to culture and tradition but also the proud heritage of the Marshallese people. This is a time for us to remember who we are and where we come from.
People proudly wore their beautiful Marshallese dresses, shirts, hats, ṃarṃar (necklaces and ties), dede (earrings), crowns and deel (fans). Plenty of people were wearing custom print t-shirts too. People commented, “It was such a beautiful day to sit relax and enjoy the live music and everything else going on, delicious food from different vendors, entertainments, so much fun.” It really came together well. “Proud to be Marshallese.”
Marshallese community leaders opened the event and spoke about the importance of ṃanit in our lives. ACOM also screened a short video about the history of U.S. nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands as well as the history before and after. The Republic of the Marshall Islands withdrew from the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands in 1979 and established independence in 1986 negotiating a Compact of Free Association with the United States. Many people in the community can still speak directly to the impact of the testing on their home atolls. This as well as limited healthcare left out community more vulnerable to the ongoing pandemic. COVID-19 vaccines continue to be available events like this one.
The Marshallese in Northwest Arkansas know that the best way to celebrate culture is by coming together as one big family in our communities. There were several booths including “The Teal Grill” with delicious local and authentic Marshallese food made from Marshallese families in the Northwest Arkansas area. Families and friends enjoyed Marshallese donuts and rice lukor, fresh coconuts and fruit, and other Marshallese foods while listening to live music, including keyboardist Rick Albertter. A Marshallese youth group of girls performed a dance and wore beautiful Marshallese dresses with large flower designs.
Among the display of meto and amiṃōṇo (stickcharts and handicrafts), the women of ACOM demonstrated how to make pineep, or coconut oil. And, Tōlemour Youth performed a dramatization of the story of Lōktan̄ūr im Jebro. They also presented the Island Castaway Pageant, “Walking the Island Way.” Several young girls and boys modeled new Marshallese fashions with traditional Marshallese accessories. Ri pālle friends and parents of Marshallese children, one of whom participated in the pageant, were warmly welcomed. The night finished off with traditional dances, also known as the biit, performed by the First Marshallese Full Gospel Church and the Island Treasure Youth Group. Koṃṃool ACOM, Marshallese Consulate , KBE Annex, AenEmman, Tōlemour Youth, and KMRW!
Thank you to Tyler Norwood, Aaron Killingsworth, and ACOM for contributing to this post.
