Yap Culture |
Religion
Catholicism is the unifying belief system in the Yap Island. Despite nearly a century of Christianity within the island, some believe in spirits and magic. They divide their traditional world into domains of spirits and humans. Female spirits inhabit the sea and threaten lives of fishermen. Male spirits inhabit the land, threatening the livelihood and produce of women gardening. Ceremonies Prior to Christianity, Yapese prayed to ancestors, breaking segments of mother-of-pearl shells as offerings. Believed there were sacred places on the island. These areas were cared by the traditional priest, who made offerings to the spirits of these places and divining the future welfare and politics within the area. Traditional ceremonies have been forgotten, but one still exists: the sitting dances, which provide a public drama of storytelling and recounting of myths. People have also borrowed standing and stick dances from other Micronesians. When someone dies, everyone who comes to the ceremony brings cigarettes, alcohol, money, or food to the mourning family. Members of the family prepare the body and wait for guests for three days. Funeral concludes with a Christian service and the deceased is buried. One month later the members of the family repay their guests by sponsoring a large party. |