Field Notes on Native Culture in Yap District
Field Notes on Native Culture in Yap District (Report). Colonia, Yap: United States Navy. 1947-01-31.
- Has attachment: File:9HXBKDV7.pdf
Abstract: "There were no drastic changes during the month in the degree and character of acculturation achieved. It is still difficult for the people of Yap to assimilate the fact that we are not here to exploit them and that we are really in earnest when we want them to assume the prerogatives of self-government.
The policy continues for encouraging retention and revving of indigenous custom insofar as they are not in conflict with Military Government regulations. Probably one of the most characteristic phases of Yap culture is the love for dancing. Today many of their dances are deep rooted from generations past and no one can give definite information as to their origin. Others have been borrowed from Ponape, the Palaus and the Marshalls. Still others have been devised in comparatively recent years, and by gestures and song depict the recent World War or other events of this generation.
To the casual spectator there is a marked similarity in the basic stops and gestures but they have specific interpretation to the people participate and every dance tells its own story. Another characteristic of Yap culture is the use of the Men 's House. During the Japanese time all but one of them were destroyed. Encouragement for reconstruction of these and even gifts of some material is the present policy.
Yap people in the main are polite , cooperative and friendly. Relations between them and the Americans continues to be excellent. Most of the chiefs are reluctant to assume the initiative in adopting any new plans or ideas but follow explicitly any American order. Reports toward promoting self government show some progress but it is very slow. For so many years Yap inhabitants have been given orders by outside ruler that they expect to be told exactly what to do and what not to do..."
