Central Carolinian Oral Narratives: Indigenous Migration Theories and Principles of Order and Rank

Alkire, William H. (April 1984). "Central Carolinian Oral Narratives: Indigenous Migration Theories and Principles of Order and Rank". Pacific Studies. 7 (2): 1–14. ISSN 0275-3596.

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Abstract: Analytical study of oral narratives from the central Caroline Islands examining their role in structuring social order, rank, and historical interpretation. The article evaluates migration narratives from Yap, Ulithi, Woleai, Ifaluk, Lamotrek, and neighboring atolls, comparing them to linguistic and archaeological models of settlement. Alkire argues that such narratives are systematically “tailored” to reinforce sociopolitical hierarchies, particularly the principle of priority of settlement and the dominance of higher-ranking islands such as Yap within the sawei exchange system. Recurring structural themes include sibling sets, quadripartite organization, and genealogical ordering used to legitimize land rights and rank. The study concludes that oral traditions in Micronesia must be used cautiously as historical evidence, as they function primarily as sociopolitical charters rather than objective accounts of migration history.

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MAG: 2603000411
OpenAlex: W2603000411