Cultural Day 2006

I’m not really sure that pictures can capture it, but you can try if you want….(AJ uploaded several on his blog site if you want to check them out – go to the top of the page and click on his link) Words still fall short of capturing it and thus I apologize that the following is nothing more than a string of incoherent thoughts……Micronesian culture at its finest. Micronesian National Anthem…. “Across all Micronesia join hands on every side..” Dances that transform a student who has yet to utter a complete sentence in my class into a belligerent war general. Bare asses minimally covered by a radiant red thuu with two sinewy legs poking out from either side of the loin cloth – whose horsepower is not to be underestimated when shaking the concrete walls of Calligan Hall. Poorly tied thuus. Barefeet. The glow of coconut oil on glistening bodies artificially tinted yellow. 19 diverse faculty members ungracefully, yet proudly pay tribute to the Chuukese culture. Authentic foods. Authentic handicrafts that make the average person marvel at the infinite number of uses for a single coconut leaf. Pride. Native tongue. Unity. Inclusion. War paint. Headdress. Coconut bras. Status. History. Long hair. Flowers. Kimonos. Fertility dances. Mosquito dances. Banging. Shouting. Chanting. Singing. Slapping. Whistling. Thrusting. Stomping. Drumming. Wooden trashcans. Sticks. Ceremony. Family. Sakau pounding. Breadfruit pounding. Leadership. Absorbing. Appreciating. Showing off. Flags. Deference. Submission. Aggression. Passion. Thunderous applause.