Canoe Festival

We didn’t have school on Friday because it was the 1st annual canoe festival. We went first thing that morning and saw some canoe races and also a traditional bamboo stick dance done by a village. All those who were in the dance had the traditional dress on. There were many booths where you could buy things and see how local things were made. Unfortunately a lot of the demonstrations were held on Saturday and we did not go in on that day. There were booths that had woven things made out of coconut leaves and also a booth that demonstrated how the outer island skirts were made out of either thread or banana tree fibers.

The Senior’s had a booth the sell refreshments to race money for the class. I think they made a thousand dollars which is amazing! The people here are very proud of their culture. It’s interesting because during one part of the festival the governor was on the stage and was explaining that Yap is one of the only places left in the world that still practices many of it’s native customs. The dances consisted of a lot of chanting and spinning and hitting bamboo sticks together. It was so fascinating to see. I wish I could post a video of a dance but it would take up a lot of money and time to load it.