Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands are renowned for stick charts that map ocean swells and for fine pandanus weaving across their atolls.

Nature & herbalism Textile & dress Building & habitat Music & dance

Knowledge in this place

Stick chart navigation

Stick chart navigation

Frameworks of palm ribs and shells that map ocean swell patterns and island positions for voyaging.

Nature & herbalism

Jaki-ed fine mat weaving

Jaki-ed fine mat weaving

Finely woven banana and pandanus fibre mats worn and exchanged as marks of status and respect.

Textile & dress

Walap outrigger canoe

Walap outrigger canoe

Fast ocean-going outrigger canoes with asymmetric hulls built for sailing between distant atolls.

Building & habitat

Roro chants

Roro chants

Traditional chants that record genealogy, navigation lore and the deeds of ancestors.