Abstract
This chapter examines the importance of indigenous scholarship in the Micronesian region. The authors assess education, in particular graduate students' Master's theses in the Micronesian Studies Program at the University of Guam. The University of Guam is the only four-year university in the region, offering undergraduate and graduate programs. One of the main objectives of the university is research contribution to other two-year colleges in the region, such as the College of the Marshall Islands and the College of Micronesia, Yap State Campus. The importance of indigenous knowledge, the art of researching, cultural preservation, indigenous research methods, educational responsibilities, and imposter syndrome among UOG undergraduate students are discussed throughout the chapter, noting that education should be seen as an agent of social change by promoting indigenous scholarship, indigenous research methods, indigenous languages, sense of identity, and putting forth significant contributions to the academic literature of Micronesia.
TopBackground: Education And The Art Of Researching
Micronesia is an enigma. As a geographic region it encompasses an area larger than the continental United States yet makes up only about 1200 square miles - 392 sq. mi. for Guam and Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas (CNMI) (Goworowska et al., 2015, p.13) and 833 sq. mi for rest of Micronesia (UNFPA, 2014, p.4), when all seven political entities are added together (Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, the Federated States of Micronesia, The Republic of Palau, the Republic of Kiribati, the Republic of Nauru, and the Republic of the Marshalls). The region is comprised of high volcanic islands such as Guam, Saipan, Yap proper, Pohnpei, and Kosrae, along with numerous low islands atolls and reefs. The atolls are believed to be ancient volcanic islands which have since subsided below sea-level and had fringing reefs grow up to create atolls and islets.
Demographically all Micronesia’s Population is 296,000 (UNFPA, 2014, p.4) while Guam and CNMI 168,000 and 53,000 respectively (Goworowska et al., 2015, p.11) for a total population of only 517,000. The Micronesian region is made up of multiple ethnic groups who settled in multiple waves of migrations. The earliest groups to settle the region were the ancestral CHamoru who settled the Mariana Island chain over 5,000 to 3,500 years ago. It is also believed that a second group may have migrated from the Islands of South East Asia (ISEA) and settled with the original CHamoru 1000 years ago (Vilar et al., 2013, p. 121). It is believed that separate groups settled Yap and Palau after the settlement of the Marianas, with all three groups having migrated out through what are today the Philippine and Indonesian archipelagos. These three groups - the CHamoru, Yapese, and Palauans all have separate languages, along with another thirteen distinct languages spoken across the region. This indicates the huge cultural and ethnic diversity that exists there (Kiste et al., 2021).
Key Terms in this Chapter
UNO: Medicine.
Mour: Uterus.
Ri-kakurae: Practitioner.
Rañrañ: To warm oneself by the fire.
Men ko bwinnid: Our cultural heritage.
Kodda: A wet spot size of a quarter from vaginal discharge.
Ri-uno: A healer.
Ka-manit: To act appropriately.
Mo: Taboo.
Kein jijot: Herbal douche for vagina.
Adimejmej: Lethargy.
Maan pa or Maan Peio: Gift; token of appreciation.
Kakurae: Marshallese postpartum practice.
Baaj: Biscuit tin size of a bucket, used for boiling water.
Kein Irir: Scrubber made from coconut fiber.
Nin: Noni fruit.
Lutok lak uno: Draining out treatments.
Bokwarijot: Medicinal herbal scrub.
Ri-allok: Someone who can chant to connect the spirits to effect a cure.
Bwebwenato: Talk; conversation; story; history; article; episode; lore; myth; tale.
Bobo: Massaging of the uterus to restore health after delivery.
Ri-Katak: An apprentice.
Ejerata eo ejjelok jinen: How unfortunate are those without mothers.
Bwinnid: Cultural heritage.
Ri-kemmour: Midwife.
Jem e pein: To sharpen or strengthen the healing hands of a practitioners; this is an act of gratitude.
Koñe: Ironwood tree.
Uno in bobo: Medicinal treatment for the uterus.
Ekajookok: Shameful.
Ajiri in jabbon talao: Refers to a child whose mother has spoiled her treatment.
Kajejtokjen: Neglect; disregard.
Mantin etto eo ne: Old traditions.
Ri-pitpit: A masseuse.