PROJECT REPORT
Project Title: An intensive Ethnographic Survey on Traditional Leadership in Pohnpeian Culture
Grant Number: P20AF00012
Area Affected by Project: Pohnpei
Program Area: Ethnographic Survey, Education/Outreach
Total project Cost: $10, 400
PADB #: PO-20-10002
Federal Share: $10, 400
OBJECTIVE: TO CONDUCT A RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY ON POHNPEI CULTURE ON POHNPEI ISLAND IN THE SURVEY AND INVERTORY PROGRAM AREA AND PROVIDE A FINAL REPORT.
The Pohnpeian traditional/cultural way of life is truly unique, especially when a project involves the Nahnmwarkies which is the main purpose of this project. So before launching this project the Pohnpei HPO including the Chief and all the staff, and also some of the Board members humbly visited the royal Nanmwarkies of all the five municipalities first approaching with a sakau ceremony prepare by the staff of HPO, and a respectful introduction of the purpose of the project was done by the Chief of Pohnpei Historic and Preservation, or an assigned staff. Listed below are the specific Date that the HPO staff and board members visited each of the Nanmwarkies.
Uh Municipality – February 21, 2023
Pohnpei HPO Staff and Chief Minister of U municipal Government.
Kitti Municipality – February 22, 2023
HPO Staff, including the Chief of Pohnpei HPO.
Sokehs Municipality – March 23, 2023
Chief of Pohnpei HPO and all staff
Nett – March 15, 2023
HPO Staff and the Chairman of the HPO Board Mr. Victorino Victor.
Madolenihmw Municipality – March 17, 2023
HPO Staff, Chief, a and Mr. Masao Silbanuz Board Member.
Since all the Nanmwarikies of all the five municipalities gave us their consent with the authority to launch this project in their Municipalities, the HPO staff under the supervision of the Chief start our survey by interviewing the four interviewees from each of the five municipalities as recommended or appointed by the Nanmwarkies. During these seminars the HPO staff interviewed the interviewees from all the five municipalities on different dates and record every detail of them orally listing all the traditional Nanmwarikies sequencing from the first Nanmwariki till the present and a little detail of each of their era’s. Also as reflected in our record we have the story behind two historical sites as agreed by the four appointed interviewees of each municipality. So listed below are the Time and Date of the recorded interview or seminars and also the names of the four interviewees from each respectful municipality.
Madolenihmw Municipality – June 08, 2023
Masao Silbanuz – Interviewee
Ihper Mihkel – Interviewee
Mariuch Alexander – Interviewee
Peltin Hebel – Interviewee
Kitti Municpality – June 20, 2023
McGarry Mihkel – Interviewee
Eneriko Peter – Interviewee
Esdakio Deres – Interviewee
John Ioakim _ Interviewee
Sokehs Municipality – June 21, 2023
Herculano Kohler ( Nahnpwutak Pikeniap, Nanmwariki en wein Sokehs) -Interviewee
Mariano Martin -Interviewee
Welber Walter (Pwoudlepen Palikir) – Interviewee
Hilario Jack ( Iso Nahnkiken en wein Sokehs – Interviewee
UH Municipality – June 30, 2023
Robert Selestine – Interviewee
Mihkel Bernardo – Interviewee
Joseph William _ Interviewee
Welber Helgenberger (Lepenmoar UH) -Interviewee
Nett Municipality – July 21, 2023
Schlider Edgar – Interviewee
Mariano Hallens – Interviewee
https://hpo.pohnpeistate.gov.fm/rulers-before-1836/