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Yap Day, Micronesia
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Yap Day, Micronesia
Yap Day is a statutory holiday in the state of Yap, one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), celebrated annually on March 1. It is a celebration of traditional Yapese culture. Common activities held during this period include competitions and traditional dances.
In 1968, the Yap Islands Congress established Yap District Day to preserve Yap culture. The date March 1 was chosen because it was considered the most "pleasant" season of the year due to dryness. The name of the event was changed to Yap Day in March 1979.
In 1999, Yap Day was celebrated as a three-day celebration starting on February 28. The day was reportedly for a children's school program, although observers also noted that it also coincided with Yap's tourist flight schedules. The opening ceremony was performed almost entirely in Yapese. Various dances were performed for boys, girls, women and men, including standing dance, sitting dance and stick dance. Activities also included children's cultural games such as target shooting or basket weaving. Booths around the dance floor featured Yap's outer islands and international organizations such as the Peace Corps. Other stalls were selling food.
Why do they celebrate Yap Day?
History. In 1968, the Yap Islands Congress created Yap District Day to preserve Yapese culture. The date March 1 was chosen because it was considered the "most pleasant" season of the year because of its dryness. The event's name was changed to Yap Day in March 1979.
What is Yap culture?
Today's Yap culture is a mix of ancient traditional values and the modern world. Yapese people are living in two time periods simultaneously by working in 21st Century offices while preserving their culture, traditional lives and values at home. See how the ancient and the broadband worlds mix.