Manit in Majol

Manit: Ej jela eo imaan tata—>>(Ma: ej imaan, from the beginning. Nit: jela, brainstorming/knowledge)

What is the meaning of MANIT?? Non-Marshallese describe MANIT as culture. Marshallese describes MANIT as more than culture. MANIT is the core of our being, the spirit in our walk, and our mannerisms. It is the way we authentically connect with our ancestors, heritage, and the essence of our being. Our culture is more than ornaments and decorations. It is the way we treat the ocean, the land, the air, the living, and the way we treat each living thing, the way we treat ourselves and especially our families. It is the way we honor the past, create the present and build our future= together.

Manit knowing who you are and how you treat your people. There’s a saying in Marshallese, “rojak maan im rojak kora eo rej drebij wujla eo,’’ meaning that the parts of the canoe are held down by a balance. There’s a part for the man and a part for the woman to hold on to the sail of the canoe. The canoe is the ‘‘manit’’ if either let’s go of the sail, there’s an imbalance and therefore the canoe is lost. If you lose your manit, you are like a person who will be searching for your identity. You’re like a visitor in a foreign land. That is why, we say, ‘‘kukki im komejojo ki manit eo,’’ hold on to your ‘‘manit,’’ hold on to who you are, your roots, your family, and share it so that others, especially your offspring will know how to find their way to their homeland.

Inoñ: Storytelling, folktales, verbally passing down knowledge

Inoñ is part of Manit. Language is a huge part of our Manit. Many of our elders would pass down their knowledge in stories, folktales, or verbal life lessons. People in western cultures would call these ‘‘bedtime stories,’’ but we emphasize oral storytelling’s connection to language arts and literacy. Typically, these stories are told in the evening when it is close to rest. The elders say that we don’t ‘‘bwebwenato, or inon,’’ during the daytime because then your head will get big and possibly explode from all of the stories or knowledge. It is a way to preserve cultural heritage, knowledge, and love for the community. It is a way for connection and an opportunity to educate and reflect on the ‘‘story.’’ The legacy that we leave is the lessons, we teach; the knowledge, we gain; and the action we implement.

Wujla/Korkor (Canoe)

A big part of Manit is the wujla, or canoe. Every part of the canoe has a name and a ‘‘story’’ to go with the part. The reason that the canoe is associated with Manit, is because the work that goes into building it involves the families and the community. While the elders are prepping it, there are those that carve it and build it, the women bring the food to nourish the carvers and create songs or stories about the canoe carving. Each tool, each person, and part of the canoe is turned into a way to teach future generations about the canoe. The canoe is connected to the land, sky, and sea. The metto, stick chart map, was the way the sailors would navigate their journey. There is a purpose to everything and everyone. It is best not to take anything or anyone for granted. That is why we should not take our Manit for granted, less it is taken away and lost forever. Sharing life and sharing it together is Manit.

The canoe signifies community and community events. 3 events that are significant are the birth of a child & their kemem (1st birthday), a wedding or union of a couple, and funerals.