ETHNIC ART INSTITUTE OF MICRONESIA

The Ethnic Art Institute of Micronesia, a non-profit organization, was established on the Island of Yap, Micronesia in 1994 by the Robert Gumbiner Foundation.  The Institute is dedicated to reviving and recreating the indigenous art of Micronesia.

Of the three principal Ethnic divisions of the Pacific, Micronesian Art is less familiar (or unknown) to most individuals, and there are few collectors.  Polynesian and the Melanesian art forms are far greater known and more popular.  Nevertheless, Micronesians have achieved impressive art forms that were both functional and spiritual, and the Ethnic Art Institute of Micronesia is dedicated to preserving it for future generations. 

Micronesian art began to fade after European contact was made in the islands, with new material goods being introduced (metal pans, bowels and buckets).  Older spiritual rituals gave way to new religions.  By the 1990’s Micronesian art had declined to the point of virtual extinction, not only to the outside world but by the indigenous population as well.

The Ethnic Art Institute of Micronesia, through its research program, has stimulated a revival of interest in the traditional and folk art of the region.  Information from elders, along with research in museums and private collections has provided a base of information.  A majority of the examples, particularly of carving, are the result of the German Kramer Expeditions between 1889 and 1910.  Our advisory staff (Donald H. Rubinstein, Ph.D. and Jerome Feldman, Ph.D.) has visited German museums to research these items and published a book "The Art of Micronesia".  This has resulted in work that is contemporary yet very Micronesian in essence, with local artists reviving the arts of their ancestors by using traditional materials and pigments and promoting the traditional forms.

The goal of the institute is to continue to research and to preserve and revive this art by producing examples of traditional Micronesian art forms.  It is hoped that this will provide a base of knowledge for local artists to apply in their own artistic expressions.  The Institute has expanded to include chants, dances, weaving, pottery, plaiting, sculptures, baskets and navigation.

Currently, the Ethnic Art Institute of Micronesia is housed in a cluster of traditional thatched houses in a garden setting on the grounds of Traders’ Ridge Resort on the Yap Island.  This small village includes a traditional Men’s House Carving House and an ethnic dance platform in a natural amphitheater.  The public is invited to dance performances and carving demonstrations.

At the Institute, native artisans learn to produce traditional Micronesian art forms using only materials and techniques used by their ancestors. Objects are hand carved from the few types of woods found on the Islands, primarily breadfruit and hibiscus, and decorated with geometric designs painted in natural clay pigments. Other materials might include banana fiber, stingray spines, coral limestone and coconut palm leaves.

Whether serving to communicate with the spirit world or utilitarian in nature, objects of Micronesian art reflect the underlying complexity of island culture and the people who inhabit Oceania.

Tropical weather and safety at sea were of great concern to the island-dwelling, sea faring people of Micronesia. Much of the art they created served as a symbolic link to the spirits, deities and ancestors who influenced these aspects of life. The Tapuanu Mask was worn by weather magicians who warned off storms and typhoons (especially those brought on by the wind god, Fangileng, who endangered the year’s breadfruit crop), by singing sacred chants as they stood on the beach facing the storm. The TapuanuIdol, a spirit effigy wearing the “Tapuanu Mask,” received ritual offerings at the time of the ripening of breadfruit. Other spirit effigies were the Tino Figure, a guardian of dwellings, and the so called Monkey Man, probably an ancestor image, whose multiple functions included protecting the family of the deceased or accompanying the dead to their sea burials. The “Hos,” or Weather Charm, was festooned with consecrated, knotted palm leaves and associated with the safety of canoe voyages. Navigators manipulated the janus-faced effigy in such a way was to influence benevolent wwater spirits to divert storms from their canoes. A charm with a cut-out design in the from of two birds facing each other, the Canoe Prow Ornament served as protection or to guarantee success in warfare at sea.

Islanders also paid homage to the spirit world in their structures and dwellings. The Silukai Figure, at the top of the front gable of the eastern-facing bai, or men’s meeting house, greeted the first fertile rays of the rising sun. The spirit house, or “amalau,” housed the most important idols and was the site of sacred ceremonies. The most important item in the spirit house was the Spirit Bowl, which contained sacred items and was not to be opened. The lid was designed such that it could not be opened casually.

Micronesians made highly prized decorative objects for utilitarian use. Decorated bamboo Tobacco Boxes, which held the tobacco introduced by the Spanish, were carried in hand baskets along with betel nut, a mild stimulant chewed by the Yapese. For the elderly and others with missing teeth, the Tuguw was a mortar and pestle for pulverizing betel nuts so they could continue to enjoy this island pastime. Tattooing, which served as a mark of high standing within society, as well as for ornamentation, was done with Tattoo Instruments that consisted of a comb made of bone and a bird shaped striker. To hold the canoe paint used by Yapese artisans, Bird Paint Pots were suspended from ceiling rafters. The Circular Door Hook was tied to an interior cross beam in the men’s house to hold open a door or window panel.  There are many other interesting artifacts used by the Yapese located on the Ethnic Art Institute grounds.

The Ethnic Art Institute of Micronesia sells all their woodwork and carvings in the hotel gift shop. These find pieces of revived art are also available by calling: 1-877-350-1300.