The Traditional Navigation Society of Yap has opened a new Chapter in the history of traditional navigation as its two traditional canoes departed on another voyage to Palau at 10:00 am today, January 26, 2009.

A few dozen of people including family members, relatives, and friends gathered at the Marina this morning to watch the crews or wish them goodbye as they were preparing to depart from the Marina Pier.

The main purpose of the voyage to Palau is to re-enact the stone money expeditions that Yapese made to quarry stone money in Palau back in the 16th century.

The Mathow Maram is under the guidance of its master builder and traditional navigator Chief Bruno Tharngan of Maap and the Hokule’a is guided by traditional navigator and former Police Captain Ali Haleyalur from Lamotrek Atoll.

The crowd held a short ceremony this morning prior to the canoes departure.

An introduction of the voyage was made by the Traditional Navigation Society of Yap saying the trip had originally been scheduled to coincide with the Presidential Inauguration in Palau earlier this month but due to other circumstances had to delay it till today.

Chief Thomas Falngin of Rull gave blessings to the crews on behalf of the Council of Pilung while Chief Leo Racheilug of Satawal gave words of encouragement to the crews on behalf of the Council of Tamol.

Governor Sebastian Anefal who attended the ceremony to say farewell to the crews of the two canoes also thanked everyone especially the Chiefs and the Traditional Navigation Society of Yap for the hard work and effort to revive some cultural teachings in Yap which include the building of traditional canoes and traditional navigation. The Governor also said he is happy that in just a short time more and more young people are getting interested to learn the two skills.

The highlight of today’s ceremony was the acceptance of mission and departure by Master Navigator Ali Haleyalur who accepted it from Carlos Yarofaireg of Lamotrek and return the favor back to the navigators from different schools and asked for their blessings.

Haleyalur has accepted from Yarofaireg the turtle shell used by all the masts or different schools of navigation as protection against tornadoes, storms and other sea creatures that could destroy canoes. The turtle shell also symbolizes unity among the schools or navigators and their crews. A trip without unity among the schools or navigators from different mast or schools would never reach its destination safely.

Of the total 17 crewmen, 8 were crews the Mathow Maram and 9 were crews on the Hokule ‘a.

The crew of Mathow Maram is;
1. Bruno Tharngan
2. Vincent Figir
3. Edward Pasan
4. Mathew Chomed
5. Bernard Yoruw
6. Blaise Gaag
7. Nicolas Gamagag, and
8. Alfred Amthun

Crew of the Hokule’a is;
1. Ali Haleyalur
2. Paulino Gelaumai
3. Johnny Ratiglur
4. Rocky Saremaitig
5. Spencer Tafileluo
6. Johanness Hashigeluw
7. Rolan Halishilmal
8. Selvister Mailshy, and
9. Magnus Resemanglug

When asked as to when they expect to reach Palau, both navigators Tharngan and Haleyalur said that based on their estimate it could be as early as Wednesday, but it could move to Thursday if the weather will change while they are still underway to Palau.

Related articles:

Traditional Navigation Institute Prepares for Voyage to Guam

Traditional Canoes To Palau and Back Again

Traditional Canoe Rides Gaining Popularity

Yap Traditional Navigation Society receives donation from State Legislature

Yap Traditional Navigation Society