JEKERO: Symbolizing the Transition to Manhood in the Marshall Islands

n sae o Mcoei. n cue f hs polm hs en trbtd o ls of loss a to attributed been has "problem" this of cause One Micronesia. of states ing

meaningful roles, especially for men, due to increasing urbanization and "westernization" and urbanization to increasing due men, for especially roles, meaningful hr taiinl g-eiig ciiis r ot Aeadr 98 a ecie sc a such (described has 1978) Alexander lost. are activities ego-defining traditional where tt o aoi fr e i te irnsa get kon s by, wjli Atoll, Kwajalein Ebeye, as known ghetto Micronesian the in men for anomie of state asal sad. h dciig ef mg ad nrae nachls ad ucd there suicide and alcoholism in increase and image self declining The Islands. Marshall results not only from an absence of meaningful masculine activities but also from negative from also but activities masculine meaningful of absence an from only not results ef osrcs eie fo cmaios ih aaen se, lxros American luxurious a islet, K wajalein with comparisons from derived constructs self iiay ae ul o lae ln ls ta to ie ars te aon Mc Marshall Mac lagoon. the across miles two than less land leased on built base military

17)hsntdteeitneo aallpolm nMe, cnmc n oiia cen- political and economic Moen, on problems parallel of existence the noted has (1979) e fTu, eeae Sae fMcoei. iia sneo ilsns can aimlessness of sense similar A Micronesia. of States Federated Truk, of ter n lg, auo Mrhl Ilns oenetl etr ad a bgn o eeo on develop to begun has and center, governmental Islands Marshall Majuro, Uliga, in nwtk tl, hr ms jln/nwtk epe aelvdsne 1980. since lived have people Ujelang/Enewetak most where Atoll, Enewetak

nesian males in urban settings urban in males nesian

ie(emne ccnt od) oibbn i eradbtldhr lqo, loo con- alcohol liquor, hard bottled and beer in imbibing to toddy) coconut (fermented wine upin a be a atvt o cnieal cneune o asals mn Mar- men. Marshallese to consequence considerable of activity an been has sumption shall's Truk study shows that drinking, like warfare of yesteryear, has become a signifi- a become has yesteryear, of warfare like drinking, that shows study Truk shall's ateodfnn usi fmno on Smlry aeil fo jln tl, where Atoll, Ujelang from materials Similarly, Moen. menon of pursuit ego-definingcant

Enewetak/Ujelang people resided from 1947 until 1980, indicate the importance of drink- of importance the indicate 1980, 1947 until from resided people Enewetak/Ujelang

upin fte looi bvrg kon as known beverage alcoholic the of sumption on a' rniin nomnod i h ae 7', oou tdy auatr and manufacture toddy coconut I 970's,late the in manhood; into transition man's young n i salsig n poliig ml' iett. n jln, rprto ad con- and preparation Ujelang, On identity. male's a proclaiming and establishing in ing s are tesmoi wih ftaiinl auain ceremonies. maturation traditional of weight symbolic the carried use

upino amwn yblzs h rniin omnodo jln Atoll Ujelang on manhood to transition the symbolizes wine palm of sumption

of toddy manufacture and the unifying actions of a drinking circle, provide one avenue boys follow boys avenue one provide circle, drinking a of actions unifying the and manufacture toddy of Abstract-This

allels

iesaig onwrdikn sye n unse acnet o nesadn rcn innovations recent understanding for context a furnishes and styles drinking newer to sharing wine

in their quest to be accepted as men as accepted be to quest their in

nteueo achlc beverages alcoholic of use the in

The consumption of alcoholic beverages is a major problem for many of the emerg- the of many for problem major a is beverages alcoholic of consumption The

This case study does not deny the obvious effects of a loss of role identities on Micro- on identities role of lossa of effects obvious the deny not does study case This

between

eatet fScooy Mnaa tt Uiest, oea, otn 597 I Montana Bozeman, University, State Montana Sociology, of Department

JEKERO:

toddy

nhoooia aayi o coconut of analysis anthropological

production

Symbolizing the Transition To Manhood To Transition the Symbolizing

ARNE ASAL CARUCCI, MARSHALL LAURENCE

in the Marshall Islands Marshall the in

and processes of maturing which, along with training in processes in training with along which, maturing of processes and

Rather, it suggests that, from the first introduction of palm of introductionfirst the from that, suggests it Rather,

An historical consideration of toddy consumption links palm links consumption toddy of consideration historical An

Introduction

jekero

toddy

shows

ccnt od' cm t sgiy a signify to came toddy', 'coconut

o te rdcin n con- and production the how

Islanders draw par- draw Islanders

found .

Micronesica

The signifiers encoded cultural assumptions about

Historical Background

Kiste 1974). Administration of the atoll shifted from military authorities to

(cf.,

In the past 35 years, Enewetak Atollhas been the testing site for some of the world's

Food gathering and preparation, house construction, canoe building, clothing and

Acritical feature of linguistic and cultural signs lies their in productive capacity. The

Rites of passage from boyhood to manhood were one process sacrificed during the

Certain attainments are central to becoming an adult male or female; they are the

States relocated Enewetak people from their isolated homeland to nearby Ujelang Atoll. most innovativeand destructive devices. orderIn to test these nuclear weapons, the United residence patterns, land distribution, and in the social organization of the Enewetak com- istrative funds, combined with animosities between Marshallese officials and Enewetak The move to a much smaller and less-productive atoll resulted in significant changes in munity the Department of the Interior after yearsthe firstof residence on Ujelang. Lack of admin- people, left Ujelang residents in a state of social and physical isolation (Tobin 1967; Carucci 1980).The people felt they had been disowned. In their new location they did not As a result, Enewetak people on Ujelang had to maintain skills discarded on other atolls, haveaccess to many of theamenities to which folks from other atolls became accustomed

form specific life-sustaining activities clothes repair, were among the essential activities. Males and females, young and old, A set of commonly shared signs defined the appropriateness of having certain groups per- how and who should carry out various activities. performed each activity according to well-understood principles of conventional practice. missionary effort. Mission-trained Micronesians did not reach Enewetak until Japanese move to Ujelang was preceded byJapanese and German administrations and an American how they dealt with the world. In the process of cultural reformulation, new sorts of sig- times, but thestrict discipline they brought required Enewetak people to radically reassess just to survive. nifying relationships greatly altered, and likely expanded, the interpretations placed on into a house occupied by other agemates where he learned the proper "movements" of a activities and social relationships

past 75 to years. 100 Initiation once meant a young boy moved from his childhood home man. Activities of warfare, subsistence (fishing, throwing coconuts, bird catching), resi- dential andcommunity administration, andappropriate conduct love,in were all included. Formal initiation rites that freed young males from the constraints of their natal to be house- realized gradually. Maturity now involves the successive attainment of positions of holds were sacrificed when missionaries arrived. The process of becoming a man started high status and the fulfillment of increasingly important roles. As roles become more di- versified, concepts of person continue to change (Carucci 1984).

symbolic foci which define vividin detail what is itlike to bea particular kind of person in Marshallese culture. In one such event, a young boy goes through the training necessary and shaping other prized female goods. They also begin to receive the knowledge needed to make coconut toddy. Ujelang girls learn a corresponding set of skills-weaving to use and interpret the supernatural. mats A second core aspect of male maturity apprenticed a young boy to a canoe making specialist where skills critical to becoming a man were ere. h o ond h aln ru eddb i etradaqie alsil to skills all acquired and mentor his by headed group sailing the boy joined The learned. ul ad al urge cne. ihn h ps 2 er, oee, ao bidn has building canoe however, years, 25 past the Within canoes. outrigger sail and build been replaced by the manufacture of plywood motor boats. Outrigger canoe construction canoe Outrigger boats. motor plywood of manufacture the by replaced been

eae pcaie at kon ny omdl-gd n sno mn Tu, nte late the in Thus, men. senior and middle-aged to only known art, specialized a became

hlrnit h a' oan Tenx eto xlrstesrcueo hseet while event,ofthis structurethe exploressection next The intoman's thedomain. children h fnlcmet stae od dikn i h mr rcnl eegn faeok of framework emerging recently more the in drinking toddy situate comments final the

loo consumption. alcohol

90, aig oou tdy a te eta eet akn te noprto o male of incorporation the marking event central the was toddy coconut making 1970s, ae cuuae hnr ta rafr hs auiy Mkn ccnt od i fe the often is toddy coconut Making maturity. his reaffirm that honors accumulates male is mre t sprt a ot fo hs hlho. s uh i cris h symbolic the carries it such, As childhood. his from youth a separate to marker first eie utrly sptn, tas icroae advre ag o sgs f exclusively of signs of range diverse a incorporates also it potent, as culturally defined weight of the move boys made from their natal households into the young men's hut. men's young the into households natal their from made boys move the of weight

process that transforms an inactive drink, suited to family consumption, into an intoxicant an into consumption, familyto suited drink, an inactive thattransforms process

male endeavor. male

eutwe oe etr noteeshrs Wmno h pnsaotnbig death bring often sea open the on Women spheres. these into venture women when result to fetuses and danger to passengers and crew. Mature females in the open space above the above space open thein females Mature crew. and passengers to dangerand fetuses to at' srae per o otl e a wths n crir o spraua messages. supernatural of carriers and witches as men mortal to appear surface earth's jln eiet, h pn e n h k r ato h e' oan n iatr can disaster and domain men's the of part are sky the and sea open the residents, Ujelang o asrb, asn aam n oeta ebraset Sc a psd ldt man's to led episode an Such embarrassment. potential and alarm causing passersby, to

According to folk knowledge, women who venture into high places expose their genitals their expose places high into venture who women knowledge, folk to According

nta icvr fsxaiy Crci 1983). (Carucci sexuality of discovery initial rse h eea poiin ewe aeatvt n eaepsiiy Aohr com- Another passivity. female and activity male between opposition general the presses oet nerlts edr n ak Wiehg akn wmnmyb fhge status higher of be may women ranking high While rank. and gender interrelates ponent al wl sie t te ciiy f climbing of activity the to suited well larly ptes btmtr oe hudnvrd o sa xlsvl aeat lmig ex- climbing act, male exclusivelyan As so. neverdo should women mature but trees, up even show subservience to lesser ranked male relatives through the use of high status kin status high of use the through relatives male ranked lesser to subservienceshow even

phor for sexual activities. The metaphor is extended to the placement of the of placement the to extendedis metaphor The activities. sexual for phor hn nakd e, oe, vrl a lat dfr o e. ih akn fmls may females ranking High men. to defer least, at overtly women, men, unranked than

em. hnepesd nsail em, aeaoefml iaey sacmo meta- common a is imagery female above male terms, spatial in expressed When terms.

hoisted sail, and to males climbing freely above the heads of women. of heads the above freely climbing males to and sail, hoisted

of the fruit, to its consistency, and to the branching, easily-climbed, nature of the trees. the of nature easily-climbed, branching, the to and consistency, its to fruit, the of

and women. Breadfruit and pandanus each have female attributes which relate to the color theto relate which attributes femalehave each pandanusand Breadfruit women.and mns af or gaff' 'man's Coconut trees, on the other hand, exhibit typically masculine features. They are an impor-an are They features. masculine typically exhibit hand, otherthe on trees, Coconut at ybl f iiiy Ccnt ae h tlet re o te tl; hy tn aoe the above stand they atoll; the on trees tallest the are Coconuts virility. of symbol tant pandanus and breadfruit and they have no branches. In some contexts they are compared are they contexts some In branches. no have they and breadfruit and pandanus to the erect male phallus. Coconut trees are by far the most difficult trees to climb. to difficulttrees most the far by are trees Coconut phallus. male erect the to

ul copihet f aho tks eea yas uig hc a adolescent an which during years several takes manhood of accomplishment Full

Coconut toddy manufacture is an ideal metaphor of male initiation, for not only is it a only for not initiation, male of metaphorideal is an manufacture toddy Coconut

While women should remain earth-bound, Enewetak men are thought to be particu- be to thought are men Enewetak earth-bound, remain should women While

ifrne mn tpso re aeas ue oepes itntos ewe men between distinctions express to used also are trees of types among Differences

oou stems motn asals rdc;Eeea epecnie it cru- consider Enewetakpeople product; Marshallese importantmost is the Coconut

Talluii

rojiik

maan

iian

laii

frad af aoe the above gaff' 'forward

tngahc Background Ethnographic

cibn t h k' ste is tg ftepoes For process. the of stage first the is sky' the to 'climbing

o.2. eebr 1987 December 20. Vol.

(talluii).

rojiik

cainly on grs shinny girls young Occasionally

korii

wmns om o a on boom' 'woman's

rojiik

emaan

3 but also

the product of a

(wutak),

jekero,

to tum black. An inedible coconut of

(medi)

of just of pubescent boys, is

Micronesica

will boast that they have obeyed the prohibition

semen"

jekero

Women also cause wells to go dry if they use them during

"weaJc

kolombo.

Drinking coconuts, available during this period, are symbolized astypi-

an uninterrupted cycle ofcoconut growth, the liquid nourishes the inflores-

Toddy production deals only with that part of the cycle of coconut growth symbol-

Coconut toddy production place prior taJces to the appearance of drinking coconuts,

MaJcing toddy becomesMaJcing a suitable metaphor of male initiation, since the moment of

MaJcing coconut MaJcing toddy is surrounded with restrictions that mark the sacred nature

The presence of women with malintent commonly ruins the productivity of a tree

an over-simplification to say that coconut is simply a signifier of men engaging in male cial to the sustenance of life. the Yet uses of the coconut are quite varied and it would be pursuits. ized in masculine terms. All stages of growth after the coconut has reached maturity, but prior to the time the coconut falls from the tree, are represented as the masculine half of the growth cycle ways for women (Carucci 1980). The gelatine-like developing "meat" lining a drinking cally male food. Men harvest and process these coconuts. They prepare them in special metaphorically take on female characteristics. They fall from the heights, change texture,

coconut compared is to, and strengthens, semen. Once the nut has fallen to the ground and begun to sprout, it is no longer symbolized as a male food object. Sprouted coconuts the tree's reproduction). when the tendrils which support coconutsthe are enclosed intheir sheath come in contact with the earth (the female symbolized sphere), and begin to sprout (start growth as the tree supplies the tendrils with an abundance of sweet white liquid. This thin at a time when the bundled tendrils have begun to mature. The drinking coconut starts its syrup, compareditself to tapped tree.

existence as small drinking coconuts. The coconut growth cycle, itself a metaphor of gen- cence, eventually forcing immature coconuts to emerge from the spathe and begin der distinctions, their is further used to discuss a young boy's passage into manhood. initiation inthe life cycle of young males who are taught how to make toddy and tend the tapping the tree in the cycle of coconut development corresponds precisely to the time of

trees. Developmental parallels between trees and men allow traditional initiation rites to

duction and accompanying prohibitions shows the liminal character of the enterprise (Van be resymbolized through toddy manufacture. A detailed review of the processes of Gennep pro- Turner 1960; 1969) and indicates how each symbol is given meaning in its cultural context of use (Silverstein 1973, 1976). bidden, and experts in maJcing of the endeavor and separate it from mundane activity. Sexual contact with women is for- from the time they began to gather the materials necessary to tap a coconut tree until after the tree produces abundant liquid. Men also give up sexual relations with women ure if co- is the penalty for those who disobey the tabu. Falsely proclaimed abstinence may conut toddy production drops off, blaming the failure on their own lack of restraint. Fail-

cause a man to become the laughingstock of the village when toddy production decreases. tapped for coconut toddy. Magic performed is to counteract this danger, but the antitheti- souring the liquid or causing the soft meat menstruation. These mishaps indicate the negative relationship between female-controlled cal and destructive force of menstruating women or ghosts may ruin drinking coconuts by

this sort is termed rvdsasbtnilsuc fdikbe liquids. drinkable of source substantial a provides

oc n dikn-ls objects drinking-class and force

nwegbe r scesu i mkn ccnt od, n ms wo r, vn with even try, who most and toddy, coconut making in successful are knowledgable h ad f seils, ihr al r ae oet ucs. rcse o pouto are production of Processes success. modest have or fail either specialist, a of aid the hodd n erc; e wo irgr isrcin ad al o vi al agr will dangers all avoid to fail and instructions disregard who men secrecy; in shrouded

meet with misfortune with meet

coconut toddy, try to pry information from their mother's younger brothers younger mother's their from information pry to try toddy, coconut

fw xet cn eemn a oetal poutv te. on os egr o make to eager boys, Young tree. productive potentially a determine can experts few a

only after boys after only

est and allow them to brag about their expertise. Small amounts are contributed to subsis- to contributed are amounts Small expertise.their about brag to them allow and est

will point out accessible immature trees which young boys can try to tap for some syrup. some for tap to try can boys young which trees immature accessible out point will o hi pr, h yugby use hi poet wt ddcto, er sm crucial some learn dedication, with projects their pursue boys young the part, their For ehiusadrtr wt oe mut ftdy hi ml ucse egtn inter- heighten successes small Their toddy. of amounts token with return and techniques

tence and, through a display of knowledge or 'know-how' or knowledge of display a through and, tence

creasing maturity throughout a man's life (and even after death) after even (and life man's a throughout maturity creasing de ae nadee mrlcaatr rnfrig know-how transforming character moral deeper a on takes edge

act like men. like act

jli lokjen: (jelii tion of fermented toddy takes place under the tutelage of mature males, "learning to be to "learning males, mature of tutelage the under place takes toddy fermented of tion rn" n jln de nt eut rm iikn te cin o mtr mls (cf., males mature of actions the mimicking from result not does Ujelang on drunk" asal 1979 Marshall rn sle wie le mn peiey eas ter nweg i stae, should situated, is knowledge their because precisely men, older while selves drunk

eey Ayug o' gadahr mte' yugr rte, ra oe itn relative distant more a or brother, younger mother's grandfather, boy's young A cerely.

is thus expected of young unwed males who have not been tamed by society and who have who and society by tamed have beennot who males unwed young of expected is thus little control of culturally textured knowledge. textured culturally of control little

adept at toddy manufacturing will teach the youth to make toddy properly. After a review a After properly. toddy make to youth the teach will manufacturing toddy at adept drunk" be howto "know of precautions and prohibitions, the elder sends his trainee out to collect all required tools. all required to collect out traineesends his elder the and prohibitions, precautionsof Three or four containers are needed to collect toddy collectto neededare containers four or Three

once used, but nowadays bottles, ritually purified, serve the purpose. the serve purified, ritually bottles, nowadays but used, once

abstinence is recommended. Ideally, the ocean side of the islet at the windward tip of the of tip windward the at islet the of side ocean the Ideally, recommended. is abstinence atoll will provide containers. This location is symbolically suited to male objects in two in objects male to suited symbolically is location This containers. provide will atoll

senses: viewed as center and periphery, Marshallese see the outer reef and ocean side of anof side and ocean reef outerthesee Marshallese periphery,and as viewedcenter senses: tl a te ae yblzd pee uig h "aln cd" isl a pcaie Ian- specialized a itself code", "sailing the using sphere; symbolized male the as atoll

Women are one of many dangers to be avoided at coconut toddy time. Only the most the Only time. toddy coconut at avoided be to dangers many of one Women are

must watch it constantly, like a school of rabbit fish rabbit of school a like it constantly, watch must

those with knowledge. And if you don't know the procedure, seek out one who does. who one out seek procedure, the know don't you if And knowledge. with those

It is not for unfortunates but for those who think like men, it is not for know-nothings, but for but know-nothings, for not is it men,like think who those for but unfortunates for not is It

Most older men know which trees have been successfully tapped in the past, but only but in past,the tapped successfully have been trees which menknow older Most

h acmltos n hne i nweg aetesle aciia mr o in- of mark critical a themselves are knowledge in changes and accumulations The

When boys enter puberty enter boys When h isrco ioae suet n slce ojcs rm eae pollutants female from objects selected and student isolates instructor The

This

knowledge of proper modes of being). While the preparation and consump- and preparation the While being). of modes proper of knowledge

jekero,

tiave

116)

it is a difficult thing difficult a is it

matured

ned yug nare mls yial eat uncontrollably enact typically males unmarried young Indeed,

(jela

r hyalwdt a rdcie re. dlset males Adolescent trees. productive tap to allowed they are

[wiiween]

aue e tk ter neet i od pouto sin- production toddy in interests their take men mature

(lime-).

Vol. 20 Vol.

Like a baby it must be protected, like an like protected, be must it baby a Like

ttetm ftdy rdcin oou tree coconut a production toddy of time the At

eebr 1987 December

kadek).

Crazy drunkenness Crazy

avdccntselcnanr were shell containers coconut Carved

eurs oehuh adpann first. planning and forethought requires

(jelii),

into

the boys are allowed to allowed are boys the

ntepoes knowl- process, the In

iutd knowledge situated

(kadek im bwebwe)im (kadek

(rukora-),

ill

esn you person

Sexual

but

5 .

ap-

Evil If

is often

Younger

Only a few

But a tree only

ekwaal

The coconut con-

If the knife is used for other

or bitter toddy, one of the few who

excessively damaged by extracting

Most youth have a general idea how

and tucked away at the base of the

should never be used in food preparation

inebil

A circular cut is made at about two-thirds of

Micronesica

windward is a higher ranking direction than leeward

is thenis made to wrap the tendrils and secure the spathe after

the tree gives less, weak

Younger men show little interest in such arduous tasks

) Cutting) two or three spathes to findone suitable for toddy could

(ekwaal)

days

26-30

that will yield substantial amounts of liquid

every

Coconut sennit

A special knife must be found to cut the spathe and trim the tendrils of a toddy pro-

Once cord, containers, and cutting tools have been obtained, the lad selects a spathe

Mature spathes are selected so palms will not

After close inspection to determine acceptability, two or three fronds are removed

guage suited to male endeavors soy sauce) are often taken from symbolically polluted locations. Purity remains a consid- Flotsam is limited, however, and liquor bottles or large shoyu containers (l liter bottles of cluded well that is not used for tasks like bathing and washing clothes. Containers should their whereabouts. tapping a tree. Each man should manufacture his own sennit, but few under age 40 now eration, though, so bottles should be washed thoroughly in the ocean and rinsed be at hidden a in se- the bush so only those directly engaged in making coconut toddy will know men must use sennit made by others, thus increasing the sources of contamination know how to make coir magic, readily embedded in braided hair, the woven ends of baskets, or blamed for declining returns of toddy. To make sure the coir is free form defilement, a young boy's instructor frequently provides his twine. When a tree does not produce well, have been imbued with evil magic, even after its manufacture the sennit will be replaced. It could be too large indiameter, contain too many splices, or some extra coir, it is wrapped in gauze-like fronds, high above the reach of passersby and out of their gaze. A whetstone or fragment ducing tree. To ensure purity, the knife should not be used for other tasks. Along with purposes, it must be purified and resharpened. of pumice may be included to keep the knife razor sharp or for other types of "women's work". (wutak) the inflorescence develops, but they have not been allowed to tap mature trees. Nor do they know how to distinguish promising trees from those with little liquidMen who learned to collect toddy "on their own" simply select trees which have been experienced elders can teach a young man tojudge a tree's potential from its appearance know the look of promising palms will be consulted. toddy. A properly tapped toddy tree expels all of the syrup it would have directed toward good producers in the past. tinues tosend out new spathes which will develop mature branches of nuts producing a bunch of coconuts (from three or four to forty or more) produces about ten spathes each year, fewer if soil conditions or planting techniques are poor. (Murai, Pen, and Miller (1958] note that in the Southern Marshalls one spathe greatly reduce a tree's yearly production. The spathe should be cut as it spatheapproaches has begun fullto rive, the one just above it in the spiraling sequence of fronds will be pears length, but well before it begins to split along the bottom to reveal the inflorescence. about ready to cut. the length of the spathe and another about half way up the woody sheath. The cuts must from around the spathe to allow easy access penetrate the spathe without scarring the inflorescence. The tip of the sheath is moved up a up is moved sheaththe tipof The inflorescence.the scarring without spathe the penetrate e etmtr adtetnrl aect ihter-oe, ao-hr blade razor-sharp re-honed, the with cut are tendrils the and centimeters few etr eto o te pte si lntws, s ldu te edis a nuh o begin to enough far tendrils the up slid is lengthwise, slit spathe, the of section center

rpig hm ih ent A imbt o cntitn ci bnig elcs h center the replaces binding coir constricting not but firm A sennit. with them wrapping pte h rsl u n ftebudtnrl scvrdwt pcal ahoe strips fashioned specially iswith covered tendrils boundofthe end cut freshly The spathe. fccnt rn t rtc the protect to frond coconut of manufacture. This phase of phase This manufacture. (cf.,

the end of the spathe must be drawn downward with a length of sennit secured to a lower a to secured sennit of length a with downward drawn be must spathe the of end the oou fod A lat ne a, h cvrd nlrsec ms b timd n re- and trimmed be must inflorescence covered the day, a once least At frond. coconut nlsd opeettetnrl fo "healing" from tendrils the prevent to enclosed

en pi. Srnteig the "Strengthening split. being productivity may take place at this time this at place take may productivity pte utb et rdal t rvn h edis rm raig n h set from sheath the and breaking from tendrils the prevent to gradually bent be must spathe

il ei t poue usata qatte o lqi. h tne atce a container a attaches tender The liquid. of quantities substantial produce to begin will (jeib) end, is fastened under the oozing tendrils, folded alongside the protruding pieces of frond of pieces protruding the alongside folded tendrils, oozingthe under fastened is end, that covering the replace end,each rib on centraltheto tapered fronds, New flask.the into secured the trimmed face of tendrils. The ends of these ribs these of ends The tendrils. face of trimmed the secured edis n bud ngy o h ifoecne Aohr ic o fod tprd n one on tapered frond, of piece Another inflorescence. the to snugly bound and tendrils

that cover the face of the of face the cover that sennit looped over the soundly lashed tendrils lashed oversoundly the looped sennit

much sap. much They continually chastized me for failing to adhere to an early morning schedule morning an to earlyadhereto failingfor me chastized continuallyThey

h cleto cnanr rqie kl ad dedication and skill require container, collection the ingin film the od olcos otn ta tes hud etne ut tdyra ad gi a dusk. at again and daybreak at just tended be should trees that contend collectors toddy

oe ld, xoig rs us n edis o rdcin Iiil alrs r always are failures Initial production. for tendrils and buds fresh exposing blade, honed blamed on a dull knife and on lack of skill in making a single clean cut clean single a making in skill of lack on and knife dull a on blamed re rqie tid edn a midday at tending third a require trees minute sliver must be shaved off of the end of the bound tendrils with a single stroke of the of strokea with single shaved mustbeminute slivertendrilsoff ofthe ofthe boundend n nta hr ftebs od ett h he, u oaasteol eurmn is requirement only the nowadays but chief, the to went toddy best the of share initial one

that the liquid must be divided equitably. One share, "belonging to women and children,"and women to "belonging share, One equitably.divided be must liquidthatthe

is unavailable. The syrup should be transferred from the collection bottle, taken into town, into taken bottle, from collectionthe be transferredsyrupshould The is unavailable. and boiled to prevent it from souring if not used immediately. used not if souring from it prevent to boiled and sue sasetdik eoeadbten el ra weee we eie sugar refined when sweetener a as or meals between and before drink sweet a as used is wine an 98. al diino rs iudkestemxue ciea tae. ah few Each ages. it as active mixture the keeps liquid fresh of addition Daily 1938). mann days the brewer tests his concoction for strength and flavorand strength for concoctionhis testsbrewer days the utb are oti erc opeetwmnfo eig h rcs, aig magic making process, the seeing from women prevent to secrecy in out carried be must

The next days are spent readying the tree for extraction. Two or three times each day each times three or Two extraction.for tree the readying spent are days next The

Levy 1973), but Ujelang people perform no such rituals nor draw such analogies. such draw nor rituals such no perform people Ujelang but 1973), Levy netetpo h ptehscre onadt h ee fisbs, a good levelofits base,the to downward curved has spathethe tip ofthe Once

utn, idn, osrcig e ccnt ef oe ad unl ad replacing and funnel, and cover leaf coconut new a constructing binding, Cutting,

Once regular collection is under way, a young man distributes his toddy his distributesman young a way, under is collection regular Once

nte sae fr e ol, il e idn n h bs ad emne it palm into fermented and bush the in hidden be will only, men for share, Another

(jemanun;

to capture the sap and fashions special pieces of coconut frond coconut of pieces special fashions and sap the captureto

Mokil,

also termed also

but Ujelang people would consider the approach too cavalier to yield totoo cavalier approachthe would considerpeople butUjelang

jekero,

jekero

jekero jekero"

n netd noacnanr upne fo op of hoop a from suspended container a into inserted and

Vol. 20 Vol.

bears some parallels to circumcision or superincision or circumcision to parallels some bears

ysm Eeea epe (f, rmr n Never and Kramer (cf., people) Enewetak some by

i hscs, h on tnrl) ni tetm of time the until tendrils) bound the case, this (in

with chants or special forms of magic to enhance to magic of forms special or chantswith

eebr 1987 December

ih h sn iety overhead directly sun the with

Weckler records a sequence on toddy tend toddy on sequencea Weckler records

hs utn ofte lwo iud The liquid. of flow the off cutting thus

hy r "e' wr" Skilled work". "men's are They

(nok)

h niefretn process fermenting entire The

r lcdaogie the alongside placedare

(kwimij)

ah time Each

In the past, the In it funnel to

h short The

The best The

jekero

- po-

Public embar-

. All participants

Most guests are

s several young

Women are often accused

who themselves take on, or

troublemakers, but highly tabued

a common practice in kava ceremonies

(kakajourur)

by the producer. At that time the strength of

. Females were disruptive because they were

Micronesica

(kajour)

all goes well, however, the palm wine continues to fer-

throat (heart)

from the same cup

He should not announce the occasion until his brew is fully

one

They represented a force antithetical to the aims of the gathering.

jekero

"of

The Drinking Circle: Toward a Pragmatics of Significance

head" or

one

In the In same way toddy production signifies male maturation, the drinking circle sym-

The man who has tended the tree and made the wine plans a drinking circle where the

Women never participate in palm wine cricles, nor should they ever consume alco-

Unlike normal toddy, which is said to strengthen the semen and increase a man's

"of

fermenting phase of toddy manufacture normally parallels and actually contributes to the ers on the liquid, and causing it to go sour. Severe illness can be caused if a small reddish- the drink is ready to empower the consumers tency, contaminated liquid will cause semen to be weakened, it will make urination diffi- appearance and strengthening of semen in young males, the gnat can short circuit the pro- brown gnat finds its way into the container of fermenting liquid cult, erection impossible, and dreams of desire excrutiating. In short, while the of introducing these gnats, though most undoubtedly come from uncautious toddy tend- ment until it judged is to be potent fermented, but, often, young men are too proud of their newly acquired status to keep the cess with disasterous results. reconfirm their strength as "real men". mixture will be consumed relatives and church members are never invited. Anyone who puts in an appearance must planned gathering a secret, and word rapidly spreads through the village agemates of the sponsor and older men known not to rassment or fines are prices one must pay for not keeping the event private.

bolizes shared masculine identity. Unity is expressed by drinking rules that stress equality; be seated, even though unsolicited guests are a common cause of conflict masculinity is emphasized through sharing a liquid prohibited to women mented toddy before returning the empty container to the pourer to be refilled. An initiate

elsewhere in the Pacific. With palm wine, each person consumes an entire cupful of fer-

drink equal shares of host and another man appointed to fill the cup are the last to consume a cupful of the

tion of the guests. All drinkers, however, are said to be equal, each sits in the circle crossed-legged, facing all other participants. Their placement in space communicates to beverage in each round of drinking. This signifies to each participant the privileged posi-

holic beverages. Old men tell stories of earlier times when men were stronger and could others that those present sit and share with mates. face greater danger. Their strength, some say, has been compromized by unsuited actions like attending drinking circles with women. On Ujelang in the 1970 women would sit in on such gatherings with their husbands. They sat on the periphery. female kibitzers on palm wine drinking circles. Even though wives and female compan- ions sat on the periphery as observers, grumblers claimed each member of the circle must

the context of a palm wine circle, older men often grumbled about the disruptive effect of unlike the participants

They were not given, and did not give themselves, full participatory status. Especially in be For old drinkers, the drinking circle represents masculinity as well as unity, the combina- the unity, as well as masculinity represents circle drinking the drinkers, old For

in f infig lmns ht ae od pouto apret eahr f h transi- the of metaphor perfect a production toddy made that elements signifying of tion in omnod Frte on, oee, hs smos aebgn ocag ter sig- their change to begun have symbols those however, young, the For manhood. to tion

iiac i cod ih e oil settings. social new with accord in nificance

edge of proper modes of being of modes proper of edge xrsin f uh hrd understandings shared such of expression bet aiuae nweg ta r oe, h rsne ffmls nastig where setting a in females of presence the women, are than knowledge manipulate to able nweg ws en fruae, eiwd ad eokd rvd hetnn t older to threatening proved reworked and reviewed, formulated, being was knowledge

e. rnig ice poie n potnt t sae nweg i sie f adversity of spite in knowledge share to opportunity an provide circles Drinking men.

atcpns htalivle are involved all that participants

h cain sntsie oplmcl rtr o ujcs fptnil iareet Out- disagreement. potential of subjects on oratory polemical to suited not is occasion The

icsin rfettegops oiaiy saeet aecmol md rmnig other reminding made commonly are statements solidarity; group's the reflect Discussions

r eone, ois fcmuiy ocr as myb icse, u tertcl topics theoretical but discussed, be may also concern community of topics recounted, are without pragmatic application and jokes about relationships with women are predominate. are women with relationships about and jokes application pragmatic without

himself will be a focus of conversation. It will be said that the young man has done a good a done has man young the that said be will It conversation. of focus a be will himself

pkn pnos itne t sa te tiue o ohr, hud e ae fr council for saved be should others, of attitudes the sway to intended opinions, spoken meetings.

thing by sponsoring the gathering, that his success tending a tree has proved his dedication his proved has a tree tending success his that gathering, the sponsoring by thing and indicates that he is now is he that indicates and duction, the drinking circle confirms their status as men. as status their confirms circle drinking the duction,

rp. ubrt aedrce twr oen o h usd o oad nuivtd guest. uninvited an toward or outside the on someone toward directed are Outbursts erupt.

asals mn r esl aiae, n te noiat ep eps te grsie ten- aggressive the expose helps intoxicant the and agitated, easily are men Marshallese ece ta aepr o h mnstu ntr. te mmes ftedikn crl often circle drinking the of members Other nature. true man's the of part are that dencies mahz wt atobeae' cmlit adare hth a en itm f social of victim a been has he that agree and complaints troublemaker's a with empathize

the one responsible for his discontent. his for responsible one the

nutc. ue fdfrne r imse ad uihbtd temn eis osac for search to begins man the uninhibited, and, dismissed are deference of Rules injustice.

inaeslo avoided seldom are sion al s t dah n trw hmevs pn ilns r os ekn rtiuin n an in retribution seeking sons or siblings upon themselves throw and death a at as wail tep t rvn frhr aae Ltl cn edn, oee, o n nbitd a is man inebriated an for however, done, be can Little damage. further prevent to attempt

energy has been allowed to surface to allowed been has energy

ad ob md srne (ht s hs neet ae oc is force male inherent his is, (that stronger made be to said hn ietraeig c i en cniee wl te ahrd ru o mn combine men of group gathered the will considered being is act life-threatening a when their strength to stay the attacks of an inebriated man presenting his complaint. Even when Even complaint. his presenting man inebriated an of attacks the stay to strength their

il t ay ra dge, o, ne te nlec o achl te tegh f masculine of strength the alcohol, of influence the under for, degree, great any to sible

ed rps no itfgt o ok hoig te nbitd fedr snt ed respon- held not is offender inebriated the throwing, rock or fights fist into erupts feud a

According to Marshallese, and to historical sources, methods of coconut toddy production toddy coconut of methods sources, historical to and Marshallese, to According

were learned from the Gilbertese (Kramer and Nevermann 1938; Mason 1954; Marshall 1954; Mason 1938; Nevermann and (Kramer Gilbertese the from learned were

s ehv se, erig o ae oou tdy saciia se i e' knowl- men's in step critical a is toddy coconut make to learning seen, have we As

tal rnig ice sosrd y asjs lann t tn tes te on man young the trees, tend to learning just lads by sponsored circles drinking all At

hl dikn crls ae uiyn itn, t s o ucmo fr ilne to violence for uncommon not is it intent, unifying a have circles drinking While

hntepro wocue tepolm sfud vra bs n hscl aggres- physical and abuse verbal found, is problem the caused who person the When

rdcin n ue fccnt od i h Mrhls a arltvl sot history short relatively a has Marshalls the in toddy coconut of use and Production

emne Tdya loo: ocp n History and Concept Alcohol: as Toddy Fermented

on rw gtes owtes n mdae h vn. Women event. the mediate and witness to gathers crowd a Soon

(The drinking circle provides a prototypical context for the for context a prototypical provides circle drinking (The

real

"really

o.2. eebr 1987 December 20. Vol.

a" Frtoejs iiitd noccnt od pro- toddy coconut into initiated just those For man".

one"

ic Mrhlee e cam hy r better are they claim men Marshallese Since

or "really the same". Frequently old stories old Frequently same". the "really or

increased)

ydikn. Only drinking. by

. for

'crazy drunk', a label

Early sailors, Germans, Japanese, and

kadek im bwebwe

Descriptions in Kramer and Nevermann (1938)

Micronesica

them. Instead, those elements were rethought termsin of the signs and social

behavior but they certainly embedded these perceptions deeply in a model

copy

Marshall and others (see Marshall 1983;MacAndrew and Edgerton 1969), have dis-

The original acts of drinking that were witnessed (whatever they may have been) are

1970;Rynkiewich 1972; Carucci 1980)

and Marshall 1975; Marshall and Marshall 1979). Kotzebue (1821, 1830) exhaustively IO

to haveknown how to make sweet toddy but not its fermented counterpart (Doane's Jour- recorded foods and drinks in the Ratak Chain but failed to mention coconut toddy. By the nal). With the introduction of copra as a market commodity in the 1860s, though, the use and Mason (1947) indicate the increasing importance of toddy production to Marshall Is- island residents today (Erdland HRAF; Spoehr 1949; Tobin 1967; Kiste 1968; Pollock time missionaries arrived the in southern Marshalls in the 1850s, however, residents seem of fermented toddy began to take root. Between 1860 and 1900 copra became the major landers, and we have seen how Ugelang residents this fit product into an indigenous pat- cash crop throughout the western Pacific, and it remains a major source of income for tern of significance and use. It remains to be shown how Enewetak people have continually refashioned their ideas to take account of a wide array of alcoholic beverages and Ujelangmales are able to publically air grievances. Much as I have shown for Ujelang and drinking situations that share some features with fermented toddy yet otherin respects are cussed the effects of alcohol as a disinhibitor, a theme brought out by the way inebriated quite different. Enewetak, these researchers show how significantly culture shapes reactions to intoxi- ing potential of acts to ideologies: "not only the behaviors involved in drunkenness were ate form of drunken comportment) was modeled on colonial European patterns. cating beverages. Nonetheless, styles of drinking havealso been affected by outside influ- Marshall's hypothesis equally is provocative in leading us from discussiona of the signify-

copied, but also the beliefs about the drunken state as one of mindless disinhibition" ences and, as Marshall suggests (1983), "how to be drunk" (disinhibition as an appropri- (ibid.: 197). Alcohol consumption on Ujelang, however, may prove particularly instruc- model relationships that made sense to Ujelang people tive, for while residents appropriated certain signifying elements from Europeans, they action based on their own view of the world (cf., Geertz 1973). Americans provided many examples from which Enewetak/Ugelang folks abstracted a did not far less important than the indigenous apperception of them (cf., Boas 1889). Enewetak An idea like "mindless disinhibition" must, thus, be placed within a specific contextual people have reformulated their ideas about alcohol several times in the past century, and each conception has been repeatedly manifest in different meaningful patterns of action. late it 1970s could be very roughly translated as for unruly drunken comportment used by women and church members. These two groups within society, is "time in" for unmarried youth. As "time out", married men use drunk- framework at a particular point in Ujelang history in order to lend it significance. In the larly, "time out" for married men, an opportunity to get away from their acquired roles forming, asocial action. Whereas drunkenness, particularly when becomesit unruly, isby definition a social threat to women, it is expected, if not ideal, behavior for men. Simi- represent social stability and moral restraint, the very antithesis of "craziness" as noncon- enness as an excuse for a temporary return to their mature unmarried selves, and as "time as and selves, unmarried mature theirto return a temporary for asan excuse enness

en i oit' cne c. Crci 94.Lk "ides iihbto" "ie out" "time disinhibition", "mindless Like 1984). Carucci (cf., center society's in being in" young men use coconut toddy, western alcoholic beverages, or "yeast" to define their define to "yeast" or beverages, alcoholic western toddy, usecoconut men young in" cin a atclry acln, n dniy odme b toe utrly eie as defined culturally those by condemned identity an masculine, particularly as actions

to marriage; for young males "taking on strength" on "taking malesyoung for marriage; to for action: for scenariosspecific into translated I roughly be 1983: only can 97) (Marshall are mn dikn poie rest provides drinking men, married

that requires no justification, for strength is the essence of true manhood true of essence the is strength for no requires thatjustification, For married males rest or re-invigoration becomes the concomitant of taking on strength on taking of concomitant the becomes re-invigoration or rest males married For jidik (jolok for those first making coconut toddy. For all males, drinking provides a route to assumingto a route provides drinking males, all For toddy. first coconut making thosefor h oeo "el e" amd fbigta, ydfnto, xsso oit' periphery. society's on exists definition, by that, being of mode a men", "real of role the

might rm nte scey Achlc eeae, ie l rn-ls tig bt na oe ac- more a in but things drink-class all like beverages, Alcoholic society. another from tively potent way, are male symbols. Like maturing young men, alcohol has a strength a has alcohol men, young maturing Like symbols. male are way, potent tively brought out through fermentation and aging. Its negative image makes a good joke:a makes image negative Its aging. and fermentation through out brought

hs agtrpooig up drce a a on gr kedn fretd breadfruit, fermented kneading girl young a at directed quip, laughter-provoking This

ons phwipasbe stepsiiiy fpouig rnens/oe fo fer- from drunkenness/women producing of possibility the is implausible how up points

etto/od n, y eain hw prpit t cet duknesmn from drunkenness/men create to appropriate how negation, by and, mentation/food fermentation/drink. o nyde h a aetedik a npl iepouto) u h rn makes drink the but production) wine palm in (as drink the make man the does only not h mnfec fgtn e o Tu ad jln. nte atr ntne a lat the least, at instance, latter the In Ujelang. and Truk on men fighting man-fierce the strength of the liquid is a sign at various levels: it symbolizes the strength of the mature the of strength the symbolizes it levels: various at sign a is liquid the of strength young male, and it contributes to that strength iconically, by transferring strength to him to strength transferring by iconically, strength that to contributesit and male, young

ceptual schema with its own patterns of use. of patterns own its with schema ceptual and by contributing to the potency of his semen. his of potency the to contributing by and

om spae i n nieos itrcl esetv wt ison yai o change, of dynamic own its with perspective historical indigenous an in placed is form both in terms of patterns of use and in regard to other styles of alcohol consumption. alcohol of styles other to regard in and use of patterns of terms in both

producing trees provided coconuts for men of rank. Reflecting on this state of shortage, of state this on Reflecting rank. of men for coconuts provided trees producing

oecamta hs e hrdcmua cp fpl ie btohr otn that contend others but wine, palm of cups communal shared men these that claim some od dikn dvlpd uh ae n nwtk i aaee ie, hn oa men local when times, Japanese in Enewetak, on later much developed drinking toddy ial acdd o hi clnzrs eie ad lne te tl wt ccnt. y this By coconuts. with atoll the planted and desires colonizer's their to acceded finally account, what it meant to be a man had to be rethought when confronted with copra pro- copra with confronted when rethought be to had man a be to meant it what account, uto. e a awy el drcl wt h safsig cne ulig ad sail- and building, canoe sea-fishing, the with directly dealt always had Men duction.

planting days when seedlings were consumed instead of being planted. The atoll was fi- was atoll The planted. being of instead consumed were seedlings when days planting

n-n ter vrint patn ccnt i eodd nhmru tls bu early about tales humorous in recorded is coconuts planting to aversion their ing-and

al md it a or patto udr ues bt h Jpns mrhns h de- who merchants Japanese the but duress, under plantation copra a into made nally add rs rnig oous eegvnnt affle ihuie I h n, how- end, the In urine. with half-filled nuts given were coconuts drinking fresh manded

rne cmotet s o autrl cin a ecp fo al oil ue, as rules, social all from escape an action, acultural not is comportment Drunken

(kadek in (kadek

oti on aeatmtd oidct o od rdcin fitscon- specificinto production toddy how indicate to haveI Topoint thisattempted

In early German times, Enewetak people say coconuts were very scarce; only a few a only scarce; very were coconutssay people Enewetak times, German early In

You watch yourself [imperative] miss, you'll get drunk-drunkenness suited to women to suited drunk-drunkenness get you'll You [imperative] miss, watchyourself

suggested by "time out"; nor is it an action attained, unmodified, by diffusion by unmodified, attained, action an it is nor out"; "time by suggested

mok)-legitimate symbolic pathways that lead a man back to his status prior status his to back man a lead that pathways symbolic mok)-legitimate

kora).

sas asg wihpit i ohdrcin smlaeul, for simultaneously, directions both in points which sign a also is

o.2. eebr 1987 December 20. Vol.

(kakije jidik) (kakije

remains to be shown how that particular that how shown be to remains

(buk kajour in) kajour (buk

and a chance to "throw off tiredness" off "throw to chance a and

is a reason for drinking is a reason

(Lukuun emaan).

II .

And we made

Johnny Walker

Women's roles

'those who fight

Men'sroles, which had

very upset-old ones like

Ri torinae

They were good friends and many cases

The thing was whiskey

prayers.

arrangements with local women. For five

with

for

Micronesica

and sometimes I would bring a big container of fermented

on Enewetak and then on Ujelang, patterns established after the battle

put raisins in it ..

and

the battle of Enewetak (February a 1944)new conceptual era began-one that

The fellow, my friend, was a husky white man with a deep voice and each night after

Missionary teachers who reached Enewetak in radically 1926 transformed the mode

After

"yeast"

work he and I met in the bush and shared a bottle Then we would go to the movie, drunk, but the elders would Ernej, Jonni, Ebream, Debij-and they did not like the American workers because they were troublemakers and did not adhere to laws of the church. But we drank anyway

toddy and he would bring bottles, sometimes cases (or 'a case' of hard liquor) and we would drink down at the end of the island until we fell asleep. And we would drink and sleep and drink and sleep. And one time, I brought him Elata (pseudonym), our cross-cousin, and he provided me with one entire case of Johnny Walker he brought me combiningfor them

Two major reconceptualizations come out of these accounts

the fighting-much like the warrior grandfathers of Enewetak men

thatrefigured the associations between males and coconut trees. "you have the possibility of getting drunk with toddy" but, at the same time, "it differs ever, coconuts were planted, and men's and women's roles had to be rethought in terms of discourse that surrounded toddy production. They put an end to traditional initiation unsavory. As part of this prohibition, fermented coconut toddy came to be classed with rites, including tatooing, and tabued alcoholic beverages and smoking. The very production of toddy became illegal since it could be made into a drink that was, in their eyes,

other alcoholic beverages. It is significant, though, that older men on Enewetak, even to- from" other inebriants. Along with this classificatory change came another result of the day, do not classify fermented toddy along with bottled alcohol. These elders admit that tabu. As Mary Douglas would remind us, the element of danger was brought into much

and the profane (Douglas 966). I Conversion to Christianity became almost universal in the and 1930's popular "vices" were replaced closerassociation typesof all with alcohol by polarizing thedistinction between thesacred activities might not lead to eternal damnation. Servicemen shared in toddy drinking ses- reinforced the inclusion of fermented toddy as alcohol. American military personnel on sions. They taught Enewetak people how to make home brew from yeast and brought Enewetak and Ujelang drank and smoked; they even convinced a few youth that these young men bottles of alcohol in exchange years after years the war lar flights brought supplies and western movies. Military restrictions were not as strin- Navy personnel. Navy stationweatherA was maintained on the main onUjelang, islet andregu- of Enewetak continued. During this time the local residents received support from U.S. gently enforced after the war

did been brought into closer association with women's roles during the early years of copra Enewetakwhom withmen identified both as co-workers and as fighters, that is, those who

also shifted in a significant way, first by shiftedway, firstbecominga also insignificant involved in theproduction of handicraft production were symbolically realigned with fighting men. came to include Japanese and American military personnel, particularly the enlisted men o oeg vstr ad scn, ytesle bcmn cmoiis nteecag of exchange the in commodities becoming themselves by second, and, visitors foreign for eul aos o alcohol. for favors sexual

hs xhne Oe ope xlie te nrdcin f loo a a etnin f the of extension an as alcohol of introduction the explained couple One exchange. this

males and females both view the shift more subtly more shift the view both females and males could also arrange a match between one of his cross-cousins and a serviceman who would who serviceman a and cross-cousins his of one between match a arrange also could match the from result that benefits an with eye to various

elh aneac rsosblt a oa hs o hr rs-osn. hs a woman a Thus, cross-cousins. her for has woman a responsibility maintenance health

hnpoie loo ta ol enioae h on mnsmsuie nris In retro- energies. masculine man's young the reinvigorate would that alcohol provide then

fwihmlsaemd. uigteps a r,yugwmnpriiae in process the participated women young war era, postthe During made. are males which of him prevent to spouse) potential (a cross-cousin her with intercourse sexual have should from becoming too filled with sperm, which could cause him to die to him cause could which sperm, with filled too becoming from

pc, tlat achl scnevd fa nte a ocet rpeev teesnil stuff essential the or preserve way to create of anotheras is conceived alcohol at least, spect,

as part of a long-established exchange which was modified, but not radically altered, by the by altered, radically not but modified, was which exchange a long-establishedof as part diin f alcohol. of addition

es adsl-ob frpol o jln. iiay esne dpre adUie States United and departed personnel Military Ujelang. on people for self-doubt and ness,

vr2 er lf a ifcl, u pol survived people but difficult, was life years 20 over ht h ope clbain nw as known celebration complex the that

upr dide. rmsd hp ddntarv. epe ee hungry were People arrive. not did ships Promised dwindled. support

the production of palm wine came to be an important way to symbolize the passage of boys of passage the symbolize to way important an to be came wine palm of production the

mrcn hdecuae teeeto o fiil, n o h is ie ntelt l 960s, late the in first time the for and officials, of election the encouraged had Americans

lmns f acln edao wr big utie. y h ery 90 cne were canoes 1970s early the By curtailed. being were endeavor masculine of elements no h sau o yug e. hs a a r we edr euae i h od as and ways old the in educated elders when era an was This men. young of status the into nrdcd o iso tahns s el mrid e ad oe bgn o as away. pass to began women and men married newly as teachings mission to introduced

oen ohr hn cif a coe fr h hget ot A te ae ie critical time, same the At post. highest the for chosen was chief a than other someone

scarce, and the central importance of canoe building groups ceased to be a factor in the in factor a be to ceased groups building canoe of importance central the and scarce,

prpit hsoia mmn. t s n rn o atvt i hc ec eeet ep to helps element each which in activity of arena an is It moment. historical appropriate

oefo byt a Tbn 97 10e. seq.). et. 160 1967: (Tobin man to boy from move

nom on by bu wa i st e a (unr 94. h yuh ers about learns youth The 1974). (Turner man a be to is it what about boy young a inform auiy ymnpltn sgswih hmevs ofr hssau. eipeet those implements He status. his confirm themselves which signs manipulating by maturity

events (Schneider 1968; Geertz 1972; Beidelman 1980), but the fact that symbols are mal- are symbols that fact the but 1980), Beidelman 1972; 1968; Geertz (Schneider events ino nacet rite ancientan of tion and events that have undergone substantial change in the past. Toddy production has been has production Toddy past. the in change substantial undergone have that events and rdal rfsind o ovy msae rud h cnrl hms f oiaiy and solidarity of themes central the around message a convey to refashioned gradually rnfrain ste eae oae n gender. and age to relate they as transformation signifiers for the first time in the process of making palm wine, though he may have toyed have may he though wine, palm making of process the in time first the for signifiers ihte ale i ie A ecnse oee,pl iepouto isa not reinstantia- production wine palm however, see, we As can in life. earlier them with

eiw fEeea' ps as pit t h future the to points also past Enewetak's of review

ebe seuly motn. e sgiiacs r rae i vrdy icus, u not but discourse, everyday in created are significances New important. equally is leable ihu rfrne o netbihd utrl re (aln 18) Wt ti i id the mind, in this With 1985). (Sahlins order cultural established an to reference without

hmso oe' xliain r aiyra noti nepeain but Marshallese into are interpretation,this read easily of exploitationwomen's Themes

fe hseao xieet telt 15sad 90 ruh tm o slto, sad- isolation, of time brought 1960s and 1950s late the excitement, of era this After

Even in these difficult times, Ujelang culture was very much alive much verywas culture Ujelang in times, difficultthese Even

oou tdymnfcue eae yblc ttmn aotml auain at an maturation male about statement a symbolic became manufacture toddy Coconut

The return to Enewetak in 1980 meant different things to different people. For the old the For people. different to things different 1980 meant in Enewetak to return The of significance cultural the encode sequences action and symbols that know We

is creative and new. and is creative

Vol. 20 Vol.

Kurijmoj

eebr 1987 December

constructs a cultural message out of symbols of out message a cultural constructs

was

Marriages have always been contracted been always have Marriages

ocpulzd Crci 90, and 1980), (Carucci conceptualized

loo de nte aube to valuable another added Alcohol

u te on man young the But

oe starved Some

was in these years inwas these

For

13 may be best

women who

'combining',

koba

kokafl

young

are

kokafl

to 1981, but

kokafl 'water' (alcoholic beverages). On Ene-

den

(often glossed as 'prostitute'). popular A ballad

Micronesica

kokafl

is the menis whose "craziness" brought out is alcohol, by

derived from theearlier significance, 'barter' (as opposed to

'bottled hard liquor' were consumed. Some even tried these intoxi-

batto

sexual favors, they are called

On Ujelang, of womenquestionable reputation often sat on in drinking circles where

Old men will die with theconception that an inescapable bond links men with drink-

The composition of drinking groups and their significance has shifted in response to

'yeast' or

14 iiej

mytho-poetically attributes the first Marshallese it represented a return to the ancient homeland, but for the young it stood for a new life

share few sponsor their own drinking parties. They emulate patterns in the governmental center alcohol increased the complexity of the exchange. Today's play an active role in courtship and marriage arrangements which consistently extend be- littleaffected bythe intoxicant. with access to wealth, Western goods, and sponses to this change. where women frequent clubs or drink at private homes. These female participants are understood as 'exchangers' while the women have an interest in establishing a long term tie which will bring in buying and selling). Ashaveseen, we a woman's responsibility to her cross-cousins (ideal wetak, men's and women's roles have changed rapidly, as have the meanings of symbols summoned to account for their actions by older community members, even renowned heavy drinkers. Since accepting smoke and drink assumedis to be a signof willingness to spouses) has long included dispensing sexual favors that help maintain a male's ment of their cross-cousins, young women now control supra-familial exchanges where oneness,sharing-less and of unity, symbols women's and opposition men's between the on force. But in spite of new trends, the "core symbols" and organizing principles are not cants. With the return to Enewetak, it is not uncommon to see women indulge; in fact, a healthfulness.often returned assistance and wereGifts but, with war, militarythe aftermen they acquire goods in encounters involving "foreign" men, cigarettes, and alcoholic havebeen incorporated drinkinginto circles (albeit not those with the complex symbolism bacco. contends Onewoman youngfemales that drinkcontact use to men, are theythat but beverages. gone. They themselvesmanifest different in ways. For men, violence associated their with nature-histrue man's a drinking out intoxicatingbrings toddy and /im-), objects ( able wild of Ujelang coconut toddy circles), and men of various ages have developed divergent re- very nature, and exposed by alcohol, easily is kindled. Ideas that alcohol improves men's and warring self. These men cannot approve of women drinking, for alcohol contradicts changing circumstances, or perhaps to anticipate them; greater stress has been placed on yond theboundaries bilateralof extended family andclan. Insteadjudge-of relying on the goods. co-residenceIndeed, children,with alongand as thesame thisis their very nature-tame, nurturing, creating and stabilizing society from within itself. In out of which peopleconstruct their respective identities. In a short period of time, women gible goods return, now perpetuate this pattern in a system mediated by alcohol and to- the outcome of primordial courtship procedures.

communicative abilities and increases their allure also persist. Women, who have always controlled an objectified exchange system in which sexual favors are distributed and tan- contrast, young men often approve of mixed drinking because it has become a way of Vol. 20. December 1987 15 meeting women from other atolls. Young men and women who drink together stress different aspects of Marshallese ideology-the unity, sharing, and sense of oneness that are products of the drinking circle. These things lend legitimacy to new drinking styles. The promised return to Enewetak was one source of new ideas about drinking. The temporary return program (1977 -1980), established to allow the oldest members of the community to see their ancestral homeland before their death, soon found elders longing for Ujelang where they could dine on Marshallese foods, sit under grown coconuts, and pass the time with their families and familiar agemates. Younger people flocked to Enewetak instead to gain access to Western goods and alcohol. Where laws on Ujelang prohibited imported alcohol, young Enewetak residents, maybe even the district administrator's repre- sentative, began to question whether Ujelang laws applied at all to Enewetak. These ques- tions were raised again when most of the community moved home in 1980. Following the 1980 return, coconut toddy production was never again significant to maturing males. Since making toddy was environmentally untenable (recently planted coconut trees were years, even decades, from maturity), the manufacture of iiej 'yeast' and consumption of bootlegged liquor took on some of the symbolic properties of fermented toddy. Tabus against these beverages were no longer enforced as strictly as they had been on Ujelang, perhaps because older leaders had sacrificed their positions to a new group of younger, Japanese-educated, men who did not govern with missionary strictness. These new leaders had known the revelries of post World War II GI drinking groups. In part, they empathized with modem ideas. In this climate of social ferment, the cultural logic which gave meaning to toddy production changed focus, but it did not die. New tales about drinking use the same sorts of thought processes to refashion concepts of maleness, maturity, and sharing into new metaphors about the strength and social exchange value of alcohol. As females are accepted into drinking circles, discourse about alcohol has begun to stress maturity and sharing over themes of maleness. Nevertheless, fragments of the old ideology allow men, accustomed to having total control of drinking circles, to summarily dismiss women participants when they tire of their companionship. A range of actions are thus justified or brought into question using an ideology which is itself in a constant state of change. Due to environmental disruption of Enewetak, coconut toddy cannot be used as a metaphor of male maturity. It is, however, one historical presentation of a Marshallese pattern of thought and action which leads to a better understanding of how alcohol is incorporated as a signifier of maleness, maturation, and sharing. As a sign vehicle, alcohol, in its production and consumption, takes on significance only in relation to other parts of a dynamic, ever changing, cultural code. While the details that interrelated men and toddy producton on Ujelang are not likely to be reproduced, the broader metaphors that align alcohol with masculinity, maturity, sharing, and incorporation provide a refractory lens through which the diverse Marshallese drinking patterns, and those of other Pacific societies, can be considered.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This contribution is based on research on Enewetak and Ujelang Atolls between Au- gust 1976 and September 1978. A grant from the National Science Foundation admin- 16 Micronesica istered by The University of Chicago made that research possible. Comparative materials are derived from work on Enewetak, Ujelang, and Majuro Atolls between May 1982 and May 1983, a period spent as Project Director for a National Endowment for the Humani- ties funded study on social change on Enewetak and Ujelang Atolls, Marshall Islands. Specific findings and interpretations are those of the author, not of the granting agencies or sponsoring institutions.

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