Pohnpei-Between Time & Tide . Municipalities (wehi), Communities (kousapw) and Farmsteads (peliensahpw)

Pohnpeians & Land Organization

Municipalities (wehi)

Today, Pohnpei is divided into the five chiefdoms or municipalities, called wehi⁽¹⁾ (way), which developed after Isokelekel's conquest in the 1600’s. Madolenihmw and Kitti are the largest, geographically, encompassing more than half of Pohnpei’s land mass. Nett and Sokehs are next, with U occupying the least land area. Each of the wehi is led by a pair of high chiefs, whose offices trace back to the organizational structure set up by Isokelekel and his son. The paramount chief, or Nahnmwarki (nahn·mwar·kee) has the highest authority within the municipality. The Nahnken---similar to a prime minister---is second in rank, acting as a sociopolitical mediator between the Nahnmwarki and the common people. Until 1912, when the German colonial government privatized land ownership, the paramount chiefs⁽²⁾ owned all the land in their respective municipalities. The undermining of the feudal system limited the power of the chiefs. That power continues today, but is more symbolic and social than governmental.

Organization of the land

Communities (kousapw)

Each of the chiefdoms are made up of twenty to thirty smaller divisions, called kousapw (koh·sap). These community districts have strict boundaries and are led by section chiefs called kaun or soumas (soh·mas). Section chiefs serve as would a village head, organizing the activities of all the residents of the kousapw. Each kousapw has a nahs (community house), located nearby the residence of the kaun, where meetings and feasts take place. The kousapw were designed in wedge-shaped pieces, extending from shore to mountains, so that each type of ecosystem is represented within a single unit.

Farmsteads (peliensahpw)

Each kousapw is divided further into twenty or so farmsteads, called peliensahpw (pe·lee·en·sahp). Pohnpeians have never been village-dwellers, nor have they accepted the idea of individual land ownership, but have always preferred to live on scattered parcels of land owned collectively by the extended families to which they belong. These Pohnpeian children

efficient residential areas may house a very extensive family group, including members from different matriclans. The definitive factor of the extended family is which people are living together on the same plot of land and exploiting the same resources. How the farmstead is organized is highly variable. Each nuclear family unit might have its own house and cooking area or simply live in a portion of the main house. Communally, the adolescent and adult members of the household raise the young children, maintain the houses and cooking huts, cook, clean, wash, and work the land; harvesting crops, planting trees, and managing livestock---producing whatever is needed to support the household members and participate in the prestige economy. The family pigs are kept in rows of pens, while dogs, and fowl⁽³⁾ wander freely in the vicinity, often chased by dozens of semi-naked young children. Tame waterbuffalo⁽⁴⁾ aid in the agricultural process.

(1) WEHI is the Pohnpeian word for 'turtle'. Hence the municipalities are sometimes refered to historically as the 'turtle states'.

(2) PARAMOUNT CHIEF positions in Nett and Sokehs were created after 1912, in response to the German government's land reforms.

HOUSES: THEN & NOW

In the 1800's, houses were constructed on laid stone foundations several feet high. A steep roof was supported by tall beams in the center and shorter timbers around the edges. Thatch, from the leaves of the ivory nut, was fastened with coconut twine. Thin, low walls were created with a type of wild cane (Saccharum spontaneum). Houses were as large as 20 feet by 40. Currently, however, most Pohnpeians build their houses of concrete, reinforced with steel rebar. Though initially expensive, concrete houses fair better in wind storms and require less maintenance then those made from traditional materials.

Women doing laundry WORK AND SOCIAL SOLIDARITY

Common household activities, like doing the laundry, double as social events for community members. Mechanical washing machines are uncommon outside Kolonia, and many women (and children) still gather at the rivers to wash their families' clothes. Using short, light sticks of hibiscus wood, the women beat out excess water after soaping and rinsing the clothing. Such group activities bring community members together. For women, river meetings give them time away from the immediate demands of family life and allow them an opportunity to exchange news and socialize in a comfortable, casual setting.

(3) DOMESTIC FOWL (Gallus gallus) were introduced to Pohnpei in the 1800's (likely by accident). Like dogs, these animals forage free all over the island and some have even become feral. All are valued for their meat and egg-producing potential. Pohnpeians call chickens malek.

(4) ASIAN WATERBUFFALO, or carabao, were brought to Pohnpei by the Spanish, who probably acquired them in the Philippines. The dangerous-looking--but docile--animals often wander freely in the backland areas of the island and are used as beasts of burden on the farmsteads, where they pull plows, drag pallets of produce, or carry enthusiastic children.

Text by Alex Zuccarelli 2003.
Picture credits: Pohnpeian children & laundry photos courtesy of ©Trust Territory of the Pacific Photo Archives. Carabao photo courtesy of Anthony J. Zuccarelli ©1999. Gallery; 2-3 courtesy of Anthony J. Zuccarelli ©1999. All other images property of Alex Zuccarelli.

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