CONTACT: Tom Tamangmow
(691) 350-2298
Yap’s 8th Annual Canoe Festival Announced:
Rich Heritage of Traditional Seafaring to be Celebrated on December 8 and 9
Celebrating the rich heritage of traditional seafaring in the Pacific region of Micronesia, the Yap Visitors Bureau, in partnership with the Yap Traditional Navigation Society, has announced that the 8th annual Yap Canoe Festival will be held December 8 & 9, 2017 in Colonia. The two days of festivities will take place at the Yap Living History Museum and will include a parade of traditional sailing canoes, dances, skills demonstrations and a marketplace offering food and handicrafts for sale.
Micronesian scholar and filmmaker Dr. Eric Metzgar will provide the keynote address an present his video, A Voyaging Odyssey, featuring highlights from the 2010 ocean voyages captained by Pwo Master Navigator Ali Haleyalur and Master Canoe Carver Chief Bruno Tharngan. The ocean crossings “rediscovered” the ancient, traditional sea routes between the islands of Lamotrek, Guam, Yap and Palau.
“We are excited that Dr. Metzgar will be joining us along with Ali Haleyalur and Chief Tharngan,” said Don Evans, general manager of the Yap Visitors Bureau. “Dr. Metzgar has spent many years on the Outer Islands of Yap studying the art and history of traditional sailing and is a leading expert in the field.”
Voyaging canoe rides will be offered on Friday, December 8 followed that evening by the traditional dances of Yap that are renowned throughout the region.
On Saturday, December 9, a photographic exhibit of Yap’s seafaring history along with other exhibits will be on display. Visitors will also have the rare opportunity to taste the traditional offertory, voyaging, and celebratory foods connected with successful long sea voyages. “This year’s Canoe Festival promises to be a not-to-be-missed experience for not only canoeists but anyone interested in learning more about the seafaring history and traditions of these remote Pacific islands,” adds Evans.
For more information, visit www.visityap.com or email Tom Tamangmow at the Yap Visitors Bureau at tomyvb@mail.fm or by phone at (691) 350-2298.
Canoe Summit at the 8th Annual Yap Canoe Festival
(December 7, 2017)
Organizers:
Yap Visitors Bureau
Yap Traditional Navigation Society
Waa’gey (Seafaring Future), Yap
Objectives:
- To continue to encourage the sharing of knowledge and skills related to traditional seafaring in the Pacific among practioners and scholars in the field of Canoe culture.
- To follow up on the objectives set out by the Canoe Summit in Guam at the 12th Festival of Pacific Arts in 2016 which are as follows:
- To identify opportunities and challenges facing traditional seafaring in the Pacific.
- To discuss regional and international cooperation for its safeguarding and transmission.
Description:
This Summit will provide the opportunity to discuss issues involved in the safeguarding of seafaring traditions as shared heritage in the region.
The Program of the Summit will consist of Activity Reports by practitioners in the region and Research Reports by experts.
Venue:
Small Business Center, Colonia, Yap
Yap Visitors Bureau
P.O.u Box 988 u Yap, FM 96943
Tel:(691)350-2298 u Fax:(691)350-7015