Sawei Gifts

The coral islanders gave many special gifts to the Yapese through the sawei voyages. They included foods, sweets, coconut oil, mats, sails, dance belts, rope, tobacco and special shells. They also made religious offerings to the spirit Yangolap, like tur (valuable weavings).

The Yapese gave gifts in return – for example, turmeric powder for ceremonies; Tahitian chestnuts and other foods; red soil used for colour; clay pots; and giant clam shells. They also gave large trees for making vakas or even finished vakas. They promised to help the coral islanders after storms too.

The women made many of the gifts that were exchanged in the sawei system – for example, the tur, mats, sails, clay pots, and foods. Men were responsible for the soil, clam shells, trees, and finished vakas – and for wayfinding. They also performed the religious rituals.

Exchange Network

In 1920 there were over 200 Vaka voyaging around the Santa Cruz Islands. The little atoll islands had a lot of fish, sea turles, breadfruit, nuts, and young people wanting marriage partners. The high islands had big trees for making Vaka, and other plants for making houses, paddles, and young people who wanted marriage partners. But when the British made laws against voyaging, there were fewer and fewer Vaka sailing between islands. During World War II it was very dangerous to make voyages. Pacific people needed to go to other islands to get jobs so they could get money to pay taxes and school fees. Eventually the old people died who had good partnerships on other islands. But luckily there were still a few experienced voyagers in 1996 when the Vaka Taumako Project started. The ultimate goal is to re-establish the voyaging communications and trade networks throughout the region, and make life in the islands more sustainable and resilient from disasters like strong storms and cyclones, King Tides, and other effects of climate change.