Traditional ceremonies

I’ve had the fortune attending traditional ceremonies north and south of the equator—Micronesia and the South Pacific—in various capacities throughout my government career. Traditional chiefs are the pillars of leadership in their community. They present community issues and plans of importance for discussion among their people.

How refreshing their words of wisdom, so far removed from the usual pompous political rhetoric we hear in town hall meetings in contemporary politics. There’s depth, clarity, simplicity, and humility in their messages. They listen to their people upon which they draw dispositions from fully thought out discussion of issues.

It’s an awesome experience listening to the discussion between chief, people in the hierarchy, and their people. At the end of the discussion the decision embraces what would be of greater good for the community. I miss the wisdom uttered by speakers why a proposal would be good or otherwise.

It wasn’t so much the signal honor of chiefs that I find alluring as much as the traditional values behind them practiced for centuries. He employs it as a vehicle and beacon, leading his people forward. It was the sturdy foundation that provided edification—improving and uplifting—the livelihood of his people. It’s a long journey where tradition serves as the powerful anchor that has endured the shifting tides of change.

Traditional chiefs hail from the matrilineal royal lineage. They are not elected or appointed. Ascendancy occurs naturally upon expiry of a ruling chief. The heir apparent takes over the reins and guides his people based on traditional values. Each is fully suited for his responsibility and the respect and dignity that come with his new role.

We may have similar culture though I’ve only heard of Chiefs Quipuha and Hurau. It must be fatally hard for them embracing the forced change wrought by the Spanish and other conquerors. I’ve heard of traditional and navigational chiefs in our Carolinian community. The former outranks the latter in both stature and dignity.

I miss the reverential fellowship where lasting relationships are sowed in the combined convergence of traditional and contemporary leadership. They are wise men that firmly guide the journey of their people via the strong foundational fiber of tradition. It is real leadership using the time-honored anchor of indigenous traditional values to move the lot of their people forward.

Wisdom basket

Visitation in the olden days happens for a reason. It’s usually a serious matter. It includes the exchange of a cow with land for a wedding, small loan to help a son or daughter in a bind in college, among others.

It begins with the offer of a basket of betel nut or what islanders call the wisdom basket. The visitor fixes his betel nut including the host. When relaxation level is reached, the host begins the polite conversation.

Surprising the level of very respectful language used in this conversation. I’ve heard some of them including the pleasantries in the use of implied sentiments to express themselves that is tacitly understood. I hardly hear this mode of conversation anymore. Is it history too?

Salute to our parents

In our ripe age, we begin to look back with humble appreciation for the life and the long hard journey we’ve treaded to reach our destiny. Difficult and dark a valley as it was there’s always the sunniness of hope in the presence of our parents. There are dad’s firm pillar or hands and mom’s sturdy foundation and encouraging words of wisdom that sprinkle fresh hope so we begin anew.

Difficult those days may be, dad never gave up teaching how to earn our dues with honesty through sheer hard work. It made men out of young boys, learning how to steer the wheels of an old train known as life in the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s.

Mom’s indelible influence was our spiritual upbringing, untiring encouragement that we do it right in spite of it all. When our hope is punctured she’s there once more to restore our drained energy and bone-tire bodies. We move on with their sturdy coaching until we started navigating our canoes out of the channel.

I tried understanding mom’s untiring energy and firm discipline amidst the abyss of abject poverty. Well, we never get to discussing it other than leave behind several issues for the author to ponder upon. A blessed happy Mother’s and Father’s Day to one and all!