article

The money of the Yapese

Deutsches kolonialblatt • 12 • Published In 1901 • Pages: HRAF ms: 1, 5 leaves [original: 870-872 ]

By: Senfft, Arno.

Abstract
This brief article discusses the two main forms of Yap money: 'fä' (large circular stones with round holes hewed out in the center) and 'jar' (mother-of -pearl shells). The manufacture and transport of 'fä' are described and the use and value of 'jar' and 'fä' are compared. The 'mitemit,' ceremonial distribution of gifts and repayment of debts which occur after the death of a chief or rich man, is also described.
Subjects
Medium of exchange
Ethnobotany
Lithic industries
Gift giving
Weight moving
Price and value
External trade
culture
Yapese
HRAF PubDate
2000
Region
Oceania
Sub Region
Micronesia
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Government Official
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Helen Gunsher Bornstein; 1975
Field Date
ca. 1900
Coverage Date
1900
Coverage Place
Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia
Notes
Arno Senfft
Translation of: [Das Geld der Yaper]
Translated from the German in 1942 for the Yale Cross-Cultural Survey in connection with the Navy Pacific Islands Handbook Project
LCCN
10031110
LCSH
Yapese (Micronesian people)/Yap (Micronesia)