WILMER JOEL
The culmination of cultural week rounded off with a first-of-its-kind event featuring 10 high school students displaying traditional attire, telling stories, and performing dances and songs last Friday hosted by the Alele Museum and Public Library.
The “Jined Kiped” showcase highlighted legendary Marshallese women renowned for their beauty and prowess. The participants represented them and incorporated cultural heritage into their presentations.
The judging panel included Irooj Ted Michael, Wilson Note, Atte Lang, Lorraine Kramer, and Miss Marshall Islands Claret Chong Gum.
Winning the event was Villiana William of the Raej clan from Life Skills Academy who represented Liwatoonmour. Her performance is noted for involving her peers in naming and defining the clans in the Ralik chain.
Justina Nimoto of the Raur clan from Assumption High School earned second place for her portrayal of Lenkar. Nimoto and her team performed a short play that tells the story of the encounter of Irooj Jebro and the “stunning” Lenkar. Third place went to Anjo Terio of the Kalo clan from Majuro Baptist Christian Academy, representing Litormalu.
Terio recounts the tale of how Litormalu mastered navigation, a skill passed down to her grandson, the renowned navigator Lainjin, while her friends held enlarged papers illustrating the story.
The event’s emcees were Dr. Mylast Bilimon and Ronnie Johnson.