MICRONESIA: EXPLORING the famous STONE MONEY sites, island of YAP (Pacific Ocean)
SUBSCRIBE: - Let's visit one of the most famous banks of stone money in the lovely island of Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia in the Pacific Ocean. This bank is located in the jungle in the ancient village of Okau (Okaw) in the southern part of Yap. Vic Stefanu, vstefanu@yahoo.com. Yap or Wa′ab classically refers to an island located in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean, and a part of the Federated States of Micronesia.
Yap is an island in the Federated States of Micronesia, in the Pacific Ocean. It’s ringed by coral reefs that are home to manta rays and sharks. Huge pieces of ancient stone money and traditional thatch-roofed meeting houses dot villages like Kaday and Wanyan. In Colonia town, the Yap Living History Museum explores Micronesian culture through dancing and handicrafts. The Tamilyog Trail winds through dense forest.
#VicStefanu
EXPLORING YAP (MICRONESIA) and its incredible STONE MONEY (RAI), Pacific Ocean ????
SUBSCRIBE: - Let's go to a remote area of the island of YAP (one of the 4 states of the Federated States of Micronesia) in the Pacific Ocean and let's walk around and admire the ancient 'stone money' rocks that just lay around and have been here for centuries. Vic Stefanu, vstefanu@yahoo.com. Yap or Wa′ab classically refers to an island located in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean, and a part of the Federated States of Micronesia.
Yap is an island in the Federated States of Micronesia, in the Pacific Ocean. It’s ringed by coral reefs that are home to manta rays and sharks. Huge pieces of ancient stone money and traditional thatch-roofed meeting houses dot villages like Kaday and Wanyan. In Colonia town, the Yap Living History Museum explores Micronesian culture through dancing and handicrafts. The Tamilyog Trail winds through dense forest.
#VicStefanu
Yap's Stone Money & Traditional Home, Yap,Federated States Of Micronesia 99thNation VisitedJune 2019
Yap's Stone Money & Traditional Home, Yap,Federated States Of Micronesia 99thNation VisitedJune 2019
Stone Money in Yap, Micronesia
Stone Money in Yap, Micronesia
The Micronesian island of Yap is known for its stone money, known as Rai, or Fei: large doughnut-shaped, carved disks of calcite, up to 4 meter in diameter. The smallest can be as little as 3.5 centimetres in diameter. Rai, or stone money , are more than 6,000 large, circular stone disks carved out of limestone formed from aragonite and calcite crystals. Rai stones were quarried on several of the Micronesian islands, mainly Palau, but briefly on Guam as well, and transported to Yap for use as money. They have been used in trade by the Yapese as a form of currency.
The monetary system of Yap relies on an oral history of ownership. Because these stones are too large to move, buying an item with one simply involves agreeing that the ownership has changed. As long as the transaction is recorded in the oral history, it will now be owned by the person to whom it is passed and no physical movement of the stone is required.
Rai stones are circular disks with a hole in the middle. The stones vary widely in size. The largest are 3.6 metres in diameter and 0.5 metres thick and weigh 4 tonnes. The largest rai stone is located on Rumung island, near Riy village. Smaller rai stones might have a diameter of from 7 to 8 centimetres.
The extrinsic value of a specific stone is based on not only its size and craftsmanship, but also its history. If many people—or no one at all—died when the specific stone was transported, or a famous sailor brought it in, the value of the rai stone increases by reason of its anecdotal heft.
Rai stones were, and still are, used in rare important social transactions, such as marriage, inheritance, political deals, sign of an alliance, ransom of the battle dead, or, rarely, in exchange for food. Many of them are placed in front of meetinghouses or along pathways. The physical location of the stone is often not significant. Although the ownership of a particular stone might change, the stone itself is rarely moved due to its weight and risk of damage. The names of previous owners are passed down to the new one. In one instance, a large rai being transported by canoe and outrigger was accidentally dropped and sank to the sea floor. Although it was never seen again, everyone agreed that the rai must still be there, so it continued to be transacted as genuine currency. What is important is that ownership of the rai is clear to everyone, not that the rai is physically transferred or even physically accessible to either party in the transfer.
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Micronesia - Yap - Beetle Nut Heaven
Yap is around 400 kilometers north of Palau. It is barely untouched and is highly traditional. Yap is particularly famous for its historic jumbo sized stone money
Yap, Island Of Stone Money
visityap.com
Yap, The Island Of Stone Money
Stacking giant stone money - Rai of Yap!
For 100s of years, the island of Yap used giant stone discs as money. This interesting form of money is a lesson on human behavior, and why things don't work like we would want them to:
Yap, Island Of Stone Money Rull Stone Money Bank, Yap, FSM 99th Nation Visited June 2019
Yap, Island Of Stone Money Rull Stone Money Bank, Yap, FSM 99th Nation Visited June 2019
Canvasback's Work on The Island of Yap
Our work on the island of Yap. For more information, visit: canvasback.org
Money: An Economist's Perspective - The Curious Case of the Yap Stones (Part 4)
Classroom Economist
Symbol of Wealth In Galil Stone Money Bank, Yap, FSM 99th Nation Visited June 2019
Symbol of Wealth In Galil Stone Money Bank, Yap, Federated States Of Micronesia 99th Nation Visited
Culture: Yap Day 2007, moving stone money
Yap Islanders (Yapese) moving stone money by traditional custom. Yap is the only culture in the world with stone money. Since the stone money never leaves Yap, Yapese are also the only culture that still has all the money it ever made.
Yap, Micronesia - Wonders of Yap part 1
A fantastic three part film showing the beauty of the island of Yap both above and below the surface!
The Gorongs of Yap
Thomas and Berna Gorong of Kaday Village, Yap, talk about the Micronesia Challenge. Copyright 2012 Micronesia Challenge. Production date: May 28, 2012.
Giant Stone Money Discovered as the 'Original Bitcoin'
A University of Oregon study traces cryptocurrency’s origins back to an ancient stone money system used in western Micronesia.
My Island of Yap
Yap Island, Micronesia
The Island of Yap
island of yap
Culture TV - Yap Day - A Cultural Highlight On The Micronesian Island of Yap
Yap is a land steeped in ancient traditions, fascinating legends, and peopled by one of the most distinctive cultures in the Pacific.Dance is an art form in Yap. Through dance, legends are passed down, history is recorded and entertainment is created.
The Yap Day Festival of Micronesia is one of the most important celebrations of the Yapese culture. All four of the Yap islands contribute to the merriment during the festival which make the customs and traditions performed here even more special. Yap Day is a carnival of joy and fulfillment, and the Yapese are deeply spiritual people, which reflects very strongly during the Yap Festival.
THis is a short documentary about this fascinating culture of YAP- the island of the stone money.
REWIND: Yap Day
Step back on time and learn about a holiday celebration of people, customs, and traditions of one of the four Island States of the Federated States of Micronesia.