From silent to salient: Re-engaging local stories of Chuukese women

Abstract

Chuukese history is an area that continues to be underdeveloped, and the limited written history is dominated by a history of colonial presence in the islands. This colonial history, however, is patriarchal and privileges masculine voices, perceptions, and presence with little regard to women's presence. It further depicts Chuukese women as silent, submissive and hapless. Such depictions have become widely accepted not only in historical literature but also by Chuukese themselves. This research study, then seeks to deliver an indigenous history of Chuuk with a central focus on women. To provide a well-rounded history, I prioritize oral history while acknowledging the importance of a broader literature women's history. In this research, I argue that contrary to the prevailing mis/re/presentations of Chuukese women as silent and submissive, Chuukese local history presents women as historically important, salient and powerful. Instead of doing a linear history, I opt for a thematic approach using three local perspectives of Chuukese women as Nien Aroor (women as managers), which recognizes women as leaders, Nien Sufon (women of respect) emphasizes cultural values, traditional knowledge and epistemologies, and Pwochen Fanimwar (the wife and lover) focuses on family kinship. Nien Aroor perspective uses the historiography approach, incorporating oral history. Nien Sufon uses ethnographic research and participatory observations. Pwochen Fanimwar privileges the creative approach and uses Chuukese music, chants, dance, and arts. As an outcome, I hope to re-engage Chuukese women and their voices in rewriting a responsible history of Chuukese women at the same time contributing to the discipline of Micronesian History and a ground enhancing the case for local history as valid historiography.