Marshallese Feminism: A Story of Female Centrality in Cultural Configuration

International Institute of Academic Research & Publications International Conference on Economics, Business, Tourism & Social Sciences ICEBTS-2022 February 18, 2022 | Malacca, Malaysia (Online/Virtual)

Marshallese Feminism: A Story of Female Centrality in Cultural Configuration Desmond Narain Doulatram Liberal Arts Department, College of the Marshall Islands, Majuro, Marshall Islands, ddoulatram@cmi.edu

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Abstract Marshallese Feminism is a product of negotiation and re-negotiation stemming from political and cultural priorities. Modelled after traditional archetypes, there are two types of feminism apparent within Marshallese society described in the oral traditions (Bwebwenato). One stems from the feminine leadership example of the Goddesses Liwatuonmour/Jined Ilo Kobo, Lijebake, and Lidrepdrepju who led on sight as Lejmanjuri (ranking lady steps on) becoming focal points of decision making and the other stems from the feminine leadership style of Goddess Liktanur who led behind the scenes as a Kora Mejno (literally translated as physically weak woman) via her Manmaronron (literally translated as physically abled man), what Franz Hezel describes as a “shadow governor/manipulator.” The 21st century social relevance of these two concepts of leadership highlight how these feminism models are constantly re-negotiated today by women in the Marshall Islands that perform political roles characterizing Marshallese women’s social relevance in governance particularly in the realms of cultural dominance. This paper provides a brief anthropological record on how feminism and the centrality of the female define and decide political and cultural priorities of the Marshall Islands through the crucial roles of women in dictating the Marshall Islands’ matrilineal Jowi (clan) culture which often dictate the land tenure system of cultural configuration.

Key Words: Marshall Islands; Feminism, Tradition, Clan Culture, Land Tenure, Oral Traditions

Goddesses in Legends and in Marshallese Cosmology • Lijabkanira, Lijelababub, Limokein, Lidrepdrepju, Limdunanij, Lejman, Lijebake, Liwetonmour, Lijakwe, Limaninpit, Lieom, LIKTANUR, Jined Ilo Kobo, LiTarmelu,Limanman etc.

• So powerful are Women in Configuring Culture that the Language Revolves Around Them as Does our Genealogies Where Lineage and Clan Membership alongside Land Ownership is Traced through One’s Mother not Father

Matrilineal Culture

• An Kora Aelon Kein • LIKTANUR—->Auriga • LiManMan—->Polaris

• These Islands belong to Women

Leroij LiWaito of Arno

Marshall Islands Congress

First Lady

First Lady

First Lady • Leading Through Partnership to Solidify Christian Values of Marriage

Leroijlaplap • Precedent

Parliamentarians

Ambassadors & Judges

References • Images—->Google Images, Office of the President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Pasifika Renaissance, Pacific Digital Library, World Bank, United Nations, Marshall Islands Court House, and Christian Science Monitor.