Across All Micronesia Trivia Quiz

Answer: Sailing east from southern Asia

Although the exact date of settlement for the various islands is disputed, and there is some debate as to whether the first settlement of the four islands of the Federated States of Micronesia came from mainland Asia or from Polynesia, current thought is that it was around 1000 BCE that sailors from southeast Asia formed the first settlements on the western islands, with eastern portions being settled somewhat later by Tahitian explorers.

After the Asian settlers had established themselves on Yap, it became a base for further migration to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Kiribati and the Marshall Islands.

Answer: Yes

Skilled sailors, the early Yapese brought sparkly limestone disks back with them from other islands in the vicinity, primarily from Palau, where there is evidence they were being mined from around 500 CE. The discs have a hole in the centre to facilitate transport - a pole placed through it made it easier for several people to carry it back to the canoes, ready to take home with them.

The size of the stones varies dramatically, from small ones around 4cm in diameter up to large ones around 4m in diameter.

The value of a stone depends on its size, its carving and its history - ownership by a famous person adds to the value, as does increased size and skillful carving of the rai stone. Rai stones are not used as currency in day-to-day transactions, but are used as part of the ritual in important transactions such as a marriage or a political alliance. Because of their size, they are not usually physically moved when their ownership changes.

Answer: Venice of the Pacific

The central area of Nan Madol was about 1.5 km by 500 m, surrounded by a stone wall. Inside it, over 100 artificial islands were built from stone and coral, with tidal canals between them. The island city offshore from Pohnpei, and adjacent to Temwen Island, was probably established to provide residence for the nobility, and for use in religious and political ceremonies. Keeping politicians together there would have been an efficient way of making it more difficult for them to foment opposition to the rulers.

The islands were not capable of growing food, nor was there any fresh water - all supplies had to be delivered from the mainland. The enforced subservience of the main islanders in providing this service may have contributed to the downfall of the Saudeleur dynasty in the early years of the 17th century.

Answer: Isokelekel

As is the case for most legendary figures, there are many variants to the story of Isokelekel. What they have in common is his taking control of Pohnpei away from the Saudeleurs, and changing the social structure from their highly centralized system to one in which tribal leaders worked cooperatively.

This introduced what is called the Period of Nahnmwarki, which lasted through most of the 17th century. As well as a more decentralized government, this era saw the establishment of hereditary priestly titles.

The nahnmwarki system is still in operation at the local level, having survived several centuries of colonization. Coming from the eastern islands, Isokelekel and his followers introduced Polynesian bloodlines and cultural traditions into the predominantly Malaysian background of the earlier residents of the western islands.

There is a sacred site on the island of Temwen that is reputed to be the burial site of Isokelekel, although there is another story saying his body was buried at sea.

Answer: Spanish East Indies

The Spanish East Indies were an extensive region that included islands now known as the Philippines (where the capital, Manila, was located), Guam, the Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, and parts of Taiwan and the Moluccas. Until 1821, they were considered to be controlled from Mexico City as part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain; after Mexican independence, Madrid took over direct control. For much of this time the Spaniards showed little interest in the Federated States of Micronesia - there were far better trade prospects in other parts of the Spanish East Indies - and the local tribal government continued to be the way things were run. During the 19th century Spanish missions were established on some of the islands, and the Roman Catholic faith was spread through the islands. Subsequent work by American Congregationalist missionaries has meant that both Protestants and Catholics have large followings.

There is no official state religion, and small groups of a wide range of faiths can be found on the islands.

Answer: Germany

The German-Spanish Treaty, signed in 1899, transferred control over the remnants of the Spanish East Indies to Germany, at which time they became part of German New Guinea. Germany was a bit of a latecomer in the European rush to master the Pacific, establishing the protectorate of German New Guinea in 1884.

It was based in the northeastern part of the island of New Guinea, called Kaiser-Wilhelmsland, which approximately corresponds with the northern half of modern Papua New Guinea. Germany remained in control of the area until World War I, when various allied forces captured the different regions. Control of the various parts of the former German New Guinea was allocated as part of the Treaty of Versailles which ended World War I.

Answer: Japan

During World War I, Australians had captured the southern parts of German New Guinea, and Japanese most of the northern islands. The League of Nations gave Japan administrative control of the islands now known as Palau, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands.

The similarity between the flag of Japan and that of the South Sea Mandate is striking. During the time when the islands were part of the Empire of Japan, mining, fishing, sugar cane production and other tropical agriculture became significant industries.

There was also a large shift in demographics, with Japanese immigrants outnumbering the indigenous population about two to one. A sizable minority of residents with mixed Japanese ancestry still remains.

Answer: Chuuk

Chuuk Lagoon (then called Truk Lagoon) is an atoll whose reef forms a large natural harbour which the Japanese used as one of their main naval bases for the South Pacific. As well as anchorage in the lagoon for ships, the small islands in the region had airstrips, seaplane bases, repair shops, communications stations, and armaments to defend the complex. Early in the morning of 17 February 1944, American planes flew from the newly-captured Marshall Islands to start an attack that would last for three days, and leave over 50 ships and over 200 aircraft lying on the ocean floor.

Although most of the larger Japanese vessels had been moved to Palau a few days earlier, this was still a serious blow to the Japanese forces, and enabled the subsequent American drive north through the Pacific islands towards Japan.

Answer: United Nations

Geographically, the UN-established trust territory was the same as the South Sea Mandate. Its flag had six stars to represent the six states which formed it - Pohnpei (of which Kosrae was then a part), Chuuk (then called Truk), Yap, Palau, the Marshall Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands.

It was designated as a Security Trusteeship, meaning that the UN Security Council would have the ultimate say in the handling of the trusteeship. The United States was made the trustee nation, and given responsibility for overseeing the region's progress towards independence.

The trusteeship was wound up in 1990, with all the member states having established themselves as independent nations.

Answer: 1979

The FSM constitution was ratified in October of 1978, and became effective on 10 May 1979; 10 May is celebrated as Constitution Day. Palau, the Marshall Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands made other arrangements for themselves. In 1986 the FSM finished the transition to independence when they signed a Compact of Free Association with the United States, which was subsequently renewed in 2003 for a further 20 years.

This compact means that the United States provides financial and military support to the FSM, and a number of privileges to its citizens such as access to disaster relief, in exchange for being allowed to operate military bases on the islands.

There has been criticism of the implementation of the compact, as well as the operation of the preceding trusteeship - many feel that the United States has not provided as much support as is appropriate given the military value of the bases they have secured.

In a nation whose economy is dominated by subsistence farming, over a quarter of the population live below the official poverty line.