Ejem̗l̗o̗k Pad Eo Ad
Shine Benkim first heard “Ejem̗l̗o̗k Pad Eo Ad” from a principal at the first high school graduation in the Marshall Islands in 1965 during the Trust Territory period. The song was written by Johnny Silk, a songwriter in the Marshall Islands, about friendship and departing. It also includes religious aspects, singing “Jen reil̗ak n̄an Irooj,” which means, “look up to the Lord.” Christianity was introduced in the Marshall Islands by US/American and Native Hawai’ian missionaries in the mid-19th century. First brought to Ebon Atoll, according to Shine, the people of Jaluit are the ones who spread the Gospel to other atolls. Christianity is now considered part of Marshallese traditional culture, or manit.
AELŌN̄ IN JALOOJ
The song “Aelon in Jaluit” is a very old Marshallese song. It tells the story of three very competitive brothers who seek knowledge to better themselves in the argument. The Marshallese phrase “Bukarar” or “Jaluit Bukarar” describes how the brothers refuse to listen to each other and won’t back down or concede.. This kind of stubbornness or “Bukarar” is similar to the concept of “standing one’s ground” no matter what, which can be viewed as a positive or negative attribute, depending on context. The figure, Lenewe, is a demon of the island “Lejeron̄” and Jibukwi is one of the three brothers who was eventually consumed by Lenewe. The three brothers use magic to escape their encounters and also to seek knowledge. The moral of the story is to always seek knowledge and ask questions from others to have greater understanding. It demonstrates the importance of collective knowledge and the process of seeking and gathering input, and thus gaining wisdom, from the group. In this case, the individual brother who did not listen was the one taken by the demon.
IJ IAKWE L̗O̗K AELŌN̄ EO AŌ
“IJ IAKWE L̗O̗K AELŌN̄ EO AŌ” is a song that describes the deep connection one feels for their home atoll/island and people. All the memories, gatherings, surroundings, and their treasured culture is what connects them to the land and to their families. The people love their Island so much they never want to leave and feel as if it is best for them to die there. Though land mass in the Marshall Islands is relatively small, the importance of land is central in Marshallese culture due to the wholistic view of Aelon Kein Ad and the connection one feels to the ocean, land, sky, flora and fauna.
©Songs of Our Atolls, a MEI Project. Please do not reproduce without permission.
These songs, stories, transcriptions, translations, and studio work were collected as part of the Marshallese Educational Initiative's project, Songs of Our Atolls. Songs is intended to bring Marshallese elders and youth together to facilitate jitdam kapeel, and to share Marshallese traditional culture with the community and general public. This project was funded by CACHE in 2020-2021. It is ongoing.
We are grateful to elders Shine Benkim and Mina and Reklen Aister for sharing their songs and stories and their time. Thanks also to MARK Harmony and MEI staff members for their hard work.