The Place of Ulithi in the Yap Empire

Anthropologists have long been aware of the existence of the miniature empire of Yap. Until now, however, we have imperfectly understood the nature of the bonds which have held together this insular domain. Previous accounts, especially by those Germans of the Thilenius expedition who investigated the ethnology of the Caroline Islands 40 years ago, have been inadequate. A suitable understanding of the native system of interrelationships is a matter of importance to the government of the United States, for the area in question is part of the Trust Territory of Micronesia, and America has the responsibility of satisfying the United Nations that our administration of these islands is an enlightened one. It is fortunate that the Coordinated Investigation of Micronesian Anthropology has provided us with the chance to become better acquainted with the facts. As a participant in that piece of research I have been able to draw up a picture, which, while painted with pigments from Ulithi Atoll alone, appears to be...