Kolonia, Yap Island, Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia, Micronesia
Accession Date:
24 Oct 2014
Collection Date:
27 Oct 1973
Notes:
From donor: "Shell money given to Connie (Bird) Mays and Jerry Mays as a wedding gift on October 27, 1973 by High Chief Rafael Tol (Kolonia, Yap). In Yapese tradition, a man must have enough money to buy his wife. Jerry Mays lived with Tol during his two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Tol met Connie as she came into the capital (Kolonia) during the summer to teach English classes at Yap High School. Tol told Jerry the shell money would pay for his bride."
Large, flat piece of off-white irridescent shell, with fiber handle attached to one end.