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EveryParampara

Traditions of Kolonia

The main town on Pohnpei, where the sakau kava ritual and the ruins of Nan Madol are alive in the island's customs.

Kolonia is the main town on Pohnpei, in the Federated States of Micronesia. Pohnpei is known for its chiefly titles, its ritual drink sakau and the great stone ruins of Nan Madol. The island's chiefs still have a role in village and ceremonial life.

Kolonia: Kolonia Town looking down from Sokehs Ridge
Photo: Gargoylepni at en.wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Sakau and the feast

Sakau, the local kava, is pounded on a flat stone and the juice is squeezed through hibiscus bark into a half coconut shell. It is served in order of rank at feasts and offered to the chief first. At a large feast, called kamadipw, vast piles of yams and pigs are presented to the chief.

At the table

Breadfruit, yam, taro and fish are the staples. Sakau, which is bitter, is drunk without conversation. Fish and coconut milk dishes, banana and pumpkin dessert are shared. Feasts are prepared in the earth oven and presented on large platforms of banana leaves.

Signature traditions of Kolonia

Also part of it, and being written: Sakau (The Pohnpeian kava.), Nan Madol (The ancient stone city.), Breadfruit (A staple of Pohnpei feasts, roasted or pounded.).

A trail idea for Kolonia

  1. Nan Madol Boat out to the island ruins.
  2. Sakau market See the beating of the root.
  3. Kolonia market Buy breadfruit and bananas.
About this page

Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, markets and festival dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.

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MealBreakfastLunchDinnerSupperTea-time and snacking customsTea, coffee and drinking ceremoniesSweets given and sharedFeasts and festival mealsFasting and breaking the fast

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