Yap - Culture

Part of the Federated States of Micronesia, Yap is situated in the Western Carolines, between Guam and Palau. It is off the main tourist route and is made up of four main islands - Yap proper, Tomil-Gagil, Map, and Rumung, plus ten small islands, all within the boundaries of a beautiful coral reef.

The landscape consists of rolling hills with lowlands covered with thick jungle-like vegetation. Most of the coastal areas are mangrove, with occasional coral beaches. Like other FSM islands, there is a coral reef, so snorkelling is popular, as is diving, in the crystal-clear lagoon where giant manta rays are known to school year-round.

The town of Colonia on Yap Proper is the capital and is slightly more urbanized than the village areas.

Yap has 130 outer islands stretching nearly 600 miles east of Yap Island. Most of the outer islands are coral atolls and are sparsely populated by a people different from the Yapese in culture and language.

Dance is an art form in Yap. Through dance, legends are passed down, history is recorded and entertainment is created. The dances of Yap are raucous, colourful and well- orchestrated. Men and women both start at an early age to learn this special Yap tradition.

Yap is famous for its clear waters where schools of tuna, dolphins and reef fish are found in abundance. Observing the greatly varied marine life on the reefs and in the channels has become a must for divers around the world. While clear waters and sheer drop offs certainly describe Yap's diving, one fact stands above the rest. Yap is the world's foremost destination for seeing manta rays up close and personal. There is no other place on earth where they can be seen on such a consistent basis year 'round. This fact has catapulted Yap to the top on all lists of the finest diving attractions in the world.

 This traditional life carries into the villages where fishing, sailing and weaving are still important parts of everyday life. Grass skirts for the women and thug's, a type of loincloth, for the men are the basic garb in the small towns that sit in tranquil settings around the island. Yap has a number of small hotels, including the finest dedicated dive resort in Micronesia, that cater to divers, sightseers and those wanting a closer look at the culture. The island's rolling green hills and lush mangroves make Yap a true tropical Eden. These can be seen every day while heading out to explore the sea. Or an ocean kayak tour can be arranged to allow the visitor to look at these wandering passageways in a very special way.

The people of Yap are shy but warm. They don't mind visitors who are respectful and appreciative of their lifestyle. With a little coaxing, the visitor may soon find his or herself helping with a chore, like launching a canoe or weaving a basket to carry coconuts. This special kind of island encounter is not unusual on Yap and is part of the Yapese spirit that makes the island so enticing and enchanting.