Marshall Islands Legends and Stories

“When I heard there was an American guy coming to Namdrik to get stories from me I was thinking, Why? What is he going to do with these stories? Then when you brought me and Jia to Hawaii, and I saw the play you made from them, it made me think about my grandfather. Watching the play was like listening to my grandfather. It was really good because it meant to me the stories are still alive. “I thought maybe we couldn’t hold onto our story, but you came to our island and we worked together to keep our culture and customs alive so we won’t lose them.”

-Iban Edwin, Namdrik Atoll, to Daniel A. Kelin II

In Marshall Islands Legends and Stories, Daniel A. Kelin Il preserves the qualities of oral storytelling in 50 stories recorded from 18 storytellers on 8 islands and atolls. This lively collection includes something for everyone: origin stories, tales of mejenkwaad and other demons, tricksters, disobedient children, wronged husbands, foolish suitors, and reunited families-all relaying the importance of traditional Marshallese values and customs.

Profiles of the storytellers, a glossary, and a pronunciation guide enrich the collection.