How did ancient Marshallese navigate vast ocean expanses without modern technology. What were stick charts and how were they used for wayfinding. Why are these traditional navigation tools still relevant today.
The Origins and Purpose of Marshall Islands Stick Charts
The Marshall Islands, located in the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, have a rich maritime history dating back over 3,000 years. The early Micronesian settlers of these islands faced a unique challenge – navigating between more than 1,100 islands spread across 29 coral atolls. Without modern navigational tools like compasses or GPS, they developed an ingenious solution: stick charts.
Stick charts, known as “rebbelib” or “mattang” in Marshallese, were intricate maps made from coconut fronds and cowrie shells. These charts represented ocean swells, currents, and island locations, serving as crucial navigational aids for Marshallese sailors.
What exactly were stick charts?
Stick charts were portable wooden frameworks, typically constructed from the midribs of coconut palm fronds. These sticks were tied together to form a lattice-like structure, with cowrie shells or small pebbles attached at key points to represent islands. The arrangement of the sticks depicted ocean swells and currents, while the overall shape of the chart corresponded to a particular area of the Marshall Islands.
The Art and Science of Marshallese Navigation
Marshallese navigation was a complex skill that combined intimate knowledge of the ocean with acute observation and memory. Stick charts were just one tool in the navigator’s arsenal, complementing other techniques such as reading the stars, observing bird flight patterns, and feeling the motion of ocean swells.
How did Marshallese navigators use stick charts?
Contrary to what one might expect, stick charts were not carried on voyages. Instead, they were used as teaching tools and memory aids. Navigators would study these charts before a journey, memorizing the patterns of swells and currents. During the voyage, they would rely on their mental map and their ability to read the ocean’s behavior.
- Interpreting ocean swells: The arrangement of sticks represented the patterns of ocean swells, which navigators could feel and interpret while at sea.
- Locating islands: Shells or pebbles on the chart represented islands, helping navigators memorize their relative positions.
- Understanding currents: The overall structure of the chart provided information about prevailing currents in different areas.
Types of Marshallese Stick Charts
Marshallese navigators developed several types of stick charts, each serving a specific purpose in their wayfinding system. The three main types were:
- Mattang: These were general charts used for instruction and illustration of basic principles of ocean swells and currents.
- Meddo: These charts represented a much larger area, often covering the entire Marshall Islands archipelago.
- Rebbelib: The most complex type, rebbelib charts combined features of both mattang and meddo, providing detailed information for specific voyages.
What made the Meddo stick chart unique?
The Meddo stick chart, like the one mentioned in the original text from the first half of the 20th century, was particularly significant. It covered a larger area than the instructional mattang charts, providing a more comprehensive view of the Marshall Islands region. Meddo charts were essential for planning longer voyages and understanding the broader patterns of ocean behavior across the archipelago.
The Cultural Significance of Stick Chart Navigation
Stick chart navigation was more than just a practical skill for the Marshallese people – it was an integral part of their cultural identity and heritage. The knowledge of how to create and use these charts was passed down through generations, typically within families of skilled navigators.
Why were stick charts kept secret?
The knowledge embedded in stick charts was considered sacred and was often kept secret within navigator families. This secrecy served several purposes:
- Preserving specialized knowledge: By limiting access to navigational information, families could maintain their status as skilled voyagers.
- Protecting trade routes: Keeping navigational secrets helped protect valuable trade routes and fishing grounds.
- Maintaining cultural traditions: The secrecy around stick charts helped preserve this unique aspect of Marshallese culture.
The Decline and Revival of Traditional Navigation
With the arrival of Western colonizers and the introduction of modern navigation technology, the use of stick charts began to decline in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, recent decades have seen a renewed interest in these traditional navigation methods.
How are stick charts being preserved today?
Efforts to preserve and revive the knowledge of stick chart navigation include:
- Cultural education programs: Many schools in the Marshall Islands now teach traditional navigation techniques, including the use of stick charts.
- Museum collections: Institutions like The Metropolitan Museum of Art preserve and display historical stick charts, raising awareness of this unique cultural practice.
- Contemporary artworks: Some modern Marshallese artists create stick charts as a way to connect with their heritage and keep the tradition alive.
The Science Behind Stick Chart Navigation
While stick charts might seem primitive compared to modern GPS systems, they represent a sophisticated understanding of oceanography and wave dynamics. Recent scientific studies have confirmed the accuracy and effectiveness of traditional Marshallese navigation techniques.
How accurate were stick charts?
Stick charts were remarkably accurate for their time. They allowed navigators to:
- Predict wave patterns: The charts accurately represented the complex interference patterns of ocean swells, which modern wave models have only recently been able to simulate.
- Locate islands from a distance: Skilled navigators could detect the presence of islands up to 30 miles away by observing changes in wave patterns.
- Navigate vast distances: Using stick charts and other traditional techniques, Marshallese navigators could successfully voyage hundreds of miles across open ocean.
Stick Charts in the Modern World
While traditional navigation methods have largely been replaced by modern technology, the principles behind stick charts continue to fascinate scientists, anthropologists, and maritime enthusiasts. The enduring legacy of these charts extends beyond their original purpose, influencing various fields in unexpected ways.
How do stick charts inspire modern innovations?
The principles behind stick chart navigation have inspired developments in several areas:
- Oceanography: The Marshallese understanding of wave dynamics has informed modern studies of ocean currents and wave behavior.
- Cognitive mapping: Research into how Marshallese navigators mentally map their environment has contributed to our understanding of spatial cognition.
- Sustainable navigation: As concerns about over-reliance on GPS technology grow, some modern sailors are rediscovering traditional navigation methods as a backup skill.
Collecting and Preserving Marshallese Stick Charts
As mentioned in the original text, Marshallese stick charts from the first half of the 20th century are now valuable collector’s items. These artifacts provide a tangible link to the rich maritime history of the Marshall Islands and offer insights into a unique form of indigenous knowledge.
What should collectors know about acquiring stick charts?
For those interested in collecting or studying Marshallese stick charts, several factors are important to consider:
- Authenticity: Given the rarity and value of original stick charts, it’s crucial to verify the authenticity and provenance of any piece.
- Conservation: Stick charts are often made from organic materials and require careful preservation to prevent deterioration.
- Cultural sensitivity: Collectors should be aware of the cultural significance of these objects and the ethical considerations surrounding their acquisition and display.
- Legal considerations: The export of cultural artifacts from the Marshall Islands may be regulated, and collectors should ensure they comply with all relevant laws.
Institutions like The Metropolitan Museum of Art play a crucial role in preserving and studying these remarkable artifacts. The museum’s collection includes several examples of Marshallese stick charts, providing researchers and the public with opportunities to learn about this fascinating navigational tradition.
The Future of Traditional Navigation in the Marshall Islands
As the world grapples with climate change and rising sea levels, the low-lying Marshall Islands face existential threats. In this context, traditional navigation skills and the knowledge embedded in stick charts take on new significance.
Why are traditional navigation skills still relevant today?
The revival of traditional navigation in the Marshall Islands serves several important purposes:
- Cultural preservation: As rising seas threaten to displace Marshallese communities, maintaining traditional knowledge becomes crucial for preserving cultural identity.
- Environmental awareness: Traditional navigation techniques rely on intimate knowledge of the ocean environment, fostering a deep connection with nature that can inform conservation efforts.
- Sustainable practices: The principles of traditional navigation, which rely on renewable resources and deep environmental understanding, align with modern sustainability goals.
- Disaster preparedness: In a region vulnerable to natural disasters, traditional navigation skills can provide a vital backup to modern technology in emergency situations.
As we look to the future, the stick charts of the Marshall Islands stand as powerful symbols of human ingenuity and adaptability. They remind us of the profound knowledge that indigenous cultures hold and the importance of preserving and learning from traditional wisdom in our rapidly changing world.
Navigational Chart (Rebbilib) | Marshallese people
Navigational Chart (Rebbilib) | Marshallese people | The Metropolitan Museum of Art
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Artwork Details
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Title:
Navigational Chart (Rebbilib)
Date:
19th–early 20th century
Geography:
Republic of the Marshall Islands
Culture:
Marshallese people
Medium:
Coconut midrib, fiber
Dimensions:
H.
35 1/4 x W. 43 1/4 x D. 1 in. (89.5 x 109.9 x 2.5 cm)
Classification:
Basketry-Implements
Credit Line:
The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Gift of the Estate of Kay Sage Tanguy, 1963
Accession Number:
1978.412.826
Learn more about this artwork
How to Make a Navigational Chart
Follow along with Carter, age 11, and learn how to make a navigational chart chart to show friends and family how to find your favorite things.
Connections: Maps
Medieval art curator Melanie Holcomb talks about how maps help her make sense of the world.
Timeline of Art History
Museum Publications
Oceania: The Shape of Time
Oceania: Art of the Pacific Islands in The Metropolitan Museum of Art
How to Read Oceanic Art
Related Artworks
- By Marshallese
- By Micronesian
- The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
- Coconut
- From Marshall Islands
- From Oceania
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The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing at The Met
The Met’s collection of art of the peoples of sub-Saharan Africa, the Pacific Islands, and North, Central, and South America comprises more than eleven thousand works of art of varied materials and types, representing diverse cultural traditions from as early as 3000 B.
C.E. to the present.
The Stick Chart Navigation of Marshall Islands
The Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean was settled by the Micronesians more than three thousand years ago. These early settlers had to make frequent journeys between more than 1,100 islands spread out over 29 coral atolls. They lacked modern navigation equipment such as compasses and sextants, but possessed an incredibly detailed knowledge of the sea, the waves, the swells and the currents which they utilized to develop a simple yet sophisticated system of navigation made up of sticks and shells.
These so called “stick charts” consist of thin strips of coconut frond and midribs or pandanus root bound together in straight or curved lines using coconut fiber to create a frame like structure. At various places in the frame, small sea shells were tied together by creating junctions, using two or more sticks.
The shells and junctions represent the location of islands, whereas the sticks represent currents and swells in the sea. In essence, stick charts are crude maps of the ocean.
Photo credit: Walter Meayers Edwards/National Geographic
The curved sticks show where swells are deflected by an island. The short, straight strips indicate currents near islands. The longer strips may indicate the direction in which certain islands are to be found, and the small cowry shells represent the islands themselves.
Unlike modern maps, stick charts are not literal representation of the sea, but more an abstract illustration of the ways that ocean swells interact with land. Indeed, individual charts varied so much in form and interpretation that many times a stick chart could only be read by the person who made it. The charts were also not used for navigation in the way we use maps or charts today. Seldom did sailors carry the charts with them when they made their journeys, or even if they did, they probably did not consult stick charts on their long journeys.
Instead, navigators memorized the chart before the journey was made and then used their senses and memory to guide them on voyages.
The Marshallese had an astounding knowledge of the ocean swells. They would crouch down or lie prone in the canoe to feel how the canoe was being pitched and rolled by underlying swells. By simply feeling how their canoe roll, they were able to identify and distinguish between four different ocean swells, which they called rilib, kaelib, bungdockerik and bundockeing.
The rilib is the strongest of the four ocean swells. It is generated by the northeast trade winds and is present during the entire year. The kaelib swell is weaker than the rilib and could only be detected by knowledgeable persons, but it is also present year round. The bungdockerik is present year round as well and arises in the southwest. This swell is often as strong as the rilib in the southern islands. The bundockeing swell is the weakest of the four swells, and is mainly felt in the northern islands.
Not everybody knew how to make or read the charts. It was a closely guarded secret that only a select few rulers knew, and the knowledge was only passed on from father to son. When making journeys, fifteen or more canoes would sail together in a squadron, accompanied by a leader pilot skilled in use of the charts.
This unique piloting system was only known to the outside after 1862 when a resident missionary published a description. The use of stick charts came to end after World War 2. The Polynesians still make them but only to sell them as souvenir to tourists.
“The stick charts are a significant contribution to the history of cartography because they represent a system of mapping ocean swells, which was never before accomplished,” writes Wikipedia. “They also use different materials from those common in other parts of the world. They are an indication that ancient maps may have looked very different, and encoded different features from the earth, than the maps we use today.
”
This type of chart is known as a mattang, and is specifically made for the purpose of training people selected to be navigators. Such charts depict general information about swell movements around one or more small islands. Photo credit: Trustees of the British Museum/Khan Academy
Modern copy of a stick chart, acquired in 1991 in Majuro. Photo credit: marshall.csu.edu.au
Modern copy of a stick chart, acquired in 1991 in Majuro. Photo credit: marshall.csu.edu.au
Photo credit: thenonist.com
Stick chart with location of various island mapped. Photo credit: thenonist.com
Photo credit: unknown/reddit
Photo credit: www.nla.gov.au
An unknown stick chart recovered from Marshall Islands. Photo credit: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
A stick chart displayed in the UK’s Science Museum. It’s 69 centimeters square and made of the midribs of palm fronds. Photo credit: Science Museum/Science & Society Picture Library
Sources: Wikipedia / Smithsonian
Types of incense
When the question of buying incense arises in front of a person for the first time, it is not at all surprising that he can become stumped.
The fact is that the quantity of goods on the corresponding market is very large and it is immediately difficult to figure out what is what. Let’s take a look at the main types of commercially available incense together.
Indian incense (incense sticks)
This is one of the most common types of incense in which there is coal mass or a mixture of fine chipping dust and crushed fragrant plants (masala). The base is applied to bamboo chips. It must be remembered that bamboo-based incense can cause an allergic reaction, so incense sticks do not need to be lit before bedtime. If you have allergies, the best way is to switch to baseless incense.
Charcoal-based sticks are usually deep black in color. When they burn, only the aroma of the filler oil is felt, because the charcoal itself smolders without any smell.
The smell of incense sticks with a masala base is not completely pure – when burned, the smell of a vegetable base is mixed with the oil.
The color of such sticks ranges from dark brown to light beige. Authentic Indian incense is usually packaged in a modest “dress”, but boasts high quality masala and oil. The competition for Indian fragrances is made by Taiwanese incense, which looks much brighter and more colorful, but has a cheaper and lower quality artificial oil as a filler.
Cone-shaped and “plasticine” incense
In the manufacture of cone-shaped incense, a mixture of herbs and a small amount of fir resin and juniper is used. The color of the cones can be natural, or it can be very bright red, blue, green, etc.
“Plasticine” incense is very rarely made on a chemical basis – a mixture of wax (honey), melted butter and resin is used for their production. This type of incense is convenient to use – it does not need a stand, because it can be stuck in any convenient place.
Both kinds of incense are used in large rooms because their smell is very strong.
Tibetan incense
Tibetan incense (cigarettes or sticks) are baseless incense, so they need a special stand.
They are made exclusively from natural ingredients (resin, flowers, oils, fruits, leaves, aromatic herbs, wood, spices, roots, etc.) that are collected in the Himalayas.
Another type of Tibetan incense is powdered sang incense. This 100% natural powder must be piled up and set on fire. Sang burns quickly and fills the air with a persistent aroma, so it is well suited for quickly fumigating large rooms.
Tibetan incense aromas are great for our winters, because they supply the body with joy, energy and warmth.
Chinese incense
One of the most common types is floral and sandalwood incense in the form of spirals (twisted thin circles without a base). The Chinese believe that such incense must be burned in a clockwise direction. They have a very light and subtle unobtrusive aroma with a mass of floral and sandalwood shades.
Japanese incense
This type of incense is not well known in Russia, but it boasts a large number of advantages.
These expensive incense are usually made in dense coils from a mixture of medicinal herbs, seaweed, tree resin and various essential oils. The predominant notes are aromas of flowers, fresh herbs and sandalwood.
Random entries
Every fragrance has something special to say about its wearer. That is why compositions with a long train are so loved, which attracts attention and arouses the admiration of others.
Woody fragrances are those whose sound is determined by notes of a predominantly woody group: cedar, oud, sandalwood, patchouli, cypress and many others.
Like a captivating book or a beautiful melody, every fragrance has an author.
Lip balm is an indispensable tool designed to protect, moisturize the skin of the lips so that they are healthy and do not experience discomfort caused by the sun, wind, cold air.
Incense sticks: why you need them and how to use them correctly
Articles
Product Reviews
Incense incense sticks: why you need it and how to use it correctly
If the energy is at zero, and your home no longer seems like a safe haven, it may be time to clean up the surrounding space, calm your feelings and replenish wasted resources. No, we’re not talking about spring cleaning and mint tea. We will talk about the power of incense sticks that can expel the accumulated negativity from your home and breathe new life into you. What is incense and why burn it in your apartment The Permanent Sales Store tells right now.
Aroma sticks are bamboo sticks soaked in essential oils that fill the space with fragrant smoke when burned.
Used for aromatization of the room, meditation, aromatherapy or cleansing the room of negative energy.
Incense with a high concentration of essential oils is a frequent guest at yoga or meditation sessions to create a calming atmosphere. When you feel emotionally overwhelmed and completely overwhelmed, the right incense can help calm the nervous system, improve brain function and mood.
How does this happen? When you inhale scent molecules, the olfactory system immediately sends signals to the limbic system of the brain, influencing emotions and memory processing.
In addition to the therapeutic effect, incense works at the household level to cleanse the space of negative energy and attract such positive things as financial well-being, success, love, passion, harmony. According to Feng Shui, incense sticks take their power from the element of Fire, designed to motivate and energize for new achievements.
Tibetan aroma sticks-masala, handmade, 20 pcs.
, art. NR 1395
Art.: 425-192
Aroma sticks in a rectangular package, 20 pcs., art. NR-20
Art.: 425-191
Saptachakra Aroma Sticks (chakra fragrance collection), 10 pcs, art. 5270SC
Art.: 425-190
Aroma sticks “Signs of the Zodiac”, 20 pcs, art. NR-30
Art.: 425-189
Are incense sticks harmful: we analyze the composition
Typical composition of an incense stick: herbal/wood powder, aromatic material, adhesive and bamboo fiber.
Oriental incense is made from plants such as patchouli, sandalwood and vetiver. They are collected, ground in a large mortar with a pestle, mixed with water to a paste-like consistency, and then a little saltpeter is added to ensure that the mixture burns evenly. Next, the product is given the desired shape and sent for sale.
In India, incense sticks are made from bamboo and coated with an aromatic mixture.
Bamboo fiber has excellent absorbent properties, and therefore it is abundantly impregnated with aromatic mixtures and exudes them evenly when burned.
You can buy incense sticks of two types – from natural or synthetic raw materials. In the first case, the wood base is impregnated with natural essential oils of flowers, fruits and trees, which are useful to inhale to restore vitality and energy. Secondly, bamboo is impregnated with aromatic oils created in the laboratory from synthetic substances. Such incense sticks are used exclusively for aromatizing the space and cleansing it from negative energy according to Feng Shui. Such aroma gadgets are completely devoid of a therapeutic effect.
Thus, the answer to the question: “Are incense sticks harmful to health?” depends on their composition. If it is 100% natural, made from wood and first-class essential oils, then you can safely use it for meditation or aromatherapy to calm your nerves or relieve stress. Burn incense in a well-ventilated area several times a week, but not every day.
It is also not recommended to light several sticks, one incense is enough.
Safe incense sticks have a natural composition, consisting of organic essences (not derivatives of oil), charcoal, natural resins, herbs, leaves and bark. These include masala – a natural Indian product in which herbs and flavors are mixed.
A good frankincense has a distinct, understandable smell that you inhale and immediately feel the positive effect. If after aromatherapy you did not feel any of the benefits promised by the manufacturer, this product is of poor quality and it will not bring benefits to your mental health. At the moment, aroma sticks are one of the most effective tools for dealing with emotional problems: anxiety, fear, anxiety, insecurity. The best assistant in these matters is the scent of a rose.
Aroma sticks 8 pcs., 21 fragrances, NR-10/NR-31
Art.: 425-140
How incense sticks are made: the process of making incense
- In the first step, the end of each stick is cleaned and then dyed in the color characteristic of a particular fragrance.
- The following day, the aromatic oils are mixed and applied to the sticks, after which they are dried overnight. An incense can contain a single fragrance or a complex combination of ingredients.
- Dried incense sticks are wrapped in waxed paper and sealed in zippered plastic bags before being placed in colorful paper bags for sale.
Interesting:
– 12 ways to get rid of negative energy in your home
– How to choose the best humidifiers: what water to use, how to clean
– What is aroma oil: difference from essential oil, 15 ways to use it in everyday life
How to properly burn incense sticks
No. 1. Hold a lighter or match to the end of the stick and light it until the end turns red. The incense will burn for 10 seconds and then go out on its own.
You should see glowing embers, which, under the influence of a red light, advance to the end of the wand.
If something went wrong and you see motionless ash on the tip of the incense, try lighting it again.
No. 2. Gently blow on the burning tip of the incense to ignite it and release wisps of smoke. After about 30 seconds, you will smell it. If there is no red coal and no fragrance, then you have completely extinguished the incense and you will have to light it again. When you blow, put your hand behind the flame.
No. 3. Insert the stick into the incense holder. You can install it vertically or horizontally. In each of these cases, make sure that the ash from the tip of the incense stick falls on the stand, and not on the furniture or carpet. If you bought aroma sticks, but you don’t have a stand, make your own – just fill the glass with rice, sand or salt.
No. 4. Let the incense burn completely. It usually takes him 20-30 minutes to do this. The time depends on the thickness and length of the product. Never leave incense unattended. If you need to urgently leave the house, dip the burning tip of the aroma stick into a glass of water.
Always carry out aromatherapy away from curtains and other flammable surfaces. Keep incense out of the reach of children and pets. Do not put an open window on the windowsill so that the wind does not overturn the incense.
How to choose incense sticks: energy value of fragrances
You already know how to choose a quality incense and how to light it properly. It remains to decide on the smell, aimed at solving specific problems:
- If your work area lacks energy, you need to increase the flow of prosperity and finances, cinnamon incense will be the best choice.
- If the space is full of negative energy, white sage, cedar and sandalwood will come to the rescue. Sage cleanses the room of stagnant energy, making room for a new one. The best option when you want to start a new life and forget the unpleasant past.
- Lavender – the smell of calmness and the enemy of insomnia. Light it up in the bedroom and other rooms so that the household members are calm, do not get annoyed over trifles and do not quarrel.
- Vanilla – the smell of family harmony and well-being, and also a powerful aphrodisiac. It is also a generator of creative ideas, and therefore if you have a creative profession, we recommend buying vanilla incense sticks.
- Peppermint is a symbol of pure intelligence, prosperity and high performance for solving complex problems.
- Citrus fruits – orange, lemon, lime – invigorating aromas and antidepressants. Used to cleanse the house of negative energy, attract happiness and good mood.
- The rose is a symbol of love that promotes healing after emotional experiences and the return of passion to a cooled relationship.
- Sandalwood in tandem with coarse salt is used during spring cleaning to pull stubborn negativity out of the house.
- Jasmine is by nature an optimist who inspires self-confidence. Attracts love and harmony in family relationships. Consider planting a jasmine bush under your bedroom windows.
Schisandra to attract the energy of money
Bergamot to attract good luck in career
Peony for business prosperity
Prosperity Ginger
Rosemary for improving memory and concentration
Lemongrass to boost positive energy in the home
Ylang-ylang and tuberose for romance
How to use incense sticks to cleanse the space of negativity
Step #1: Do a general house cleaning, completely removing the clutter and throwing out all unnecessary and broken things.
