Every year, the last week of September is recognized as the time for Lutok Koban Alele, which means ”the pouring out of all the products, stories, knowledge of Alele (museum). The last Friday of September is a national holiday called “Manit Day” (culture day) and during this day and into the next, traditional competitions are held, such as coconut husking, weaving baskets, various types of races, canoe sail races and canoe paddle races, along with traditional dancing. The photos below illustrate some of the activities on “Manit Day 2015”.

Canoes of the Marshall Islands are racing

Ready? go!

Pull!

Women’s rowing contest

Canoes of the Marshall Islands

Lulu and Mabel are racing

weaving coconut frond

taking a breath

weaving coconut frond

Lutok Koban – Returning from the race

Crowd at the Lutok Koban Alele

Returning from the race

opposite side too

weaving coconut frond

weaving coconut frond

Women’s getting ready to race

more Joy under the sun

Canoes of the Marshall Islands on Delap beach

weaving coconut frond

Coconut unshelling contest – or strength

Lutok Koban Alele – 2015

Lutok Koban Alele 2015 Event

Returning from the race

Coconut unshelling contest – with a tool named “droon”

Photos courtesy Carol Curtis