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Rick Coleman | all galleries >> Galleries >> Palau and Yap August 2006 > largest stone money bank on island
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Artist-Susie

largest stone money bank on island

Legend has it that Yapese men traveled the unknown ocean by canoe in search of something large, round, durable, couldn't be stolen, and was beautiful like the moon to use for trading. Their first attempt failed as soon as they spotted land; Strangers defending their island killed them. The second trip was a success after they defended themselves and were given land (Palau in Aungur) as compensation. The only thing that they could find that matched what they were searching for was limestone. So they began carving the limestone into the shape of the moon and a hole carved in the center which allowed it to be carried easier. They named it "Rai." Now the real challenge occurred transporting their "Rai" 250 miles across the open ocean by bamboo rafts. The value of the Rai was determined not simply by its age, quality, size, color, & shape, but more so by its history of how many people got crushed, drowned, eaten by sharks, or someother unimaginable tragedy.


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Sigrun Preissing 04-Feb-2009 08:30
Dear Rick Coleman,

My name is Sigrun Preissing. I´m an anthropologist, living in Germany. At the moment I`m writing a book about traditional money and exchange systems, which will be published in september. I found your photo about the largest stone money bank on Palau. I would like to ask you, if you would agree to publish ist in my book. Unfortunately I couldn´t offer you any money for it... Let me know, if you agree.
Best regards,
Sigrun Preissing