Anagumang
Legendary Yapese navigator
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Expedition
Anagumang hired seven men with him for his journey, with the help of his mother, Le-gerem.[1]
Stones
First Anagumang ordered his men to cut stone into the shape of fish, then a crescent moon, and then a full moon with a hole in it for transport.[2] He fashioned other stones so they could be slipped onto a trunk of a betel-nut tree.[3] The stones came in different sizes. The smallest were 7-8 centimeters long, and the longest were 3.6 meters in diameter and 0.5 meters thick and weighed four tons.[4]
Currency
These stones were called "Rai stones" and were also used as a form of currency. However, it was required that the stone must be proved to be made by Anagumang in order to be used as currency.[4]
The currency was exploited by sailor David O'Keefe in the 19th century. For 30 years, he traded the stones for items such as Copra.[5]
Studies and beliefs
- It is believed that Anagumang worked with Fatha'an in a competition to bring money to Yap.[6]