Rai stones on the Island of
Yap
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Rai stones are circular disks carved out of limestone
with a large hole in the middle of the disk. There are five major types of rai stone monies: Mmbul, Gaw, Fe' or Rai, Yar, and Reng. The
size of the stones varies with the largest stone being 3 meters (10 ft) in
diameter, 0.5 meters (1½ ft) thick and weighing 4 tons (8000 lb). |
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The value of a specific stone is not only
dependent upon the size and craftsmanship going into the carving of the stone, but
also upon the history of the stone. For
example, the value of a stone is affected by how many people may have died when
that specific stone was transported to the island, or whether some well known
person (sailor) brought the stone to the island.
These rai stones were
used in social transactions like marriages, inheritance, political deals or negotiations,
as compensation for damages suffered by a particular individual, transfers of
land title, or in exchange for food. Visitors to the island find the stones placed
in front of or alongside meeting houses or along certain pathways. Ownership is
transferred without physically relocating the stones as it is rare to actually
move any of the stones.
Although western-style money has replaced the rai
stones as everyday currency, these stones are still exchanged in traditional
ways between the inhabitants of