Vicente M. Diaz 1997 Documentary. Sacred Vessels: Navigating Tradition and Identity in Micronesia

Published @ YouTube on Apr 21, 2012 by VicenteMDiaz

Part I of 2 parts.

   A 1997 documentary by Micronesian scholar, Vicente M. Diaz, that follows a new generation of traditional outrigger canoe builders and navigators from Polowat, Central Carolines, Federated States of Micronesia, and Guam in their respective efforts to continue and resuscitate an ancient tradition of outrigger canoe carving and sailing in the late twentieth century. Like the motif of water that flows through the documentary and blurs lines between surface and depth, and between water, land and air, an indefatigable tradition and aesthetic of seafaring is shown to also challenge pat and problematic distinctions between past and present, tradition and modernity, indigenous and Christian religiosity and spirituality, that prevail in conventional understandings of Micronesian culture and history. Principal subjects: Celestino and Sosthenis Emwalu, Chief Manipy from Polowat, Rob Limtiaco and Gary Guerrero from Guam. Music by Maria Yatar and Eremas Emwalu. Written and Directed by Vicente M. Diaz. Co-produced by Vicente M. Diaz, Christine Taitano DeLisle, and Suzette K. Nelson. Videography by Mario Benito and George Burdeau. Sound Tech: Darren Kipp. Edited by Mary Beth Bresolin and Herman Crisostomo.

Source: YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7nXev2Jt7g)

Part 2 of 2 parts.

  Follow Micronesian scholar, Vicente M. Diaz, as he follows a new generation of Polowatese and Chamorro canoebuilders and navigators as they move and are moved by an ancient tradition of outrigger canoebuilding and long distance voyaging.

Source:  YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahpVuw57uwY)