MICRONESIA 2013 - Redeeming Pohnpeian Culture - "Sekenpwoud"

Kolonia, Pohnpei

Friday, September 20, 2013

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Redeeming Pohnpeian Culture - "Sekenpwoud"

Yesterday I was asked by Herman Sado if I could do him a favor by picking up one of his relatives from the Pohnpei State Hospital and taking her to their home in Kitti. I was glad to do so and was accompanied by Ricky Narruhn. On this short journey, Ricky informed me of a practice known as "sekenpwoud." I gathered even more information when we returned to Kolonia and spoke to Herman about this practice. I couldn't help but recognize the "footprints" left by YHWH that could lead the Pohnpeians to His Son, Yeshua Hamashiach.

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many years ago, and even still at times today conflict between clans existed. Because of this conflict, violent interchanges between clans could lead to bloodshed and the loss of life. In Pohnpei there is a definite formality that takes place dealing with the asking of forgiveness. The perpetrator must go with his or her family to the family that he or she  has wronged, and formally ask for their forgiveness in order for peace to be restored between the two clans or families. This is especially the case when a violent crime has been committed, whether intentionally or accidentally. Again, this was the case in the past as well as in the present. If you accidentally run over someone's child in your car, you are taken to jail for your own safety until you are given the opportunity to formally apologize to the family.

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Traditionally in Pohnpei there were three occupations available for men: (1) farmer, (2) fisherman, and (3) warrior. Pohnpeian warriors had marked carved into their chests that identified them as warriors. It was a mark of death, as that was their purpose and ultimate end. It was usually one of these warriors who would engage in the practice of "sekenpwoud." If this warrior's close friend or relative within his clan had shed blood and was facing a death sentence as he came before the family that he had wronged, the warrior could take his knife, bow his head before the family in the presence of the perpetrator and say, "Iet naipen. I pahn sekenpwoudki." "Sekenpwoud" is a high word used to refer to the food offered to a king or "nanmwarki." In other words, the warrior is saying, "Here is the knife. I will offer up my own life as a sacrifice on behalf of this man's life." Often times, someone either brave enough or crazy enough would take a knife, cut the warrior's head off in the presence of all and rejoice with the family of the wronged which would then bring peace between the two clans. The perpetrator would then carry with him for the rest of his life the image of his close friend or relative who was innocent, paying the ultimate price for his own wrongdoing, hopefully deterring him from such behavior in the future.

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(Jesus is a mighty warrior [Revelation 19:15] whose body was marked [Matthew 27:26]. "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." [Romans 5:8] Jesus "has given Himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God." [Ephesians 5:2] "In due time Christ died for the ungodly." [Romans 5:6] Jesus "made peace through the blood of His cross." [Colossians 1:20])

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Christian Young