|
For survival, our people relied heavily
on probing the sea for its abundance and sailing
its surface to reach other islands. To assist them
navigationally, natives of Micronesia used stick
charts (bamboo sticks, shells, and strings arranged
according to relative positions of islands and
characteristics of waves between them) with uncanny
accuracy.
Many
modern sailors, however, continue to be skeptical
and demand proof before acknowledging navitational
skills with the use of primitive devices. In
response, Micronesians are fond of telling about a
challenge during World War II by a seasoned U. S.
Navy captain for a native navigator to find an
island many miles away using only a stick
chart.
The
challenge was accepted and, upon reaching the
destination, the captain asked incredulously how
the chief knew that particular island was there.
Feigning surprise, the native chief answered: "But,
Captain, that island has always been there!"
|
