Micronesia Culture Day
Observed on the last day of March every year, Micronesia Culture Day is a holiday designed with a very specific purpose: to introduce people to the cultural traditions of the islands of the Federated States of Micronesia and to help preserve those customs by keeping them alive.
On this day, the customs and traditions of various ethnic groups and religions are put front and center for everyone to enjoy. Ancient customs and traditions are often given a fun modern twist that not only proves entertaining to everyone but also helps celebrate the nation’s diversity.
The History of Micronesia Culture Day
Micronesia Culture Day was enacted by President Emanuel Mori with the assistance of the Micronesian Congress. It was created to be a national day modeled after the national days of other countries. Other nations, he noted, have a day celebrating their culture, so why shouldn’t Micronesia?
Fun Facts About Micronesia
Below is a list of some fun facts that we’ve uncovered over the course of our research. Hopefully, they provide a bit of insight to anyone interested in learning more about this holiday.
- Over 600 islands located in Oceania make up the Federated States of Micronesia.
- It’s believed that some of the islands of Micronesia have been inhabited for over 3,000 years.
- Spain colonized Micronesia in 1886.
- Micronesia receives only about 30,000 tourists per year.
Observing Micronesia Culture Day
On this day, celebrations are held across Micronesia’s four regions. These may include concerts, festivals, seminars, or exhibits. And because food plays an important role in every culture, a variety of foods can be enjoyed across Micronesia on this day. Dishes incorporate the main staples of the island such as yam, breadfruit, taro, coconuts, and bananas, as well as pigs, chicken, and seafood.