Nunus

Nunus – flower headbands – are ever-present in Yap. Worn by both men and women of all ages and given to a friend or family member as a “welcome home” or “goodbye”, for special celebrations like a birthday, graduation or wedding, or simply for no reason at all, sweet-smelling flowers like plumeria are collected and woven into a tightly braided band made of strips of palm fronds and leaves. Each one is unique, made by hand with the skill passed down through the generations from mother to daughter or grandmother to granddaughter. Marmars, or flower leis, are also given in the same manner. When you arrive at the airport, a young woman wearing a traditional grass skirt will place a marmar around your neck as a welcome to our beautiful island from the Yap Visitors Bureau. But be aware that if someone compliments you on your nunu, giving it to them is the polite thing to do!

 

Dancers' nunus are often elaborate

When Peace Corps left Yap in 2018, volunteers presented nunus to their local families and friends

Nunus are given to guests at all official events

Selecting just the right flowers for the nunu

Note how she keeps the leaves taut as she braids the nunu

All school graduations end with the students smothered in nunus and leis presented by their families. Some are made of yarn, candies and fabric flowers.