Shell Money

Shell money is one of five types of currency in the Yapese culture. Its value is determined by difficulty in acquiring, availability, and desire to own. Shell money made of clamshell from the Outer Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, or the Philippines from golden lip clam, was most highly prized. Time, effort and a risk were taken in voyages by canoe to acquire the shell. Size, quality and the delicate lip intact were factors in determining value of the shell money. Handles made wrapping and weaving coconut rope around coconut fiber and shells added for decorations increased the value.

Large shells cut along each side creating a narrow scoop were called Thiloy. It was determined by the Yapese efforts made by cutting the shell add beauty and value.

Shell money symbolizes peace and prosperity. Elders of the village introduce Yapese dances walking near dancers hold shell money high in the air. This display announces prosperity, past, present, and future, assuring an audience of no attack or threat while observing the dancing.

Naming a child is a celebration and shell money and stone money is passed to the new generation through this celebration. A child is give a name derived from the land in his village not from his family.

When a young man takes a bride, he walks through the bride’s village to her home where he presents the father with shell money given by his family. A celebration is held with food brought by both family and friends of the villages.

A bride's family presents a dowry at the time of marriage to establish and invite prosperity to the new family. A dowry consists of golden lip clam six to eight inches in diameter assembled in odd numbers of three, five or seven on a cord. Cord made from coconut rope encased by circular wrap of the coconut rope adds strength and design. During ceremonies and dances dowries are displayed and carried near the dancers to represent past, present, and future prosperity. Divorce in Yap is simple, the husband returns a wife to her family along with the shell money. Any children of the family belong to the husband. While young they remain with the wife and her family but go with the husband when they are older.

Shell money is used as payments with stone money to purchase canoes, land, or pay fines. It is also given to honor guests or dignitaries from another village. Shell money is of value in Yapese Culture today. It is honor passed between villages and families. It is used to pay fines or help in purchase of land.

Replicas are available to visitors of Yap but authentic pieces are to remain on the Island.