The Stone Money of Yap

About The Stone Money of Yap
Micronesia, Federated States of
ADD TO LIST
WRITE REVIEW
Yap is known for their giant stone money (known as Rai) that can reach up to 12 feet in diameter and weigh up to 5 tons.  These stone discs are made out of crystalline limestone that was hewn out of rock in Palau and transported over 500 km to Yap by canoe.  This was a perilous journey, and as a result, the difficulty in transporting the discs back played a huge factor (in addition to size and quality) in the value attributed to the discs.  These discs are still used in major transactions such as dowries and land purchases.    The Rai usually remain in the same place even if they change ownership, and can generally be found in village “banks” along the pathways.  Individual pieces can be found throughout Yap though.
Payment Accepted:
Last edited on Oct 9, 07 10:07 AM.
Contributors: Aaron C. Show History
[Flag as duplicate]