The culture of the Marshall Islands reflects the characteristics of a society developed in close contact with and dependence on the sea.
English is the official language and widely used although it is not fluently spoken. The Marshall language is used by the government.
The Marshals were prominent sailors, able to travel long distances between atolls using the stars and cards with sticks and shells. They also built their own boats and now even perform annual competitions with their two-hull canoes, called bow . The prow is constructed of pieces of teakwood tied with palm-cords and caulked with palm-rope. Formerly the candle was of interlocking palm fronds. Society
The islanders of Bikini Atoll continue to use land rights as a primary display of wealth. Each family is part of a drug trafficker. (Bwij), who is the owner of all the land. People submit to a boss (Iroij). The bosses control the clan captains (Alap), who are appointed by the workers (Dri-jerbal). The Iroij controls the use of land, the use of resources and resolve disputes. The Alap supervises the maintenance of land and daily activities. The Rijerbal work the land including animal care, cleaning and construction. The Marshall society is matrilineal and the land is passed down from generation to generation through the mother. Land ownership brings the family together into clans, and grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins form tight family groups, and meetings often turn out to be big events. One of the most important family events is the first birthday of a child {kemem}, where relatives and friends celebrate with feasts and songs.
Marshall's social classes include chiefs and bourgeois. Formerly the irooj laplap was the most powerful official and was considered almost sacred. To show respect, the other people knelt and approached him squatting. Irooj laplap received the best portions of the food, he could choose the best lands, and he had as many wives as he wished. In return, they were responsible for leading the people in their daily work, doing community work, sailing expeditions, and war. Its power was usually restricted to one part or a single atoll. A leader who succeeded in the war could conquer and control several atolls. The irooj laplap was followed by the irooj rik, the captains or minor chiefs loaded arms to punish the abusers of women, and finally the kajur, the common man.
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