Marshall Islands
Oceania
The Marshall Islands is a Pacific island nation made up of 29 atolls and five isolated islands, scattered across a vast expanse of ocean. Its capital, Majuro, lies on a narrow coral atoll surrounded by turquoise lagoons and vibrant reefs. Marshallese culture is deeply connected to the sea, with traditional navigation, canoe building, weaving, and oral storytelling playing important roles in community life. Marshallese and English are the official languages.
Marshallese literature is rooted in oral traditions, including legends, chants, genealogies, and stories passed down through generations. Contemporary writing explores cultural identity, colonial history, nuclear testing, displacement, and the threats posed by climate change. Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner, a Marshallese poet and climate activist, brings these themes to international audiences through works such as Iep Jāltok: Poems from a Marshallese Daughter, combining personal memory with the experiences and concerns of island communities.