Isokelekel

Isokelekel was a semi-mythical hero warrior and demigod who founded pre-modern Pohnpei sometime in the 1500s to the early 1600s. He invaded the island, ended the oppressive rule of the Saudeleur dynasty, and instituted the decentralized chiefdom system that has survived through modern times.

Background Isokelekel (Pohnpeian: "shining noble", "wonderful king"), was a semi-mythical son of the Pohnpeian god Nansapwe and Nansapwe's clanswoman, Lipahnmei, who came to Pohnpei from Katau.

With the help of the indigenous people of Pohnpei, Isokelekel conquered the Saudeleur dynasty of Pohnpei (an island in the modern Federated States of Micronesia) sometime between the early 16th or 17th century. Isokelekel is considered the father of modern Pohnpei.

Modern chiefs of Pohnpei trace their lineage to Isokelekel, and according to this legend, modern Pohnpeians are descendants of Isokelekel's invasion party.

Some variants of the myth in Kosrae name this hero Nanparadak, with features closer to Ulithian tales of the same archetype. In Pohnpeian oral histories, Nanparadak is Isokelekel's lieutenant.

Origins

According to most versions of Isokelekel's legendary birth, his father is the Thunder God Nansapwe. Nansapwe had committed adultery with the wife of the Saudeleur lord. In anger, the Saudeleur lord set out to capture Nansapwe. Some versions include that the ruler had also incensed other gods of the Pohnpeian pantheon and insulted a high priest who prophesied the Saudeleur's downfall. These offenses, as well as the oppressive land ownership and tribute system of the Saudeleur, drew the ire of gods, humans, and animals alike.

Nansapwe, offended by the Saudeleur, left Pohnpei for an island in "downwind Katau" (east of Pohnpei). Certain versions indicate the Thunder God fled to the sky world of East Katau. Having fled, he impregnated a barren human of his own Dipwenpahnmei (Under-the-breadfruit-tree) clan named Lipahnmei by feeding her a lime. This incestuous union produced the semi-divine Isokelekel, who in the womb knew his destiny of vengeance.

Several extremely variant versions omit Isokelekel's divine paternity altogether, focusing on a lapse of cultural norms on the part of the Saudeleur in failing to provide food to Isokelekel when he arrives. In these versions, he is sometimes even accorded native Pohnpeian origins, and avenges the death of his brother, as opposed to the shame of his godly father. In other versions, Isokelekel is the product of a youth deified by the Thunder God and a Dipwenpahnmei human or a pair of brothers avenging the murder of their father by the Saudeleur. Brown (1907) posits that Isokelekel was perhaps of Papuasian descent. His origins are often described as southern, or "downwind".

In certain variations, Isokelekel first happens upon Pohnpei while fishing, and in some he is scared off by the massive settlements, returning later to conquer the island. Minor localized versions of the Isokelekel myth include that the invasion party sailed past certain areas because local gods protected them. and with help from the oppressed locals. Sokehs, a prestigious region of Pohnpei under Saudeleur reign, was largely stripped of its might.

At Pahn Akuwalap, Isokelekel instituted a new political order, the sacred nahnmwarki, lesser nahnken, and priestly title system that remains in modern use on Pohnpei.

Death At Peikapw, a place of prayer, Isokelekel saw his reflection in a pool of water and, realizing his old age, decided to commit suicide. According to one legend, he tied his penis to the top of a young palm tree. Letting go of the bent tree, his penis was torn off, and Isokelekel bled to death. Petersen (1995) identifies a cultural theme of caution within the Isokelekel myth in relations with foreign powers, modernly applicable to the United States. Petersen (1990) also comments that "initiation of important events in Pohnpei mythology is often ascribed to outsiders," the prime example being Isokelekel and the Saudeleur.

The legend of Isokelekel is also used to explain the mixed racial makeup of Pohnpei against its Micronesian background. Isokelekel's party thoroughly settled the eastern, most populous areas of Pohnpei, from which their relations diffused.