Colonia, YAP – Painstakingly painted by hand, presented by FSMNOC, sorted by our volunteers—hundreds & hundreds of our uniquely shaped medals are here!

The shape of the medals reflects a type of rare & traditional shell money in Yap called “Yær”. The rarity of Yær comes from the fact that only a few were hewn from nacre in Waqāb—Yap Main Islands; most came from the Micronesian region and even Southeast Asia a long time ago.

Each Yær had a name and its own oral history. They were highly prized and ceremonial, and those that were presented with one of these became proud wards of our history’s mementos.

While these medals weren’t harvested from mother-of-pearl, they symbolize what we hope the champions glean from their participation in the Micro Games—that they are unique, worthy, valuable, part of a bigger picture and a rich, shared history.

At the very least, athletes who win one of these will have a novelty shaped trinket to bring home with them!

Vital Energy Micronesia is the proud sponsor of the medals.