Take the Wisdom from the Basket – Chew Betel Nuts
Besides their local drink called sakau, the locals from the island of Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia takes the chewing of betel nut as another cultural practice. In fact, this is practiced in most parts of Micronesia.
Pohnpeian Betel Nut Chew
Also popular in the three other island-states in the FSM, these betel nuts which the locals call “buw” is becoming a national tradition and obsession. Similar to our modern day chewing gums, these betel nuts are cut in half and wrapped inside a pepper leaf called “gabuy”, and placed in the mouth to chew. Similar to how people chew tobacco, betel nuts are not supposed to be swallowed. That’s the reason why you can see betel nuts everywhere in Pohnpei. Locals chew betel nuts for a past time and you would notice their quietness as they chew on it.
It is said that it’s because they enjoy that moment of quietness. It has also been told that chewing betel nuts can give you a quick “buzz”. You can also notice that person in Pohnpei chewing betel nut ends up having red-stained teeth due to the chemical reaction of the nut that makes it turn crimson red.
The practice of chewing betel nuts in the island of Pohnpei is also another way to socialize with each other. It is said that the elders prefer that their members chew betel nuts while on a meeting as it helps them think before speaking.
“Kabaye lawan u waay” is a popular saying about the betel nut in the Micronesia territories. It means “The wisdom is in the basket.”, and its core message is to take things slow. In that phrase, the word “basket” is used because natives keep a piece or two of these betel nuts in a woven basket and brings it with them wherever they go.
These betel nuts are also the sign of goodwill to their guests and giving betel nuts to the visitors is one way of the Pohnpeians’ way of showing their hospitality
FYI, betelnut chewing in Pohnpei is not a cultural practice or part of any of the state’s customs and norms.
This ‘habit’ was picked up from the betelnut chewing islands of Yap and Palau most notably from Pohnpeians who had attended Xavier and most recently the College of Micronesia where there were many yapese and palauan chewers.