Iep Jeltok (yiyip jalteq). “A basket whose opening is facing the speaker.”
Said of female children, she represents a basket whose contents are made available to her relatives. Also refers to matrilineal society of the Marshallese.
“Iep jeltok ajiri ne” – You are fortunate to have a girl child.
- Marshallese English Dictionary
Iep Jeltok is one of my favorite Marshallese sayings and I use it here as an introduction for what I’m giving to the world through this blog: a basket full of writing and poetry.
My name is Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner and I am a Marshallese poet, writer, performance artist and journalist.
I’ve started this blog as a way of sharing my poetry with the world, and to openly display my thoughts – through the good times and the bad times as I work towards shaping my first collection of poetry.
My poetry mainly focuses on raising awareness surrounding the issues and threats faced by my people. Nuclear testing conducted in our islands, militarism, the rising sea level as a result of climate change, forced migration, adaptation and racism in America – these are just a few themes my poetry touches upon. Besides these, I also use poetry as a means of understanding the people and the world around me.
Along with writing, I also love to perform. A lot of my poetry is performance based. I’ve competed in slam poetry competitions and performed at showcases, conferences, and various literature readings. I’ve also hosted open mics and written and performed my own solo piece.
Journalism is my side gig. I use it to promote the achievements of Marshallese people, and to promote my topics of interest. Many of my articles have been published online and in my home island’s newspaper The Marshall Islands Journal.
Should you have any questions, or are interested in publishing any of these works, please contact me at jkijiner@gmail.com.
January 25, 2013 at 9:46 am
Dang you have really inspired me with your poetry..You’re getting us out there..Our culture..Keep it up! Inspire the world
January 27, 2013 at 7:18 am
love your poem about Micros in Hawaii…you are awesome and inspire me
February 6, 2013 at 6:23 am
Just what seriously stimulated u to write “IEP JELTOK”?
I personallyabsolutely enjoyed reading it! Thanks for the post -Anton
March 4, 2013 at 10:06 pm
I think not seeing my own story and the stories of Marshallese people out there in the world is what inspired me to start writing. Thanks so much for your interest and your support!
February 10, 2013 at 4:08 am
Saw you yesterday at UHH and couldn’t stop crying throughout your poem. The message is powerful and I will share it with the PI students who come to our school. Keep inspiring!
February 13, 2013 at 8:46 pm
I absolutely love seeing your work in this context. Thank you for sharing. –Acord
February 20, 2013 at 1:47 am
Yowke, I just wanted to say your poem “Lessons From Hawaii” brought me to tears, and inspired me to write a little poem for our Marshallese and other Micronesian brothers and sisters. Keep doing what you’re doing im kate yuk ilo aolep men bwe you’re doing a great job! Kommol bwe you made me more proud to be 50% Ri-Majol than I ever have been in my life. REAL TALK!
February 26, 2013 at 2:42 pm
We are listening. Please keep writing.
March 3, 2013 at 2:11 am
The following post, “IEP JELTOK | a basket of poetry
and writing from Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner” zuisg displays the fact that you actually comprehend precisely what u r talking about!
I really totally agree with your post. Thanks a lot -Shella
March 4, 2013 at 10:14 pm
Thank you for your support everyone!:)