Pohnpeian

The Pohnpeians are the indigenous people of Pohnpei, a volcanic island of the eastern Caroline Islands, and speak Pohnpeian, an Austronesian language. Their Lapita-related ancestors settled the island more than two thousand years ago, and from the eighth or ninth century built Nan Madol, a ceremonial centre of artificial islets and stone platforms off the eastern shore.

Legend remembers the centralized Saudeleur dynasty ruling from about 1100 until the invader Isokelekel overthrew it around 1628 and replaced it with the decentralized nahnmwarki chief system.

Álvaro de Saavedra sighted Pohnpei in 1529. The Russian expedition of Fyodor Litke produced the first detailed accounts in 1828. Whalers and traders then called in growing numbers, and in 1837 the first Catholic missionary arrived while Pohnpeians still ruled themselves through their chiefs.