The Lymans: Jace's Kemem

In the Marshall Islands, it is a custom to celebrate the first birthday of each child, known as a Kemem. I was told that this tradition started because of the high infant mortality rate on the islands. When a child made it to their first birthday, it was huge cause for celebration. My nephew, Jace, turned one on the 9th of January and we celebrated his Kemem on the 15th. Much time, planning, effort, and tears were put into making said Kemem a success. In fact, if I recall correctly, planning for it started the minute he was born. Or at least when I first met him, which was when he was one month old.

Kemem's typically are planned in that relatives and members of the Marshallese community volunteer to bring certain dishes. These dishes usually include 5 different kinds of meats like chicken, pork, fish, beef, and usually roasted pig. Then come the side dishes like rice, potato salad, pasta salad, some rice noodle dish, sashimi, clams, squash, different types of Marshallese food that I don't know the names of, and dessert dishes. Plus the birithday cake. All these dishes are made for between 150-500 people.

During the meal, there is usually entertainment. This usually includes island-style dancing, music, and singing. In the midst of the dancing, people in the family hand out goodies ranging from candy to large blankets and marshallese woven bags. Once all that is done, they get birthday boy and sit him up front with his parents while the community sings to him and one by one go up to wish him well. As they do that, they leave money for him. Here are a few pictures to highlight the events of the night.