Yap Day is a celebration of the history of Yap, as well as a celebration of dance that can be closely compared to the Carnival in Trinidad . In his article Material Components in Celebration, Richard M. Dorson describes Carnival as a “theatrical spectical” and a “street masquerade” (1982 Dorson). Yap Day is similar in the respect that it consists of theatrical elements. The dances that are performed on Yap Day tell stories of the history of the island as well as cultural legends. These dances, and Yap Day in general, bring the Yapese people together and foster a sense of communitas among them. It serves them as a reminder of where they came from.

  Dorson stated that “Carnival represents an exhilarating affirmation of national spirit and creativity,” (1982 Dorson). Yap Day represents the same ideals for the Yapese people. They affirm their national spirit by performing the dances which tell their history. They affirm their creativity by participating in the various other activities that occur during the celebration. Booths and displays are set up all around the dance performance area where local farmers and craftsmen can display their products. Produce is an important staple in the Yapese diet; many kinds are on offered to sell during Yap Day, including coconuts, breadfruit, and mangoes (Berg).

  An important cultural idea that Yap Day expresses is competition. Competitions are a big part of the Yap Day festivities. The Yapese compete in dance, spear throwing, basket weaving, and house building (Beardsley). The competitions are intense and often the citizens of Yap prepare for them all year long. This is another aspect that Yap Day shares with Trinidad 's Carnival. Dorson states, “Each year some five thousand handsmen associated with some two hundred orchestras rehearse before carnival, vying for victory in the national steel-band competition and hoping to astound their competitors…” (1982 Dorson). The Yapese dancers practice diligently so that they will be victorious, just as the steel-bands in Trinidad practice for a Carnival triumph.

  Victory and Superiority are also important ideas in the Yapese culture. This can be seen in the many competitions held on Yap Day. It can also be seen in the Yapese currency: called stone money, the currency used between Yapese people resembles huge stone wheels (http://www.destmic.com/yap.html). Families stack the stone money outside their houses so that their wealth and superiority can be seen by all ( http://www.destmic.com/yap.html ).

  The idea of kinship and social solidarity is illustrated within Yap Day through the central activity, which is the dancing. These dances are always performed in groups, never as individuals. Since these dances portray the history of the island and its important legends, this can be seen as symbolizing the idea that togetherness is needed to make the island work as a community. This is also illustrated in the Yapese kinship ideals. The nuclear family is seen as the strongest bond in Yap culture (1968 Mason).