SPRINGDALE, Ark — The first Marshallese mural paints a story of culture in the heart of Springdale.
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) recruited the help of the Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese (ACOM) to create a mural in Downtown Springdale. UAMS Representative Katie McCraney explained that it was intended to create activity in the downtown.
"It is really to highlight the culture of the Marshallese community and to hopefully get everybody out in the community to be more physically active," McCraney said.
The artist, Helmar Anitok, spent four months creating the idea for the mural, and he says it took a month to make the installation.
"[Marshallese People] have been here for the whole time. They contribute a lot to the city of Springdale, especially, and all of northwest Arkansas. I think they deserve to have something that represents them in their culture and makes them feel like they're part of the community," Anitok said.
"Right now, in Northwest Arkansas, we have the biggest number of Marshallese population outside of the islands," ACOM's Stephanie Takamaru said. "It's really a testament to how our community has accepted us, as Marshallese People."
The idea for the mural follows the story of Liktanur who challenged 10 brothers for the right to lead them. Anitok explains that she challenged them to a canoe race and then went to every brother to make a request. She asked of them to carry her along with them, and most denied her, knowing it would drag them on. Anitok says though, the youngest, Jabro, who was humble and said yes. Unknowingly Liktanur provided her invention to Jabro, the sail. Her help would lead to his success.
"We always tell people, 'we're navigators,' and that usually strikes a conversation. It's kind of symbolic to where, you know, you're gonna have to explain to people what it is," Anitok said. "That's how we were Marshallese back then, you know, everything we know, was just being passed down from our ancestor."
There are many details Anitok added to the mural, representative of the Marshallese culture. Such as the Japanese-style waves, which Anitok said resembled the Japanese control of the islands and the subsequent involvement of the US that led to their entry. The Chart in front of the woman's face resembles the currents and charts used for navigation. There are Flowers that are compared to the islands in their national anthem. The tattoos also are tribal tattoos used by the Marshallese people, although Anitok said not on the face. Finally, the Star in the Clouds is supposed to resemble Jabro who turned into a star at his death, Anitok explains that is also rooted in Christianity.
The mural is displayed outside Buck's Emma Ave. Bar and Tap, just across the street from Shiloh Square.
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