Popular Culture Review
30
dramatic rupture in space (the Bikinians are relocated 125 miles away to
Rongerik Atoll), and time (from unchanging past to atomic present). This
rupture reflects the nature of the atom itself Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle
holds, in part, that phenomenon at the subatomic level are altered by the act of
observing them (Rhodes, 129-130). So too is Bikini altered by observation, by
the observers.
In one of the most moving sections of his essay, our observer Markwith
recalls that when the Bikinians
had been placed to suit the cameraman, Jibaj [the minister]
took up his station and made a short address, led a responsive
prayer, and gave a brief benediction, committing the departed
to the care of God. It was very simple and very effective. The
only jarring note was the necessity of doing the whole thing
twice for the benefit of the sound camera. While helping to
pick up mike cable after the ceremony, I noticed one of the
younger men in an earnest conversation with Jimmy [an
interpreter from Tarawa], which, from their gestures, seemed
to involve me. Investigation disclosed that Laiboie whished
Jimmy to ask me if I had enough film to spare for a shot of
himself and family at the grave of his sister. We all moved
down the shore to the grave where they grouped around the
headstone and 1 made my shots. In the usual rush there wasn’t
time to go into the reason for the request, but the expressions
on the faces of that family were so sincere that 1 suddenly
found there was an unusual amount of dust in the air.^
On the importance of graves to the Marshallese, anthropologist Holly
Barker explains: “Tending to and being near the graves of family members is
important in Marshallese culture. . . For the Marshallese it is important to bury
deceased family members on their land so that they will rest peacefully in a
place that belongs to them” (Barker, 70, 72).
Markwith is eventually awakened to the sense of loss the Bikinians
experience as the ship taking them to their new home begins to
head out into the lagoon, the natives lined the port rail and
began to sing a song of farewell. Until now, none of them had
shown much emotion over leaving, but as the island dropped
on the horizon their faces became very solemn, and some of
the women sniffled when they thought no one could see
them.'"
And finally,
as good-byes were being called back and forth, [between the
crew and the natives] I found myself wishing I could say, as I
had each time before, Kim naj drol iljii—“We shall return