Namdrik Atoll
Former Secretary of Internal Affairs, Daisy Momotaro, with weavers on Namdrik Atoll. Photo: USP 
USP Director Dr. Irene Taafaki with Namdrik’s Tarben Jake. Photo: USP 
Proud apprentices with their jaki-ed (clothing mats) following the Namdrik weaving apprenticeship. Photo: USP 
USP’s Director Dr. Irene Taafaki speaks at the weavers’ graduation ceremony. Photo: USP 
Apprentice weavers at their graduation on Namdrik Atoll. Photo: USP 
Nancy Ejia was one of the apprentices in the 2013 Namdrik jaki-ed workshop. Photo: Susan Jieta 
Namdrik’s Sera Hosia prepares to cook the pandanus leaaves. Photo: Susan Jieta 
Namdrik’s Mauna Gideon harvest hibiscus stems for use in handicrafts. Photo: Susan Jieta 
Namdrik’s Neija Kinion lays dried pandanus leaves (maan) in the sun. Photo: Susan Jieta 
Apprentices in the jaki-ed (clothing mats) workshop held on Namdrik Atoll in 2013. Photo: Susan Jieta 
Expert weaver Patsy Jibas with Jibas Mary at a ceremony for the jaki-ed program on Nadrik. Photo: Susan Jieta 
Namdrik Atoll in the Marshall Islands
FACT FILE
Number of Islets: 2 Population RMI Census 2021: 299 (155 males, 144 females) Land Area: 1.07 square miles Lagoon Area: 3.25 square miles Namdrik yacht permit fee: $25 Namdrik Mayor: Clarence Luther Nitijela Member: Wisely Zackhras
Namdrik is one of the most southerly atolls in the Marshall Islands. It’s about 250 miles from Majuro and has just a little more than one square mile of land. Namdrik’s Nitijela Member is Wisely Zackhras, who was first elected in November, 2017, following the death of his brother Mattlan, who held the role for many years. Matt and the Mayor, Clarence Luther, were very pro-active in improving conditions on the atoll through developing various projects, including the farming of black pearls. The pearls have a high value, are easy to transport, and are non-perishable. The fact that Namdrik’s lagoon is enclosed, with no pass for boats, means it is pristine and perfect for growing pearls. Namdrik is the only place in the Marshall Islands where Black-lip pearl oysters are present in significant quantity, due to its enclosed pristine lagoon. The project is assisted by a group called Seacology, which also funded an education and surveillance center. Below are scenes from the Namdrik pearl project generously provided by the late Senator Matt.
Scenes of the Namdrik Pearl Farm 15. Photo Matt Zackhras 
Scenes of the Namdrik Pearl Farm 14. Photo Matt Zackhras 
Scenes of the Namdrik Pearl Farm 13. Photo Matt Zackhras 
Scenes of the Namdrik Pearl Farm 12. Photo Matt Zackhras 
Scenes of the Namdrik Pearl Farm 11. Photo Matt Zackhras 
Scenes of the Namdrik Pearl Farm 10. Photo Matt Zackhras 
Scenes of the Namdrik Pearl Farm 9. Photo Matt Zackhras 
Scenes of the Namdrik Pearl Farm 8. Photo Matt Zackhras 
Scenes of the Namdrik Pearl Farm 7. Photo Matt Zackhras 
Scenes of the Namdrik Pearl Farm 6. Photo Matt Zackhras 
Scenes of the Namdrik Pearl Farm 5. Photo Matt Zackhras 
Scenes of the Namdrik Pearl Farm 4. Photo Matt Zackhras 
Scenes of the Namdrik Pearl Farm 3. Photo Matt Zackhras 
Scenes of the Namdrik Pearl Farm 2. Photo Matt Zackhras 
Scenes of the Namdrik Pearl Farm 1. Photo Matt Zackhras
