ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Micronesian navigation

Micronesian navigation is when people who live in a place called Micronesia go out into the open ocean to travel from one island to another. Instead of using modern things like maps or GPS, they navigate using their own knowledge and skills that have been passed down from their ancestors.

They use stars, the sun, the feel of the ocean waves and even the flight patterns of birds to figure out which way to go. They also pay attention to things like the temperature and color of the water, the shapes of the clouds in the sky, and the position of certain stars in relation to the horizon.

The people who do this are called master navigators and they are highly respected in their communities. They can guide their wooden boats, called canoes, across vast distances without getting lost. It takes a lot of training and practice to become a master navigator, but it is seen as an important part of their culture and history.

Micronesian navigation is still used today, but not as much as in the past because modern technology has made it easier to travel by boat. However, many people in Micronesia still value this skill and are working to keep it alive for future generations to learn and appreciate.