Leroij (chief) Atama Zedkaia, 79, the paramount chief for Majuro Atoll and mother of the country’s President Jurelang Zedkaia, died Friday and was accorded a state funeral at the parliament earlier this week in keeping with this nation’s respect for its customary leaders.
About one thousand black clad family members and friends marched in a solemn procession behind a police honor guard and a hearse carrying the late chief’s remains from Majuro Hospital to the nearby parliament chamber.
Flags around the Marshall Islands are flying at half-mast through Saturday, according to a proclamation from the president’s office issued by Minister in Assistance Ruben Zackhras declaring a week of national mourning.
In the state funeral ceremony, the late chief was fondly recalled for demanding that her children be humble despite their lofty traditional status.
Her eldest son and President Jurelang Zedkaia reminisced in the nationally broadcast state funeral about growing up with his mother. Her “be humble” message has stayed with him throughout his life, the President said.
He recalled one time when he was young that he returned home and his mother was unhappy about his being called an “iroij” (chief). She proceeded to slap his arm with a fork to emphasize her point about being humble, he said, adding that because of this for a period of time he didn’t realize that he was an chief.
With her passing, the president assumes the title of traditional chief for all of the Majuro lands previously governed by Leroij Atama. While she was alive, the president carried out chiefly duties on behalf of his mother, and now will do so in his own right. Zedkaia was elected president last year following the first successful vote of no confidence.
Of the five presidents elected since constitution government began in 1979, four have been traditional chiefs.
Parliament Speaker Alvin Jacklick eulogized the late chief, saying it was appropriate for her to be honored in a state funeral because of her role in the establishment of the Marshall Islands government back in the 1970s. She was a strong supporter of the Marshall Islands political leadership that led a movement in the 1970s to break away from the rest of Micronesia to establish an independent constitution. Jacklick pointed out that bedrock of the Marshall Islands Constitution is it recognizes the custom of the Marshall Islands, including the important role of traditional leaders.
Following the state funeral, the late chief’s remains were moved to the nearby Assembly of God Church for ongoing funeral services. Her burial is scheduled for Saturday.
