David L. Hanlon’s history set in this region, Upon a Stone Altar, draws upon soupoad (“syoh-woo-POD”) storytellers and ngihs (“eeng-EESS”) chants to detail how the priest Soukise felled a tree that ascended to Heaven and became the canoe of the god Luhk. The fisherman Satokawai jumped into flames to escape a tyrannical dynasty in this region that demanded harsh food tributes during isol, seasons of scarcity. The third mwehin (“mway-EEN”) or “era” of history in an island in this region began around 1600 as dynastic rule was replaced by chiefs called nahnmwarki; the first of whom, the demigod (*) Isohkelekel, invaded from Kosrae (“KOSS-rye”). A ruined capital in this region’s large basalt walls on artificial islets separated by canals led it to be dubbed the “Venice of the Pacific.” For 10 points, the Saudeleur (“syuh-woo-teh-leh-WOOR”) dynasty ruled what region’s island of Pohnpei from Nan Madol? ■END■
ANSWER: Micronesia [accept Senyavin Islands; accept Caroline Islands or Islas Carolinas; accept Pohnpei until read; prompt on Oceania or Pacific] (“Upon a stone altar” is a literal translation of ‘pohn pei.’)
<AMS, World History>
= Average correct buzz position