“Melekeok is one of the 16 states of Palau, and located on Babeldaob, the largest volcanic island. Our guide, or “De Man” as we called him, took us on an incredible ancient trail where a bai (meeting house) sits at the top. The drawings represents thousands of years of history and tradition in this matrilineal society. Each of the ten beams inside the structure also holds stories of the ten clans that make up the village, which can only be told with permission from its chiefs. We were fortunate to be granted permission to hear one of the stories. It was an honor to be in this space and listen to the stories as told by a son of Palau.
… we returned to a delicious hearty local meal, and then met a few members of our guide’s family at their home, who showed us how they made cho-cho a sweet treat that Melekeok is known for. We also got a demonstration on the weaving process for making the thatched roofs of the bai using pandanus leaves, and how to weave little stars with coconut leaves. Then we drove over to an area of land set aside for residents who may want to move further inland from the coast due to erosion and rising sea levels. Our guide explained that we had now seen where Palauans lived in ancient times, where they live now, and where they will likely have to live in the future as times and tides change. It was very fitting and the storytelling was impactful. Our final stop was to see Palau National Capitol building, which gave us a sense of how Palauan society is governed by national law, yet at the same time by traditional law, which is even more highly regarded. “
- @_nerelle_ 🩵💛
Book your cultural tour with Demei (De Man)! You may email our local guide at [email protected] for inquiries and bookings