JeRome Temengil

THE REPUBLIC OF PALAU IS MADE UP OF SIXTEEN INDIVIDUAL STATES.

THE BIG ISLAND OF BABELDAOB IS DIVIDED INTO 10 STATES WITH

THE OTHER SIX AS ISLANDS SURROUNDED BY WATER WITH 1 TO THE NORTH

AND THE OTHER FIVE TO THE SOUTH!  THE STATES ARE LISTED BELOW STARTING FROM THE NORTH TO THE SOUTH!

 

KAYANGEL: was originally named “Ngedebuul.”  Declared by many to be almost picture perfect, this undisturbed and quiet island is one of Palau’s only true Atolls.  A story has it that a stricken father from Ngedebuul destroyed Ngeruangel, an island located northwest of this atoll, by flood in retaliation when warriors of Ngeruangel tortured and killed his son.  It is also believed that many of the high ranking positions and family clans of most villages in Babeldaob originated from Ngedebuul’s neighboring island of Ngeruangel, which is currently a conservation area.

 

NGERCHELONG: this state is known for its large monoliths called “Badrulchau” and is among one of the most impressive archeological sites in Palau.  In ancient times, the state was called “Rteluul.”  There are at least 37 monoliths in two major rows.  Many legends surround these massive boulders.  It is said that gods or supernatural spirits constructed the columns as supports for a colossal “bai” or men’s meeting house, which could have held thousands of people.  The “bai” was to have been constructed entirely of stone and what is believed to be an unfinished portion can still be detected under the sea at the vicinity of Ngerbau.  Others say that the Portuguese were responsible for the stonework.  Archeologists have excavated at the site and radiocarbon dates on the materials ranged from 90 AD to 1665 AD.  While most research may further pinpoint these dates, it is assumed that there has been a long period of human occupation in this area.

 

NGARAARD: or better known in the olden days as “Kerradel,” is distinguished by access to docks and waterfronts on either side of Babeldaob.  Ancient people of Kerradel built stone pathways connecting villages on the eastern and western coastal shores.  Kerradel is also known for its pallid beaches on the eastern coastline and mangroves on the western side.

 

NGIWAL: loved by Palauans for its “honeymoon beach,” here lies a compact village with a long sandy beach.  Two of the most famous legends of Palau, Surech (whose extraordinary beauty and love for a young man from Kerradel resulted in her untimely death) and Meduu ra Ngibtal (the fish bearing breadfruit tree, which sunk the island of Ngibtal) comes from Ngiwal or “Kiuluul,” as known in ancient times.

 

MELEKEOK: fringed by miles of white beaches, one of the first attractions to be seen in “Ngetelngal,” the original name, are the five stone monoliths commonly referred to as “stone faces.”  They range in height from 3.3 feet to 8.6 feet.  Legend says that the spirit ODALMELECH (god of Ngermelech village in Ngetelngal) and his councilmen set out to lay huge stonework over the village ground.  That night, they commenced bringing in huge reef stones for the project but the work was only partially completed when the first light of dawn approached.  ODALMELECH, seeing that his cohorts could not finish the project before daylight, called his crew together and told them of the humiliation as spirit gods caught by ordinary people in the morning daylight doing measly work.  So he commanded them to carve all their faces on the stones and placed them to eternally face the eastern horizon and the rising Sun.

 

NGCHESAR: “Oldiais,” as it was known than, is laced with an intricate network of mangroves.  Here, near the mouth of the Ngerdorch River of Ngersuul village, is to be found one of the best quality pottery clays in Palau.  “OCHAIO,” the state’s spirit god comes in the form of both the hawk-face spotted stingray and the Audubon shearwater bird.  Even today, the fish and the bird should not be caught or injured by anyone with blood relations to the people of this state as it is believed that doing so will result in disastrous consequences.

 

AIRAI: perhaps next in advance of development, “Belias” boast many historic events and heroic legends as depicted in the rafters and beams of the oldest “bai” in Palau, known to have been constructed over a hundred years ago completely with local materials and lashed together without the use of nails.

  

AIMELIIK: or “Ngerbuns” is Palau’s rainiest spot.  One may see many of the prehistoric terraces of the villages that rise like ancient staircases to the skies.  Massive cutting and building by ancient people with old-fashioned tools reshaped entire hillsides.

 

NGATPANG: a hilly area with an inland bay, her people are believed to have discovered the making and use of fire to light the night.  “Ngerdubech,” as it was identified than, is famous for one of her legend of the people who descended from the sky on a makeshift rope.

 

NGAREMLENGUI: “Imeungs” is the state’s original name and is probably the largest of the 16 states of Palau.  One may find the remains of some of the villages that had important roles in the legends of the spirit goddess “MILAD.”  According to the Palauan mythology, MILAD re-populated and created anew the Palau islands after the great flood.  She gave birth to four children, the four corner posts or foremost villages of Palau,… Imeungs (Ngeremlengui), Ngetelngal (Melekeok), Ngerbuns (Aimeliik), and Ernguul (Koror).

 

NGARDMAU: is the state of which one may find the largest waterfall and the highest peak, estimated to be as high as 713 feet above sea level.  The ancient people of Ngardmau called her “Ongedechuul.”

 

KOROR: with the help of off-island strangers with their spears that spits fire and thunder killing an enemy from afar, Chief IBEDUL defeated every other of the powerful villages of Palau and ascended to the position of Paramount Chief of all the islands.  “Ernguul” is what most ancient villagers knew it by name.  Yapese stone money were quarried in one of the many of Koror’s rock islands and taken on canoes to Yap.

 

PELELIU: a flat platform island formerly called “Odesangel,” the island is just within the southern tip of Palau’s barrier reef.  With many outstanding beaches and good swimming, Odesangel also has an inland underground cave of salt water and been known also as the natural museum of World War II relics.

 

ANGAUR: or “Edeaur,” as it was known than, is outside the barrier reef system and popular for the many blowholes.  From Edeaur comes the legendary tales and myths of the creation of the Palau islands by the giant demi-god UAB.

 

SONSOROL: approximately 180-240 miles south of Babeldaob, is “Dongosaro,” roughly translated as “very dark.”  Another named previously used by the people of this tiny island was “Sanaiterae.”

 

HATOHOBEI: located beyond at the very far south of Palau’s region is “Hatoho-Bei” or roughly translated by combining two words as Hatoho (power) and Bei (sorcery)…. power of sorcery.  The extensive but untouched atoll life makes the island a natural sanctuary for many species of turtles and seabirds, especially on the reef-like conservation area beyond Hocharihie (reef of the giant clams) or known as Helen Reef.