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Author: Olkeriil Eoghan Ngirudelsang
Palau National Stadium, Koror – July 3-4, 2024
A two-day forum last week brought together Palau’s traditional leaders to discuss pressing issues of authority and role they face in modern Palauan society. The theme of the forum was “Respecting, Honoring and Preserving Our Fundamental Traditional Values,” and issues discussed included multiple chiefs claiming the same title and the apparent decline in power of the Klobak system.
One of the most prominent concerns raised by Rubekul Belau, the national organization of chiefs, is the confusion surrounding the traditional chief selection process. Chiefs have expressed concern about individuals being given titles without a full understanding of their cultural responsibilities. Chief Ngirkungiil of Melekeok specifically pointed out that “chiefs are being appointed to traditional titles without due diligence to learn their traditional roles and responsibilities within the tribe.”
Antonio Bells, former vice president and Ngarade chief, believes the problem of multiple applicants for the same title is partly due to financial incentives. “Money and the system where we pay the chiefs’ salaries with taxpayers’ money is the root of this problem,” he argued.
Further complicating matters, Ngeremlengui Chief John Sugiyama recounted an instance where Chief Ngeremlengui resolved a dispute over who should become Chief Lungubai in Aimeliik. However, a senior female leader in Aimeliik (Chief Lungubai’s counterpart), Dirrengulbai Sariang Timulch, disputed this account, saying: “A Ngirturong a keleng mla mecheuid” (Perhaps Ngirturong was misunderstood). This disagreement highlights the complexity of the issue of selecting chiefs in Palau.
Traditionally, the tribe’s higher-ranking female members would choose the chieftain by consensus, a process that would be broken down if no consensus or compromise could be reached, resulting in two or more people vying for the title of chieftain.
The proliferation of controversial titles is seen as a threat to Palau’s unity. As one high school student who attended the forum said, “I’m not sure what the role of chiefs is in our modern system of government, but I know we have to protect our culture, and to do that they should have a role and authority in our government.”
The Forum serves as an important platform for Palau’s traditional leaders to openly discuss challenges and work towards solutions to ensure customary practices continue to be relevant in Palau’s modern society.
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