Ngchesar State, PALAU written by Allyne Andrew Ngchesar is a beautiful state of the Republic of Palau. It is also the location of a Mangrove forest, where shrimp, prawns, and crabs thrive. The current state flag of Ngchesar shows six stars surrounding a bird, which is facing the hoist, on a green backround. Ngchesar State’s population is 267 inhabitants who live on an area of 41 km2. The sacred totem of Ngchesar is the Stingray, taking on two forms: on land - a bird as reflected on the State flag - and in the ocean - a stingray.
relations to Ngchesar obey the taboos and rules set by elders of the state in regards to the stingray god. The gods come in two forms, a bird which is identified on the state flag, and the white-spotted stingray. The main topic of taboo is not to disturb nor hurt the stingray, in both land and sea form. On the other hand, if the taboo is disobeyed or violated, victims and their families will go through pains almost similar to what they’ve done to the gods. The early Palauans developed a complex and highly organized social system that today mystifies all but the most dedicated anthropologist. In the Palauan matrilineal system, which still exists, nuclear families and extended families, called clans, were related through the mother’s side of the family. The mother’s brother had a role nearly equal to the natural father in providing for the children. And many children were adopted, always within the extended family and often as a means to manipulate land, wealth and human resources. Men ruled as chiefs, but it was the women who Spotted Eagle Ray, Photograph by Kevin Davidson, Courtesy of Sam’s Tours chose those chiefs and had the Both are called “Ochaeiu“, a Palauan term, to its power to rescind chiefly status. Women also held people and most of whom recognizes him. I look the money of the clan. My biological mother forward to sharing my knowledge and some of originated from Ngchesar, which entitles me to be the experiences I have had in relation to the a strong Ngchesar citizen, rather than from my sacred totem of Ngchesar, the Stingray. father’s side. I’ve not just learned but have seen Though the origin of the Palauan people is shrouded with my own eyes how such punishments have in folklore and legend, the most accepted theory, been enforced and the results that follow. In based on linguistic similarities, holds that the some cases where the taboo was violated, death islands were settled thousands of years ago by may occur or sickness that has no known cause. people migrating from Southeast Asia and But the gods are forgiving. If violators become Indonesia - people who thought nothing of aware of their wrongdoings and seek forgiveness, sailing hundreds of miles across unchartered seas usually in money form, then the gods will allow in open outrigger canoes. This remains the origin forgiveness through a human person speaking. of the Palauan people, but each individual state A gathering is held, where families prepare for the has its their own totem as well as their own next steps of forgiveness, whether it’ll be a hot beliefs in life and the many superstitions that medicinal bath or other traditional herbal medication. came about. In the cases l’ve witnessed, all were cured and As for Ngchesar, it is important that all blood are living daily, normal lives.
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