Palau has several traditional chiefs of its 16 states. A factor that resulted in the decline of chiefly authority in Palau was the introduction of elected governors, called upon in the Constitution of Palau which came into effect on 1 January 1981.[1]
This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources. |
Title | State | Incumbent | Predecessor | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Council of Chiefs | ||||
Beouch | Ngardmau | Vacant[2] | Sakaziro Demk[3] | |
Heimong | Hatohobei | Vacant[2] | ||
Ibedul | Koror | Alexander Merep[4] | Yutaka Gibbons[5] | See ibedul succession dispute. |
Maderngebuked | Ngaraard | Thomas Remengesau Jr.[6] | Thomas Remengesau Sr.[2] | |
Ngirakebou | Ngchesar | Vacant[7] | Roman Bedor[2] | |
Ngiraked | Airai | Yukiwo P. Dengokl[2] | Johnson Toribiong[8] | |
Ngirturong | Ngeremlengui | John Sugiyama[9] | Yamakazaki Rengiil[2] | |
Nurap | Sonsorol | Nicholas Aquino[2] | ||
Obak | Peleliu | Vacant[10] | Isao Singeo[2] | |
Rdechor | Kayangel | Isimang Bandarii[2] | ||
Rekemesik | Ngatpang | Surangel S. Whipps[2] | Ngiratkel Etpison[11] | Title disputed by Uchelsias Shallum Etpison, son of Ngiratkel Etpison.[12] |
Reklai | Melekeok | Raphael B. Ngirmang[2] | ||
Rengulbai | Aimeliik | Yukiwo Etpison[2] | ||
Ucherbelau | Angaur | Lorenso Edward[2] | ||
Uongerchetei | Ngerchelong | Vacant[13] | Victor Joseph[2] | |
Uongruious | Ngiwal | Vacant[14] | Paulus Wong[2] | |
Other chiefs | ||||
Bilung | Koror | Gloria Salii[5] | Female counterpart of ibedul and highest ranking female chief.[15][5] | |
Ngiraikelau | Koror | Franco Gibbons[16] | 2nd highest ranking chief in Koror.[16] | |
Uchelsias | Peleliu | Shallum Etpison[12] | Yukiwo Shmull[12] | Specifically chief of Ngesias which is the central portion of Peleliu.[12] |
Ibedul is a title given to the high chief of Koror, in Palau, who is also the head of the Idid clan.[17][18] Koror is the most populated state with approximately 64% of Palauans living there as of 2020 and so historically bearers of the title were erroneously referred to as "Kings of Pelew" despite them not having authority over all of modern-day Palau.[19][20]
Name | Portrait | Birth | Marriage(s) | Death |
---|---|---|---|---|
Abba Thulle[21] fl. 1783 |
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Ilengelekei[22] 1871 – 1911 (39–40) |
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1911 | ||
Louch[22] 1911 – 1917 (5–6) |
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1917 | ||
Tem[22] 1917 – 1943 (25–26) |
1943 | |||
Mariur[22] 1943 – 1958 (14–15) |
1958 | |||
Ngoriakl[22] 1958 – 1972 (13–14) |
1972 | |||
Yutaka Gibbons[22] 1973 – 4 November 2021 (47–48) |
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17 January 1944 | 4 November 2021 Aged 77 | |
Alexander Merep[4] February 22, 2022 – present (2 years, 117 days) |
Living |