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The
first Palauans (1,000 BC) lived an isolated existence.
The islands were rich in resources and the Palauans
practiced terrace farming as well as fishing and
hunting.
The remains of the terrace farming can still be
seen today.
It is believed that because the natural resources
on the islands were so abundant, the Palauans
had much time to practice artistic skills, construction,
and politics.
Two different chiefs have traditionally ruled
the northern and southern islands. That is still
true to this day, the titles are still held by
individuals and clans.
It is estimated that there were 40,000 Palauans
living in the islands at the time of the first
Europeans arrived, when captain Henry Wilson shipwrecked
on the island of Ulong in 1783. The islanders
lived in a prosperous and complex society that
was highly organized. As is still true today,
women had an important advisory role and exercised
influential control over land and money.
The British controlled the island until 1885,
when the Spanish took over. Christianity became
a strong influence on the Palauans. Diseases also
took a toll on the local population.
The Germans bought Palau and the rest of the Caroline
Islands after Spain lost the Spanish American
War in 1899.
The German administrators introduced methods for
stemming diseases, which were a godsend to the
decimated Palauans.
Japan took control of the islands in 1914 and ruled
till the end of World War II. The Japanese built
the islands into progressive and productive communities
that specialized in mining, agriculture, and fisheries.
The islands of Anguar and Peleliu were the settings
for battles. The battle of Peleliu lasted three
very bloody months. A two-day air strike sunk a
major block of the Japanese fleet. The war bits
and pieces still remain today. Koror was wiped out
after the US forces took control of the islands.
The job of rebuilding the intricate and productive
Japanese infrastructure continues today, as the
United States assumed a very passive role in administering
the islands during the past four decades.
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New
Drop Off -
Photo: Fish 'n Fins Palau |
Temple
of doom -
Photographer: L. Pozzoli |
Eagle
at Blue Corner -
Photographer: Lange |
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