Palau is part of the Micronesia Island chain and is located just 7o north of the Equator - giving it some of the most favourable tropical weather on earth.
In 1783, enroute to China, British Captain Henry Wison ran aground in his ship Antelope off the shores of Ulong Island and hence began Palau's contact with the 'outside world'. There were no records prior to Wilson's accidental visit so it was not clear how long the islands had been inhabited - recent carbon dating has given estimates of over 3 millenium. Detailed studies of language and culture have detected influences from Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and New Guinea.
The Spanish took control of Palau in 1885 and the islands were bought by Germany in 1899 before being passed on to Japan under the 1919 Treaty of Versailles. Although these external influences reflect the multifaceted aspect of Palau's culture, there remains a laid-back air of unspoilt paradise about the place. Today, Palau benefits from generous grants as Japan and America try to out do each other in the conservation stakes - a win win situation for the future preservation of the reefs of Palau.
Palauan culture revolves around matrilineal clans (no wonder it is such a relaxed and easy place to be!). A council of chiefs was responsible for the governing of a village whilst a parallel concil of women held an advisory role, in control of land, money and the selction of the chiefs themselves. Disputes between clans were settled with 'war' which only continued until the first man died whereby victory was claimed and the trophy head was displayed outside the winning village as a future deterent.
Palau's rich and vibrant culture of legend is kept alive through it's 'storyboards', intricately carved with a heritage of stories - and even available for sale at Koror jail, where prisoners produce these works of art in an effort to fund a fresh start on release.
