I have heard a lot of talk about the revival of the Palauan culture and preservation of the Palauan heritage.The talks are beginning to sound like a freakish science experiment – dunk everything in labeled bottles of formaldehyde and then put them on display for reference (just in case, the courts demand identity verification.)
Who is Palauan? What makes a Palauan different from any other person?What culture does a Palauan practice? Where and how does a Palauan learn about being Palauan?
It is a daunting task to attempt to answer these questions wholeheartedly without a history – one that is lived.I think a Palauan is anyone who meets all of these:1) Was born and raised in Palau for at least the first 12 years of his or her life – or long enough to have a distinct and distinguished memory, 2) Has a DNA strand that could be traced to an ancestry that lived in Palau prior to the Renaissance, 3) Can speak and understand Palauan, and 4) Practices being a Palauan (as dictated by the people who raised him or her) on a daily basis.
I am Palauan – a proud dark skinned one.I speak Palauan fluently.I belong to a string of extended families that make every effort to ensure that the values they taught me are practiced – sometimes I get exhausted, but I have not quit once.I do not claim to better than anyone else, but I know who I am, where I come from, and who I belong with.I love my life.I am Palauan.I would not trade being Palauan for anything.
I am saddened however that so many Palauans have succumbed to the influences of foreign ideas, ideals, and even language.Their children know very little about the Palauan culture and are currently being “pushed” and “coached” to live in Palau as if they were foreigners.As far as language goes, Palauan is just another subject – does it have any bearing at this stage other than raise GPA’s?It is so much easier to learn English.The children run on pre-determined route for success – there is no other alternative for school.
Family life has turned nuclear.It is every family to itself – no sharing until the future is secured.Traditional family values are being replaced with foreign values that are more compatible with western family life.
I am relieved however that many of our children would not have to travel abroad to experience culture shock – the anxiety felt when one is forced to live within a culture that different than that which he or she is used to.You and I must insist that the Palauan culture, our way of life (especially our food,) our values, and our experiences perpetuate into the future – not in history books, but instilled in the hearts and minds of our children.Olekoi!I say so.
