Oublallang (el ngar er ngii a chesuch el bad), Ngeremlengui
Oublallang er a Ngereklengong
( El Ngar er Ngii a Chesuch el bad)
Site Type: Terrace/ Monolith
Location: Ngeremlengui
Date Registered: February 14, 2001
Site No: B:NM-2:9; F1 to F4
HISTORY
In recognition of its significance, Oublallang (el ngar er ngii a chesuch el bad)/ Terrace Set with Monoliths site number B:NM-2:9 Feature 1 to Feature 4 has been listed in the Palau Register of Historic Places on February 14, 2001. Through preservation, study, and interpretation, the site can serve to educate future generations concerning the historical and cultural heritage of the Palauan people and the traditional village of Ngereklengong, Ngeremlengui .
During this survey, the site was visited and several features were identified. These includes monoliths and stone platforms. The site occupies a small savanna south of another terraces identified as site number B:NM-2:8 and immediately to the west of Ngereklengong village.
The two monoliths called chesuch (owl) stand in the middle of the savanna. They stand approximately one meter high and 50 centimeters wide with basalt rocks at their bases. According to the map, feature 2 is a well defined monolith with big round eyes, high cheekbones and beak as a mouth. Feature 3 is a less defined monolith, but the big round eyes can still be identified. The top had been shaped into a cone giving it an appearance of a female and feature 2 as a male. Feature 1 is a stone platform shaped like “L”. Feature 4 is a circular platform with a well defined side. Ngereklengong public cemetary is to the southeast side of the savanna. The protection and preservation of this site will continue as it holds the importance of its stone design and structure to strengthen, promote and educate Palau future generation and its history.
Feature 2: Chesuch el Bad (Sechal)
Feature 3: Chesuch el Bad (Redil)
CHELDECHEDECHAL
Tia el olsechall el Oublallang (el ngar er ngii a chesuch el bad) el site number B:NM-2:9 Feature 1 el mora Feature 4 a siliseb er a omsengelel a klalo er a ibetel a cherechar (Palau Register of Historic Places) er se er a February 14, 2001. Tia el olsechall a ta er a mekreos el ibetel a cherechar er a Belau, el kmal klou a ultutelel el olsechall el mo er a rechad me a beluu er a Ngereklengong, Ngeremlengui.
Tia el olsechall el B:NM-2:9 a ngar er a kekerei el obuich el ked el mo bedul a dimes er a olsechall el B:NM-2:8 (terrace set), e ngar er a mo bedul a ngebard er a beluu er a Ngereklengong. A omeuachel er a Ometubet a omuchel er a bita er aika el oublallang el bukl el merael e mo tuobed er a daob er a Ngeremetengel. A chelsel tia el olsechall a ngar er ngii a teblong el btangch el klikm el dechor er a belengel tia el mededaes el obuich el ked el bekord el 1 metor a klemengetel me a 50 centimeters a haba er ngii e cheldukl a uchul er a mekekerei el badritech.
E a rechad er a beluu er a Ngeremlengui el ullengeseu er a survey a kmo aika el teblong el btangch el klikm a chesuch a ngklel el sechal me a redil. A feature 2 a sechal me a feature 3 a redil e le ng ngar er ngii a blengtelel. Momes er a map. Feature 1 a odesongel el ko er a teletelel a “L”. A feature 4 me ng dirrek el odesongel e chaibibeob a teletelel e kltukel a tkul el meliuekl. Tia el olsechall el ngar er ngii aika el klikm er ngii a ditang el uaisei a teletelel el ngar er a ked er a Ngeremlengui, me ng kmal klou a belkul el le mecheluolu me lak el metemall e lolemolem el medechel e klalou er a ibetel a cherechar.
Map showing B:NM-2:9 Location (Olsudong et al 1998. Pp:36)
FY’21 Site Rehabilitation and Conservation Project
The site rehabilitation and conservation project of Oublallang (el ngar er ngii a chesuch el bad), Ngereklengong located in Ngeremlengui State commence on March 10, 2023 and completed on September 30, 2023. The project involved clearing overgrowth trees on stone platforms and monoliths. Cutting any unnecessary tress, bushes and vines within and around the site. Other modifications such as realigning the rocks will be supervised by village elders and monitored by the Bureau. Stone platforms such as feature 1 and feature 4 that are misplaced or fallen must be restored. Including a construction of a 2ft x 3ft interpretive sign using traditional materials at the site.
The main purpose of this project is to educate and motivate the public, especially the affected villagers to realize the importance of the site and its potential economic benefits. Through the project, the concerned executives, traditional leaders and individuals could be reminded once again that these precious resources are theirs and should be maintained for many reasons: for present and future generations to learn and enjoy; for continuous education; for heritage tourism; and for economic development.
Governor Mary Frances Remengesau and the community of Ngeremlengui State feel fortunate to have one of their precious sites rehabilitated and have access for visitors. They believe that this is one way for others to learn about their state’s history and thanked the Bureau of Cultural and Historical Preservation under the Ministry of Human Resources, Culture, Tourism and Development for their on-going efforts in helping small communities little by little with their financial assistance.
REFERENCE:
Archaeological Survey in Ngatpang and Ngeremlengui States. Republic of Palau by David Snyder and Brian M. Butler. October 1989.
Anthropomorphic Stone Monoliths on the Islands of Oreor and Babeldaob. Republic of Belau (Palau), Micronesia by Jo Anne Van Tilburg. July 1991.
Collective Works of Hijikata Hisakatsu: Society and Life in Palau. Edited by Endo Hisashi. 1993
The Archaeology of the Palau Islands – An Intensive Survey by Douglas Osborne. 1996
Olsudong, Rita. Calvin T. Emesiochel. Errolflynn T. Kloulechad. 1998. Inventory of Cultural Sites and Oral History in Ngeremlengui and Imeliik States. Volume I: Inventory of Cultural Sites. Division of Cultural Affairs (Historic Preservation Office). Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs. Pp. 35-36.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Given the importance of this site to Palauans in terms of their history and culture and the concerns that exist in regard to its future, those visiting the site should not engage in any type of behavior or activity that disturbs the integrity of this site or diminishes the respect that should be accorded to it.
PALAU HISTORIC PRESERVATION GUIDELINES
Because of the importance and sensitivity surrounding this and all historical registered sites, the Palau Historic Preservation Office would like to emphasize proper conduct for visiting a site through the following guidelines.
1) Remember that many sites include culturally sensitive areas and therefore behavior should be always be respectful.
2) Remember to take everything you bring to the site with you when you leave.
3) Do not remove anything from the site. Although you may not think something is significant to the site, all pieces make up the whole.
Location of Oublallang (El Ngar er Ngii a Chesuch el Bad)
For additional information on this or any other Registered site, Please contact:
The Bureau of Cultural and Historical Preservation
Ministry of Human Resources, Culture, Tourism, and Development
P.O Box 100, Koror, Palau 96940
Tel: (680) 767-1126/ (680) 767-2452
Email: [email protected]
Please contact the state prior to travel and obtain visitation permission:
Ngeremlengui State Government
P.O Box 10047
Koror, Palau 96940
Tel: (680) 733-2967/** Fax (680) 733-3000**
Email: [email protected]