Stories and myths from Ngerkeklau and surrounding islands, Republic of Palau

Ngerkeklau is an island in Palau, renowned for its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Amazing archaeological discoveries have been found in Palau, and preservation groups in the country are inspiring new generations of Palauans to understand and care for this heritage. 

The island provides important nesting grounds for endangered species of Megapode and sea turtles of Hawksbill and Green. The surrounding lagoon provides critical feeding habitats for the turtles and the vulnerable dugong.

In 2022, StoryCenter held an online workshop for local residents through the U.S. Community Heritage Exchange Initiative. 

After sharing stories and traditional myths from Palau's past, participants were guided through writing and recording short narration scripts, producing images, and using digital editing tools.

The simple short videos that emerged are being shared as part of Palauan language preservation and conservation efforts. Listen to the stories of three of the community members below.