Traditional chiefs of Palau
Palauan leaders
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Palau has several traditional chiefs of its 16 states. A factor that resulted in the decline of chiefly authority in Palau was the introduction of elected governors, called upon in the Constitution of Palau which came into effect on 1 January 1981.[1]
List of current chiefs
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| Title | State | Incumbent | Predecessor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Council of Chiefs | ||||
| Beouch | Ngardmau | Demei Obakrairur[2] | Sakaziro Demk[3] | |
| Heimong | Hatohobei | Vacant[2] | ||
| Ibedul | Koror | Alexander Merep[4] | Yutaka Gibbons[5] | See ibedul succession dispute. |
| Maderngebuked | Ngaraard | Thomas Remengesau Jr.[6] | Thomas Remengesau Sr.[2] | |
| Ngirakebou | Ngchesar | Andres Madraisau[7] | Roman Bedor[2] | |
| Ngiraked | Airai | Yukiwo P. Dengokl[2] | Johnson Toribiong[8] | |
| Ngirturong | Ngeremlengui | John Sugiyama[9] | Yamakazaki Rengiil[2] | |
| Nurap | Sonsorol | Nicholas Aquino[2] | ||
| Obak | Peleliu | Vacant[10] | Isao Singeo[2] | |
| Rdechor | Kayangel | Isimang Bandarii[2] | ||
| Rekemesik | Ngatpang | Surangel S. Whipps[2] | Ngiratkel Etpison[11] | Title disputed by Uchelsias Shallum Etpison, son of Ngiratkel Etpison.[12] |
| Reklai | Melekeok | Raphael B. Ngirmang[2] | ||
| Rengulbai | Aimeliik | Yukiwo Etpison[2] | ||
| Ucherbelau | Angaur | Lorenso Edward[2] | ||
| Uongerchetei | Ngerchelong | Mathias Erbai[13] | Victor Joseph[2] | |
| Uongruious | Ngiwal | Vacant[14] | Paulus Wong[2] | |
| Other chiefs | ||||
| Bilung | Koror | Gloria Salii[5] | Ngerdoko[15] | Female counterpart of ibedul and highest ranking female chief.[16][5] |
| Ngiraikelau | Koror | Franco Gibbons[17] | 2nd highest ranking chief in Koror.[17] | |
| Uchelsias | Peleliu | Shallum Etpison[12] | Yukiwo Shmull[12] | Specifically chief of Ngesias which is the central portion of Peleliu.[12] |
Ibedul
Ibedul is a title given to the high chief of Koror, in Palau, who is also the head of the Idid clan.[18][19] Koror is the most populated state with approximately 64% of Palauans living there as of 2020. Historically, bearers of the title were sometimes erroneously referred to as "Kings of Pelew" despite them not having authority over all of modern-day Palau.[20][21]
List of known ibeduls
| Name | Portrait | Birth | Marriage(s) | Death |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abba Thulle[22] fl. 1783 |
 |
|||
| Ilengelekei[23] 1871 – 1911 (39–40) |
 |
1911 | ||
| Louch[23] 1911 – 1917 (5–6) |
 |
1917 | ||
| Tem[23] 1917 – 1943 (25–26) |
1943 | |||
| Mariur[23] 1943 – 1958 (14–15) |
1958 | |||
| Ngoriakl[23] 1958 – 1972 (13–14) |
1972 | |||
| Yutaka Gibbons[23] 1973 – 4 November 2021 (47–48) |
 |
17 January 1944 | 4 November 2021 Aged 77 | |
| Alexander Merep[4] February 22, 2022 – present (4 years, 33 days) |
Living |
