How did Palauan men’s meetinghouses display myths and historical scenes?

In Palau, men’s meetinghouses—often referred to as clubhouses—are the most significant examples of representational art in the region. These structures display myths and historical scenes through the use of horizontal planks that screen the gables of the buildings.1

These planks are both engraved and painted to depict these narratives. In addition to these gable screens, other architectural elements of the meetinghouses, such as the support posts and beams, feature relief carvings that mirror the style of the gable decorations. While these traditional artistic practices were historically central to the decoration of clubhouses, modern Palauan society has seen a shift where such storyboards are now frequently produced for sale to tourists.12