How do Palauan clans use wealth exchange at births and funerals?

In Palauan society, clans utilize wealth-exchange customs as a means of maintaining social cohesion and navigating the complexities of modern life. These exchanges involve the reciprocal transfer of food and services in return for money and gifts.1

Such exchanges are central to significant life events, specifically at births, house completions, and funerals. These practices reflect a broader cultural emphasis on reciprocity and redistribution, which allows Palauan clans to adapt to external influences while preserving their traditional social structures. Within this system, women play a vital role, as they control land, money, and titles, serving as the strength of the society.1