Palauan

people

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July 1, 2026

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The Palauan people are indigenous to the islands of Palau, a country in the western Pacific Ocean. Their language, Palauan, is part of the Austronesian language family. Historically, Palauans have diverse ancestry, with influences from Indonesia, New Guinea, and the Philippines.12

Palauan society is characterized by strong clan structures and a significant role for women, who control land, money, and titles. Traditional art forms include chants, storyboards, and oratory. The population of Palau is estimated to be around 17,600 people.234

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Palau
Ethnic groups and languages
…and linguistically distinct from the Palauans, are the only minority group; they trace their origin to a group of ancestral survivors of one or more canoes that drifted to Sonsorol from Ulithi Atoll, northeast of Yap.
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…and linguistically distinct from the Palauans, are the only minority group; they trace their origin to a group of ancestral survivors of one or more canoes that drifted to Sonsorol from Ulithi Atoll, northeast of Yap.
Read More