Revitalizing Palauan Literature and Culture

Koror, Palau – “Tekoi Enterprise, a company I founded in 2009, grew out of my love and interest in the art, culture, and history of the Pacific,” says Meked Besebes, founder of Tekoi Enterprise. “Its mission is to produce quality products in various forms that showcase the unique culture, history, and arts of Palau and the wider Pacific region.”

Besebes’ work has long been dedicated to storytelling and cultural preservation. Tekoi Enterprise collaborates with communities, drawing inspiration from oral traditions, historical sites, and landscapes. She has participated in two Festivals of Pacific Arts (FestPac) in Guam and Hawaii, where she worked alongside oral historians, writers, and poets to celebrate and document Pacific storytelling traditions. “I participated in the past two Festivals of Pacific Arts in Guam and Hawaii as part of the Literary Arts group. I had the great opportunity to work with oral historians, writers, poets, and the cultural preservation community in Palau and around the Pacific.”

Building a Creative Literary Community

After her participation in FestPac Hawaii in 2024, Besebes was inspired to encourage more people to explore creative writing. “FestPac Hawaii (2024) reignited my interest in encouraging those inclined toward creative writing to begin writing,” she shared. This motivation led her to showcase Tekoi Enterprise at the 680 Night Market, where she displayed books acquired during the festival. “At this first night market, I received so much positive feedback from patrons, who expressed a desire to see more. I think there is a real opportunity to build the creative literary community here.”

A Life Rooted in Culture and Storytelling

Besebes’ family history is deeply intertwined with Palau’s cultural and educational development. “My mother’s and father’s lineage is from Ngarchelong and Ngaraard. However, our family history began at Ibobang, Ngatpang, when both my parents, having just returned from college, contributed their efforts to building Belau Modekngei High School. From there, we went to Ngarchelong to live with my maternal grandparents before moving to Koror in the late 1980s. That’s another part of my upbringing that I would like to write more about; it’s a shared history that we have with others and is very important to remember.”

One of her greatest influences was Dr. Karen Nero, a cultural anthropologist. “Dr. Karen Nero was influential in my life; she passed away in January 2024,” she said. “Through my own work as an ethnographer, I have heard so many stories of the land, and I truly believe that we must write our stories to capture the essence of who we are, both collectively and individually.”

A Reflection Through Writing

Besebes’ commitment to storytelling is not just professional but deeply personal. Her recent literary piece, Ta er a Ungil Sils, reflects on the profound connection between nature and cultural memory.

Ta er a Ungil Sils by Meked Besebes – January 2025

On a rainy Sunday afternoon, a metau coconut fell, its impact unlike any other, I was plunged into a dreamy reflection, the sound of the coconut echoing through my mind like a mystical invitation.

Choto er a Metau:

The rhythmic patter of rain against the corrugated iron roof was a constant companion to the afternoon’s quietude. Suddenly, a loud THUD shattered the tranquility.

A mature brown coconut, heavy and ripe, detached itself from the towering 55-foot coconut palm and plummeted towards the worn-out cement road leading up to our wooden house.

The impact was a jarring intrusion into the lazy Sunday afternoon. The coconut, split open upon impact, rolls down the road, its milky water leaking through its husk into the puddles already forming from the persistent rain. The sudden impact was a reminder of the raw power of nature in this tropical paradise.

Mekelkolt a beluu:

The rain continued to fall, a steady rhythm against the corrugated iron roof. The air was cool and fresh, the smell of damp earth and wet leaves filling the air. The small canal, once clogged with debris, now flowed freely-omaoch a baoch.

Lukel a klengar:

The taro swamp area, once a muddy mess, was now a lush green oasis, the taro plants thriving in the abundant water. The rain continues to support life back to the land, washing away the dust and grime of the season.

A mesei a delal a telid:

I walked along the canal, the sound of the water soothing my soul. The rain had washed away all the worries of the world, leaving me feeling peaceful and content. I stopped to admire the beauty of the taro swamp area, the vibrant green leaves, a mesei a delal a telid.

Odanges:

The rain continued to fall, but I no longer noticed it. I was lost in the beauty of the moment, the peacefulness of the rain, the life-giving power of the water-odanges el mo er a ulemeob.

Semiich er a Ngerchemai:

Nothing remained untouched by the pristine rain, which brought much-needed water and a welcome coolness to the neighborhood-beluu er a Smiich.

Looking Ahead

With Tekoi Enterprise gaining momentum, Besebes envisions a future where Palauan literature flourishes. “This year, I decided to bring Tekoi Enterprise to the 680 Night Market to share my passion and promote creative writing in the community. I also displayed books I acquired while at FestPac last July,” she said.

She hopes to inspire more writers to document their experiences, ensuring that the stories of Palau’s past and present are preserved for future generations. “Writing is a way to honor our heritage. It’s how we keep our stories alive.”

Through her work, Besebes continues to foster a space for creativity, storytelling, and cultural preservation—one book, one reflection, and one community interaction at a time.

By: Eustoria Marie Borja