Princess Uroi-Salii passes the traditions on to younger generations

Princess Uroi-Salii studies in the United States but she comes home whenever her mother needs her to participate in the traditional ceremonies of their clan.

I usually tell my friends that the women are the ones who are in charge of some things getting done.

I started dancing when I was four, around four or five, started learning with my mom and when the older women were dancing the women's dance, the Lalangloy, that's the mother dance. That dance is from the spirits, or the ancestors who passed away. And it's passing on the words from the spirits down to the family who are still alive. And some of the words, we don't understand, but, it's because the spirits or ancestors, it's their language, but yet it sounds really nice to hear. It gives you goose bumps when you hear the words.

The women who were dancing, all have different colors for the skirts, which represents each clan. The colors were given away long ago, so that's how we differentiate each clan. The colors of my clan are black, yellow, and red. Those are the colors of my mom's clan.

My position as Queen Bilung's daughter is to be part of the traditions such as dancing, and passing it on to younger generations.

Living in the States, I see a very big difference between cultures. And when I come here, back home to Palau everybody lives their culture. It's very different especially how the women are in power, and I usually tell my friends that the women are the ones who are in charge of same things getting done.

Traditions are passed on from mother to child. My position as my mother's daughter, as Queen Bilung's daughter is to be part of most of the traditions such as dancing, and showing my culture, passing it on to younger generations.

The future that I see for Palauans is actually very strong. And the culture is getting stronger. Ten years ago Palauans wanted to be Americans, and now Palauans are trying to keep the culture the tradition living.