Cultivating Identities: Re-Thinking Education in Palau A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Pacific Studies in the University of Canterbury by Kiblas Yalap Soaladaob University of Canterbury 2010 TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................ i OMERENG EL SAUL ....................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................... iv ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................... vi NOTES ....................................................................................................................................... vii GLOSSARY OF PALAUAN TERMS .................................................................................................. ix Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background of the study: .............................................................................................................. 1 1.1.1 Colonial history ............................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Statement of the Problem: ..................................................................................................... 7 1.2.1 Formal educational history ............................................................................................. 8 1.3 Purpose and Significance of the Study:................................................................................. 10 1.3.1 Tensions between western education and indigenous knowledge .............................. 10 1.3.2 Devaluing indigenous Palauan knowledge ................................................................... 11 1.3.3 Identity .......................................................................................................................... 12 1.4 Theoretical Framework and Research Questions: ................................................................ 15 1.5 Organization of the Study: .................................................................................................... 17 Chapter 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................................. 18 2.1 Indigenous Knowledge and Epistemology: ........................................................................... 19 2.1.1 What is indigenous knowledge and epistemology? ..................................................... 19 2.1.2 Palauan knowledge and epistemology ......................................................................... 20 2.1.2.1 Tekoi er a Belau ......................................................................................................... 20 2.1.2.2 Tekoi (er a Belau) and Rael ....................................................................................... 21 2.1.2.3 Bitang me a bitang .................................................................................................... 22 2.1.3 Continuation of Palauan Knowledge - siukang ............................................................. 24 2.1.3.1. Omengat ...................................................................................................................... 24 2.1.3.2 Kemeldiil .................................................................................................................... 25 2.1.3.3 Cheldecheduch .......................................................................................................... 26 2.1.3.4 Ocheraol .................................................................................................................... 27 2.1.3.5 Cheldebechel ............................................................................................................. 27 2.1.3.6 Cheldecheduch .......................................................................................................... 28 2.2 Tensions between western education and non-western paradigms of education: ............. 29 2.2.1 Formalizing education ................................................................................................... 30 2.2.2 ‘Marketization’ of education......................................................................................... 32 2.2.3 Reasoning ...................................................................................................................... 33 2.2.4. Science and the scientific method ...................................................................................... 34 2.2.5 Individualism ................................................................................................................. 35 2.2.6 Education for all ............................................................................................................ 36 2.2.7 Oral tradition and literacy ............................................................................................. 37 2.3 Identity: ................................................................................................................................. 38 2.3.1 Exploring identity .......................................................................................................... 39 2.3.2 Identity as practice ........................................................................................................ 40 2.3.3 Learning ......................................................................................................................... 41 2.3.4 Transformative education ............................................................................................. 43 2.3.5 Empowerment .............................................................................................................. 44 Chapter 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ....................................................................................... 46 3.1 The Underlining Theories: ..................................................................................................... 46 3.1.1 Narrative ....................................................................................................................... 46 3.1.2 Indigenous methodology .............................................................................................. 47 3.1.2.1 Cheldecheduch .......................................................................................................... 47 3.1.3 Rolel a tekoi - Cultural Appropriation ........................................................................... 48 3.1.4 Establishing and maintaining relationships .................................................................. 49 3.1.5 Qualitative approach ..................................................................................................... 50 3.1.5.1 Subjectivity and objectivity ....................................................................................... 50 3.1.6 Ethics and ethical considerations .................................................................................. 51 3.1.6.1 Insider and outsider ................................................................................................. 51 3.2 The Research Design: ............................................................................................................ 52 3.2.1. Background ................................................................................................................... 52 3.2.2 Selection of participants ............................................................................................... 53 3.2.2.1 A re ngeasek .............................................................................................................. 54 3.2.2.2 Ulsemuul ................................................................................................................... 55 3.4 Data Collection: ..................................................................................................................... 56 3.4.1 Background ................................................................................................................... 56 3.4.2 Questionnaires .............................................................................................................. 57 3.4.3 Interviews ...................................................................................................................... 59 3.4 Data Analysis: ........................................................................................................................ 60 3.5 Limitations: ........................................................................................................................... 60 Chapter 4: PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA: Ulimang Youth ........................................... 62 4.1 Questionnaire for the youth: ................................................................................................ 63 4.1.1 Ulimang youth ............................................................................................................... 63 Chapter 5: Presentation and Analysis of Data – Ulsemuul ............................................................ 78 5.1. The impact