Ngemelis-1982
This blog documents my exploration into and thoughts about Palauan cha-cha and other beches chelitakl (new music). I lived in Palau and Yap during the years 1980 through 1984, initially as a Peace Corps volunteer and later as a consulting engineer operating as Kereomel Water Systems Consultants. During that time, I came to love Palauan cha-cha, especially the songs that were “oldies” back in the day. The Palauan interpretation of the Japanese melodies spoke to me then, and continues to speak to me today. Some of that fondness is undoubtedly related to memories of our youth, and the soundtrack that accompanied it; the Palauan expression adidil era irechar [remembering/reflecting on the old days] comes to mind.
I am a Civil Engineer by training and practice, but have been an amateur musician since my early years, primarily playing mandolin and guitar. Besides Palauan cha-cha music, I spend a lot of time playing American old-time fiddle music on fiddle, mandolin and guitar. You can listen to some recordings of my music at my YouTube or SoundCloud pages.
Sha Merirei put together a nice interview of me in the following hour-long program. I talk about Palauan String Band music and what makes it special to me.
Ouchacha 
By chance, I saw you play this afternoon at the Berkeley Old Time Music Convention’s Spring Situation. Thank you for giving me an introduction to this lovely music from Palau—and for playing it and telling us about it with so much love. I hope you noticed how deeply you drew us all in. Pure pleasure.
And thank you Palau!!
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My parents were in the Peace Corps and located in Palau before before I was born in the 80’s. Every morning when I was a kid, my mom would sing me a “good morning” song in Palauan, that I think is called Ungil Tutau E kau a ua ngarang. I want to find a version of children singing the song, or any version to use in a screenplay for a class in school, but its been tough finding anything. All help is greatly appreciated, and please ask any clarifying questions if my description of the song/name is incorrect. The lyrics go Ungil tutau, ungil tutau, Ungil tutau, ke uangerang? Ungil tutau, ungil tutau, Ak mesisiich. Sulang!
I was pointed in your direction and really hope you can help me out. Thanks
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I know the song well, but I’ve never heard a recording of it. Maybe someone reading the blog can make a recording?
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I used to sing this song to my kids to wake them up in the morning. They got a little tired of it (smile) My daughter – now 44 years old – recently reminded me of this.
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Yep, you have the words correct. Joel Miles
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Hi Jim! I know almost nothing about Palau, but one of the classrooms at our school has adopted Palau as its country to explore for the next few months, and it’s my job to enrich their exploration with the music of Palau. I’ve just bought one of your albums from the bandcamp site and think it will give me a feel for things! But if you were going to pick a song or two to share with second graders- simple lyrics, a meaning that everyone can relate to, something that seems the essence of Palau music- what would you pick? Thanks!
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Thank you for your interest in Palau and Palauan music. I wrote an article in response to your question: https://wp.me/p6WC5Y-VU A video chat with a class in Palau is do-able (they now have fiber optic internet connection), except for the time difference. Good luck!
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Jim, you are awesome. Thank you! I will be using this! We are in the planning stages now. By the end of May I should be able to tell you how everything went!
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I apologize for the length of the comment below. If I knew how to write to you directly, I would, but I couldn’t find a way to do that, so I am using this comments section.
Dear Jim Geselbracht:
I finally began reading your blog, Ouchacha, today; it has been on my list of favorites since I heard you and my former sister-in-law, Pia Morei (I was married to Pia’s older sister, Hida, who died in 1986), on the radio – was that earlier this year, or was it last year? I was very sorry to miss your program at the Museum with my friend, Oldiais, but illness kept me at home that evening. Oldiais and Pia’s younger sister, Cesca, had a band in Honolulu called The Melidiul Band with Gamaluel Etumai and sometimes one or two others (I’m trying to remember: I think Juana Remeliik sang with them sometimes and there must have been someone else). This was in 1984 or ‘85, when we were all students at UH – Cesca was living with us at the time and they often practiced at our house. Oldiais was Pia’s classmate in the Catholic Mission Schools, by the way, and went by the name of Vincent then. Anyway… I hope my reminiscences are not too boring. I can tell that I am getting old, lol (67).
I don’t think you and I have ever met, but I think you must be the PCV who had a recording of “Heartaches By the Number” playing on Ngerel Belau – must have been early ‘80s. Yes?
So, as I started out to say, I finally began to read your blog this afternoon while waiting for the rain to stop (typical July afternoon in Palau). I started with your most recent entry, in March of this year. Thank you very much. I found it both informational and entertaining: a great combination. It was nice to hear Sikitong again, and Halley Eriich, who was my classmate at Marianas High School in Saipan in 1969-70, and to learn about a song I have been enjoying for many years, but never knew anything about.
After that, I randomly selected the Hinode Band, and learned a lot more. All I knew about Ymesei was the song about temaitelok, and of course the Belau national anthem – I’m not sure I even knew his last name. What a great blog! I’ll definitely keep reading. Having said that, I have to say that I disagree with part of your transcription of the third verse of the song “Ribang,” and thus with your translation and interpretation. I hope you will not be offended, but will take this comment as constructive criticism, and in the interest of making your blog as informative as possible.
Here is your transcription of the third verse:
Bai derenguk mei ochedengei
me a tal ulbes e ngak a ngdiak
eng di, eng di rektel ku renguk
el diak ulbes el mo er a chad
… and here is what I hear when I listen to it (several times to be sure):
Bai derengum e ochedengi
Mal ta kobes e ngak a diak
Meng di, meng di rektel ku renguk
Meng diak kubes el mo cherechar
In other words:
You are lucky (fortunate/happy) my dear
And perhaps you have forgotten, but I have not
But, but (oh well) it is just the sickness that fills my heart (I like the way you have interpreted “rektel ku renguk”)
And I won’t forget (or “that I won’t forget”) until the end of time (el mo cherechar)
I think this makes more sense, and I hope you will agree.
With best regards, and in gratitude for your efforts, I am
Joel Miles
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Thanks Joel for the interesting history and kind words. No, that was not me singing Heartbreak by the Numbers. You might have heard a recording by the Lucky 7 Band from Ngiwal (you can hear it here: http://hellaholler.com/ouchacha/mp3/heartaches.by.the.number.lucky.7.band.ngirngemelas.mp3 ).
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Yep, that’s the one! Thanks!
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I have just finished reading “What the Yapese Learned from Japanese Popular Songs … “ Thank you for this very interesting blog.
I searched for “Koga Masao” on youtube and, among other things, I found a set of 19 songs (he is not the singer on all of them, but on most). The URL is:
Beautiful! He has a wonderful voice, and he uses it so well. One doesn’t have to understand Japanese to be moved. A few of the tunes are very familiar from the “old days” on Ngerel Belau. The local radio stations don’t play much Enka these days….
I was not as successful with Nakayama Shinpei.
Thank you!!
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