Palau: Ngasech

The main reason for the trip to Palau was for my friend Dave to visit his friend Emadh who had given birth to her first child some months ago. As a Palaun, Emadh was celebrating this birth during a week or so of cleansing (Palauns used to deliver babies via C-section, and the ensuing cleansing was performed to ensure the survival of the mother).

Dave got a rare chance to take some amazing and quite memorable pictures (you can read all about it on his site - just follow the link). As a friend of a friend, I mingled and took part in some of the celebration. I managed to take a few photographs, but the feeling of the celebration can't be recreated at all.

An intricate fruit display, all of which is taken by participants after the party's over.

Friends of the mother, contributing dollars as part of the ceremony.

Palaun singer. This woman had a seriously strong voice.

VIP bento, which I was very surprised to receive. The nuts in the middle are served only on special occasions and are delicious.

The baby, Coco Bella, father (right), and various family.