Oratelruul is located in Ollei, a village near the northern tip of Babeldaob in the Republic of Palau. It holds great cultural and historic value to the people in Ollei, as it is where Kukau el Bad, Bedengel a Mechas, Okeuil a Tellames, and the remnants of an orrangel are located. Oratelruuls connection to the origins of mesei and ruul practices make it a sacred and highly respected site. The area has a long history of agroforestry, making it an exceptional place to study the various benefits plants provide to both the ecosystem and to people. Oratelruul is a place rich in nature, history, and culture.

This is an interactive map of Oratelruul. Click on the markers to see what landmark is located there. The red markers represent a cultural and/or historical site. The blue markers represent a natural feature. The white lines are trails. Scroll down or click on the tabs above to learn more about them!

She who is referred to as a "source of light" was a female deity who emerged from the reefs of Ngarchelong when Uab fell. She spread light throughout Belau as she traveled south to Irrai (Airai), turning into a chicken at night and taking the form of a human during the day. Because of this, she was renamed Dilidechuu (meaning “she is female''). 

When she reached Irrai, she joined a group traveling to Ngeaur (Angaur). During her visit, Dilidechuu married Olungiis, created the first mesei, and was renamed to Iluochel. 

Iluochel eventually began traveling north and continued cultivating mesei (taro patch). As she visited each of the states, she determined if the kukau (taro) would be difficult or easy to grow. If she liked the man she married, the kukau would be easy to grow so she could spend more time at home with him. If she did not like her husband, the kukau would be difficult to grow so she could spend a longer time tending to the mesei. 

She finally arrived in Ollei where she cultivated her last mesei. Here, Iluochel was married to a man she did not like, which is why the mesei in Ngarchelong need to be well tended, using lots of techniques and fertilizers. After her mesei was complete, she buried her ngarek (taro scraper) which gave the mesei its name of Ngerekei (originally Idelbechong). 

While in Ollei, Illuochels husband visited her and they had the first mur Palau had ever seen. It was the biggest celebration and there was tons of seafood and kukau from all over Belau. After it was over, there were leftover kukau that turned to stone. These monoliths are collectively referred to as Kukau el Bad. 

When mesei in Ollei are infected with disease or pests, women bring kukau they harvested from their garden to Kukau el Bad. The kukau is roasted with coconuts as an offering as the women pray for the health of their mesei. 

Bedengel a Mechas means “Goddess Body.” It is where Ileuochel, the goddess of the mesei, is buried. 

When she died, her body was wrapped in a mat that was then tied with rope. The lines seen on the monolith are the ropes that tied the mat together. When visiting this sacred location, it is very important to be very respectful and on one's best behavior (no loud noises, swearing, or bad talking).

It can be difficult to see Bedengel a Mechas from the trail, as there are trees, plants, and vines covering it.

Tellames is the son of Ileuochel and was born when the goddess was creating her mesei in Peleliu. Okeuil a Tellams is a stone remnant of his okeuil (prepackaged kukau) that he would take when he would go fishing. Clam shells can be found on the ground near the monoliths that were once used as tools for his okeuil. Tellames created the ruul fishing method at Oratelruul, which earned the location its name meaning  "where the ruul is made". 

The ruul fishing method (simplified) is as follows: Demailei fronds were tied together using kemokem vines to make several hundred yards long ruul (refer to the 'plant life' section to learn more about demailei and kemokem plants). This is a process that would take almost a full day for a dozen men to complete. Once it was finished, the ruul was taken to the ocean, put on a raft, and stretched out to make a circle that was supported by several fishermen. Once the ruul was in a good formation, they would slowly walk toward the middle of the circle with the ruul, making the circle smaller and smaller so the fish didn't have an escape route. A few fishermen would scare the fish into one spot within the circle so they would be easier to catch. From there, everyone would start spearing the fish. 

The ruul fishing method is a very sustainable practice due to strong yet flexible nature of demailei fronds, which gives the ruul the sturdiness it needs to be productive without snagging on any corals like a net would. Fish can physically escape through the ruul structure, but they perceive it as a barrier, making it difficult for them to find an escape route. There are some species of fish that reside in seagrass bed habitats who are able to escape from ruul. Since they are adapted to living in seagrass, they are able to navigate their way through the demailei fronds. 

The orrangel at Oratelruul is a traditional copra smoker that was built and used by Remoket and his family during the 1900's. It was used to make copra (dried coconut meat) that was then sent to another location to make coconut oil, which was a very prominent industry in Palau during this time.

In addition to producing copra, the orranegel was used to smoke fish and to dry other foods to feed his family. Remoket and his family also practiced agroforestry throughout Oratelruul, planting many lius (coconut trees), buuch (betel nut trees) and various medicinal plants that he and his family would use. They also cultivated the mesei to produce kukau and fished using ruul. 

Plant life plays a crucial role in maintaining global health. They absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, protect soils, and provide habitat for animals. Without plants, life on Earth would be impossible. In addition to their larger scale services, plants have a considerable influence on local communities. 

Palau has a wide range of natural environments that allows plants to be an abundant source of food, building materials, tools, and medicines. These habitats include: volcanic lowland forest (upland forest), freshwater swamp forest, mangrove forest, marshes, savanna grasslands, reefs, limestone forests, atolls, and strand vegetation. Whether it is a conscious or subconscious decision, these environments provide services that are used in the daily lives of most Palauans. In addition to finding resources within these natural habitats, many people grow trees, shrubs, and vines around their homes so they have easier access to their ecological services. This practice is called agroforestry. 

Some plants have naturally grown around Oratelruul (native species) and some have been planted there by people (introduced species). When someone intentionally changes how and where plants grow to benefit the environment, economy, or community, it is called agroforestry.

People have influenced the vegetation that grows in Oratelruul. The area has been carefully managed by those who oversee and care for the land. Remoket and his family have planted trees and shrubs throughout Oratelruul, not only for food but also to support the local economy. For instance, they planted coconut trees near the orrangel to eliminate the need to venture into the forest to harvest them.

Currently, Oratelruul is overseen by the staff working at the Ebiil Society. They actively practice agroforestry across the site, involving both monitoring and planting trees, which ensures their health and productiveness. There is a designated agroforestry area where fruit trees and other beneficial plants are densely grown. Some species include: buuch, lius, kukau, riamel, meduu, dort, and meradel.

In addition to planting for ecosystem and community benefit, staff are working to conserve a species of tree called 'udeuiid.' This species of tree is being attacked by a fungus which often ends up killing it. Staff are collecting healthy udeuiid saplings throughout northern Babeldaob and planting them at Oratelruul where they will grow safely from the disease. These acts of conservation are crucial when it comes to protecting our ecosystems.  

Students of all ages from local schools, summer camps, and visiting universities visit Oratelruul to learn about agroforestry. They are taught the hands on methods of planting trees and the different resources plants need to grow and thrive. Students also learn about traditions and practices of agroforestry, such as the importance of the moon cycle in relation to planting. The agroforestry areas of Oratelruul give balance to the ecosystem, provide food, offer medicine, and facilitate environmental education. 

Listed below are trees and plants that can be seen when visiting Oratelruul. All of them help maintain the balance of the local ecosystem and in some manner provide service(s) to local communities. This could be through their strong lumber that is used as a building material or the plants medicinal value. 

• Family: Poaceae (grass family) 
• Scientific name: Bambusa vulgaris Schrad 
• Habitat: volcanic lowland forest (upland forest)
• Form: grass
• Status: introduced (this species specifically) 
• Services: building material

• Family:  Arecaceae (palm family)
• Scientific name: Areca catechu L. 
• Habitat: volcanic lowland forest (upland forest), agriculture, agroforest, & urban areas 
• Form: tree
• Status: introduced
• Services: building material, chewing, food wrappers, mesei fertilizer, & medicine

• Family: Arecaceae (palm family)
• Scientific name: Heterospathe elata Scheff. var. palauensis (Becc.)
• Habitat: volcanic lowland forest (upland forest) & limestone forest
• Form: tree
• Status: native
• Services: building material & fruits used as a pellet for ulekbut (bambuu pipe) in a game called beakl.

• Family: Malvaceae (hibuscus family)
• Scientific name: Hibiscus tiliaceus L.
• Habitat: freshwater swamp forest, limestone forest, mangrove forest
• Form: shrub
• Status: native
• Services: bark used for rope, leaves used as mulch for mesei, & material in grass skirts

• Family: Arecaceae (palm family)
• Scientific name: Heterospathe elata Scheff. var. palauensis (Becc.) 
• Habitat: volcanic lowland forest (upland forest) & limestone forest
• Form: young tree
• Status: native
• Services: palm used as material for ruul

• Family: Fabaceae (pea family)
• Scientific name: Inocarpus fagifer (Parkinson) Fosberg 
• Habitat:  volcanic lowland forest (upland forest) & freshwater swamp forest
• Form: tree
• Status: introduced
• Services: fruits contains a nut that is eaten, medicinal value, & used to make paddles for canoes

• Family: Fabaceae (legume family)
• Scientific name: Derris trifoliata Lour.
• Habitat: volcanic lowland forest (upland forest), savanna grassland, & mangrove forests
• Form: vine 
• Status: native
• Services: vine used as material for ruul

• Family: Rubiaceae (coffee family)
• Scientific name: Ixora casei Hance
• Habitat: volcanic lowland forest (upland forest) & limestone forest
• Form: shrub
• Status: native
• Services: medicinal value (stomach aches, nausea) & branches and stems used to make nets and traps

• Family: Rubiacea (coffee family)
• Scientific name: Aidia racemosa (Cac.) Terveng
• Habitat: volcanic lowland forest (upland forest) & limestone forest
• Form: tree
• Status: native
• Services: leaves used to make a tea that helps hydrate

• Family: Poaceae (grass family) 
• Scientific name: Schizostachyum lima (Blanco) Merr.
• Habitat: urban areas
• Form: grass
• Status: native 
• Services: trunk used to make spears & leaves used for sanding

• Family: Arecaceae (palm family)
• Scientific name: Cocos nucifera L.
• Habitat: agriculture, agroforest, and limestone forest
• Form: tree
• Status: native
• Services: food, drink, building material, furniture, fiber, medicine, & oil

• Family: Moraceae (mulberry family)
• Scientific name: Artocarpus altilis (Park.) Fosberg x marinannensis Trecul
• Habitat: agriculture, agroforestry, limestone forest, atolls, & along coast
• Form: tree
• Status: introduced
• Services: fruit (breadfruit) is eaten

• Family: Rutaceae (citrus family)
• Scientific name: Citrus limon (L.) Burm.f.
• Habitat: agriculture, agroforest, & urban areas 
• Form: tree
• Status: introduced
• Services: fruit used to flavor food

• Family: Thymelaeaceae (mezereum family) 
• Scientific name: Phaleria nisidai Kaneh. 
• Habitat: volcanic lowland forest (upland forest), freshwater swamp forest, limestone forest, atolls, & along coast
• Form: tree
• Status: native
• Services: herbal medicine (known as the "mother of medicine")

• Family: Boraginaceae ( borage family)
• Scientific name: Heliotropium foertherianum Diane & Hilger
• Habitat: volcanic lowland forest (upland forest) & limestone forest
• Form: tree
• Status: native
• Services: butterfly habitat (we call this specific tree butterfly rirs). Unfortunately this individual tree is dying, but its decaying bark gives habitat to ferns.
• check out "Ngarkeklau Trees story"

• Family: Marantaceae (arrowroot family)
• Scientific name: Donax canniformis (G.Forst.) K.Schum 
• Habitat: volcanic lowland forest (upland forest)
• Form: herb
• Status: native
• Services: vines used to make chicken traps & part of the plant can be used to make a whistle that sounds like a bekai which attracts rain

• Family: Anacardiaceae (cashew family)
• Scientific name: Spondias pinnata (L.f.) Kurz 
• Habitat: volcanic lowland forest (upland forest) & urban areas
• Form: tree
• Status: introduced
• Services: fruits used to make drinks, leaves can be eaten, & leaves have medicinal value (pink eye)

• Family: arecaceae (palm family)
• Scientific name: Nypa fruticans Wurmb 
• Habitat: mangrove forest
• Form: adult tree
• Status: native
• Services: used as roofing for houses

• Family: Fabaceae (legume family)
• Scientific name: Ficus carica L 
• Habitat: volcanic lowland forest (upland forest) & limestone forest
• Form: tree
• Status: Endemic
• Services: Building material, nitrogen fixer, habitat, & canoes

• Family: Rhizophoraceae (mangrove family)
• Scientific name: multiple species
• Habitat: mangrove forest
• Form: tree
• Status: native
• Services: habitat for animals, building material, filter, food, medicinal value, & carbon sequestration

Daob means "ocean" or "sea." From the beach of Oratelruul, we can observe the movement of the ocean through drastic tide shifts. When the tide is low, water flows out into the deep ocean revealing the long sand flats. During this time, people are able to harvest clams, oysters, and other animals that were unattainable during high tide. When the tide is high, the water flows back to the land creating moderately deep water. This is when the species that live in the sea grass and sand tend to be more active. It is also when vulnerable sea life, such as juvenile reef sharks, migrate with the high tide and seek shelter closer to the land. 

Diong means "spring". Water comes up from the ground and creates a pool of standing water. When enough water is coming out of the diong, it can be used as a bathing spot (or pool). When walking on the main path, there is a small rock 'trail' perpendicular to the main path. This is used as a water catchment system to help the water trickle into the pool. The diong can be seen on the south side of the trail and the pool can be seen on the north side. 

A merab is a natural channel where a freshwater stream meets the ocean. The flow of water in a merab is primarily influenced by the tide, though storms also play a role. At low tide, the merab's sandy, muddy bottom is exposed, and people can find clams to harvest here. When the tide comes in, the merab fills with seawater. During strong storms, however, the merab can be filled with freshwater flowing from the land to the sea, carrying debris—both natural and man-made—from inland areas to the coast. It’s important to avoid going in the merab during and after storms due to the presence of debris and other waste.

Okeburs refer to mangrove forests or mangrove swamps. They often grow along the coasts, bays, and estuaries of Babeldaob, providing shoreline protection during storms. As debris flows toward the coast from inland areas, okeburs act as a natural filter, shielding seagrass beds and coral reefs from harmful sediments. Additionally, okeburs absorb blue carbon stored in sediments, helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change. This ecosystem is a haven for juvenile marine species, offering them protection from larger predators and abundant access to food. People also harvest mangrove crabs and clams that live in these mangrove swamps. 

Taoch means "man made channel." They are made by chopping down mangroves, their roots, branches, and/or trunks in order to make a clear path. Taochs are made to facilitate transportation throughout the mangroves. For example, some villages had entrances via taochs, as getting there via the land was very difficult or even unsafe. Additionally, taochs are a beautiful way to see the mangrove ecosystems. When traveling in a taoch, wildlife such as birds, crabs, and fish can be heard and seen throughout.