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Uab, the Giant of Palau

In short: Explore how Uab became the islands of Palau and how the legend was retold at the 2021 climate summit.

Uab, the Giant of Palau · The giant whose fall forms islands FAIRY TALE ATLAS · № 167 Uab, the Giant of Palau Explore how Uab became the islands of Palau and how the legend was retold at the 2021 climate summit. Origin An island formation legend from Palau’s oral tradition. The 1972 magazine account and the 2021 COP26 retelling are separate records. Atlas record 1972 First appearance Exact date unknown SIGNATURE MOTIF The giant whose fall forms islands Reach¹ 1/10 Suggested age² 8+ Member rating No votes yet 2 records · 1 countries or regions blackhorsestories.com

¹ Based on the number of Atlas countries, capped at 10. ² Editorial suggestion for reading this page. Discover Black Horse’s question

Origin and tradition

An island formation legend from Palau’s oral tradition. The 1972 magazine account and the 2021 COP26 retelling are separate records.

As Uab grows, his appetite outstrips what the village can provide. The villagers light a fire, and the giant’s fall explains how the island chain came to be. Palau’s president took the story to a climate summit in 2021. The speech gave collective action over limited resources as much weight as the shape of the islands.

Dated records and sources

  1. 1972 · Lukes reef, Palau
    National Parks & Conservation Magazine · July 1972 · Published collection
  2. 2021 · Lukes reef, Palau
    Surangel Whipps Jr. · COP26 speech, Glasgow · UNFCCC · Public retelling

Country pages

Fairy Tale Glossary

Origin
Black Horse. Uab, the Giant of Palau. https://blackhorsestories.com/en/atlas-tale-uab-palau/