Palau

Palau, an archipelago of approximately 300 volcanic and coral islands in the northern Pacific Ocean, has a religious character that has been shaped by both colonization and missionary forces, often in collusion. Heavily Christian today, Palau boasts a large number of Roman Catholic (49%) and Protestant Christian (21%) adherents as well as a significant proportion of Seventh-Day Adventists (7%). While small Jewish and Muslim communities are also present, the syncretic religion Mode kngei is practiced by approximately 9% of the population (with the recognition that many reported Christians may engage in syncretic practices). Modekngei was founded in 1915 and recognizes Jesus Christ as savior while concurrently seeking to appease an ancient Palauan goddess. Centered in the city of Ibobang, in the state of Ngatbang, Modenkgei ...