Sakaziro Demk

Biography

Sakaziro Demk was an ordinary son, man, father, and husband who lives in Ngardmau Palau. He was one of the proud Palauan who strived to keep Palau clean and safe place for all Palauan generations. Although he lost his parents during world war II, he was a brave individual who grew up so fast without parents. Sakaziro became one of the important person in his community. He remains today as one of the active figures in all Ngardmau state affairs.

Japanese middle school and Ngardmau cultural oral education

Magistrate 1972-1975, Farm Businessman and Ngardmau Men Association Chairman 1976-1977, movie theatre owner 1978-1979, rducator 1979-1980, and High Chief Beouch 1984–present.

Nationality and influence

Born in Ngardmau, Palau, on April 21, 1921, to Demk Rengiil and Omlei Demk. Japanese influence- language,food, and culture. Speaks, reads, writes Japanese and Palauan Language.

Political ambition

Keeping Ngardmau State economically, environmentally, and culturally maintained for all Ngardmau generations. Enforces law to protect and preserve culture, custom, and wild life. Works with Ngardmau conservation community to protect the natural being of Ngardmau. Advocate for cultural, political, and social affairs concerning Ngardmau existence.

Chieftain

Ngardmau states is divided into three districts according to chieftain hierarchical order. Urdmang, Ngerutoi, and Ngetbong are the hamlets divided with chiefs and other important titles. Beouch from Ngedngoll clan is the highest chief and Ngirkebai as a second highest chief of Ngerutoi, where other clans exist such as Ked and Teblak with subordinate chiefs title like “Arbdul ra Ked” and “Arbedul ra Teblak”. Other hamlets such as Ngetbong have a clan with chief title “Arrengas” and “Tmoderang”. Palau is a matrilineal society where women held power and heir to the throne. Palauan women also held power to select whom to be chief. The oldest daughters of women in the clan inherit power to organize and make decisions on clans and members well being. All Ngardmau’s chiefs were appointed by the eldest women of their clans. Palauans

Royalty

Chief Beouch, Sakaziro Demk, was born into a royal family of the highest clan called Ngedngoll. Sakaziro’s mother, Omlei Demk, was born and raised by the queen of Ngedngoll. Since Omlei was the eldest daughter of the queen, her oldest son naturally becomes Chief holding the title “Beouch” of Ngedngoll royal family. Omlei Demk gave birth to six daughters (Medaliual D. Rivera, Ereong D. Remeliik, Rengemau D. Temol, Macdelina D. Towai, Paula D. Kumangai, and youngest daughter Maria Demk died of natural cause. Princess Omlei Demk also gave birth to only two sons Sakaziro Demk, the eldest son and Kuiroi Arurang the youngest. Sakaziro’s father Demk Rengiil was from Ulimang, Ngerard, neighbor State of Ngardmau. Demk and Princess Omlei died during the World War II. Princess Omlei children lived in Ngardmau until they were married and moved away following their husbands and wives. However Sakaziro was very determined to live in Ngardmau and became one of the important model citizens. He was active in all public services and was very industrious to keep Ngardmau as it is today.

Sakaziro Demk became High Chief Beouch in the 1980s after the dead of High Chief Beouch Udui. But before becoming a Chief, Sakaziro held numerous public services title such as Magistrate for over 6 years. He also worked as an Educator for several years in Ngardmau Elementary School, teaching Palauan Social Studies, Language and History. He was also appointed head of the Ngardmau men association called “Ngara Okelout” which strives to preserve and protect customs, social cultural, and over all well being of Ngardmau citizens. In the mean time, Sakaziro was running a vegetable farm as well as fishing to support his family. There were years that Sakaziro was running a Japanese movie theatre where the villagers came and watched old Japanese movies while eating hot soup noodles and sharing laughter. Queen Maylu (Dilmairong) Makaya held a job at PCAA known as a Head Start program for few years. Although there were numerous years of struggle, Sakaziro worked hard to support a family of 10 children.

Contribution to the public

Chief Sakaziro Demk was a kind and a courteous person. He always believed in equality of people. He had lived just like a regular citizen. He worked hard to keep Ngardmau safe place to live with strong traditional values and customs. Chief Sakaziro organized voluntarily programs for men and women to contribute their time freely to help the public clean and organized. Such process called "Hinrokoshi" which implies to all women and men to get together and help the public by cleaning rivers, roads, legendary locations, and other important sites. These women and men worked for several hours for many days without pay. But the villagers were happy and getting along with work. Chief Sakaziro tried his best to provide food and other needs for the villagers for their hard work. But the villagers were always never demand anything to compensate them and yet they had laughter and motivation to help the public under Chief Sakaziro's organization. Sakaziro was a generous person. He would share fish with neighbors or with those who are need. Volunteer works were always part of Sakaziro's way of life. He also encourages villagers to love and care for those who are in need. Ngardmau villagers will never go hungry because sharing is encouraged by many. Chief Sakaziro had served the public of Ngardmau most of the time voluntarily. Chief Sakaziro was very active in many affairs concerning Ngardmau State. Although he has 10 children, he was always available to help the public or individual. He was a great father and a grandfather who strives for his country and individual citizens. He speake both Japanese and Palauan language. He graduated from Japanese Middle School. He read and wrote in Kanzhi, Hiragana, and Katagana.

Chief Sakaziro Demk traveled to Asia and got involved many business ventures for Ngardmau well being. Although he was concerned about the economical and social well being of all Ngardmau citizens, he was a dedicated naturalist advocate and activist for Ngardmau conservation. He cared about the ecology and worked hard that many generations to come will ejoy Ngardmau beauty as it is today. (source by Princess Hilaria Sakaziro). Chief Sakaziro Demk was a good father. He tried to teach his children and making sure his children will be remembered by many to do the same thing that he have done for the public—helping the needy, protecting the environment, respecting traditional customs and values, and staying kind to anyone as if the person is part of the family. (cited by Princess Feblonia Sakaziro)

Favorites

His favorite foods were Japanese food named "Misoshiru", "Oshiruko", "Kuzira", "Inari Shushi", "Sashimi". His favorite movies were old Japanese movies called "Samurai". His favorite singer was a famous actress and singer "Misora Hibari" of Japan. * Hibari Misora on IMDb

Marriage

Sakaziro married Maylu Makaya, whose father John Makaya from Ponphei, Pohnpei island Federated State of Micronesia, and mother Sellau from Ngarard State of Palau Ngaraard. Maylu’s mother Sellau also had a son Ngirchokebai Udui (children-Sakai, Bertha, Katsumi, Katsue, and Udui Ngirchokebai) who held associate chief title Chief Arurang Ngirchokebai of Ngardmau. Sellau also has cousins Dirrubong Belau Jonathan, Imadoyiu Rebelkuul, Joko Rebelkuul, Ikrebai, and Belau families. Sakaziro Demk and Maylu Makaya were married in the early 60’s and had four daughters and four sons. Daughters include Princess Veronica Sakaziro, Princess Feblonia Sakaziro (Melngois), Princess Hilaria Sakaziro (Iwong), Princess Maria Sakaziro (Kukong), and Sons include ( Prince Johnson Sakaziro (Toribiong), Prince Shinecio Sakaziro (Orrukem), Prince Justino Sakaziro (Rengiil), and Prince Lerince Sakaziro (Tumchub). Later years, the oldest of the princess, Princess Veronica Sakaziro gave birth to Princess Christina Sakaziro or Princess Christy Sakaziro who now uses Sakaziro last name because she was adapted by her grand parents Sakaziro and Maylu. Princess Christina Sakaziro is an addition to Maylu’s daughters of five. Sakaziro and Maylu also adapted Prince Gabriel Sakaziro, whose biological parents are Tkel and Rikel. Tkel was a chief Tkel Arbedul of the Ked clan of Ngardmau and also Sakaziro’s uncle. Sakaziro and Maylu struggled to raise the children of ten in those days in the 1970s and 80s. Queen Maylu Makaya or Queen Mairong Makaya’s uncle Johnny Makaya once had visited Maylu’s family. Johnny Makaya felt sorry for Maylu and asked if Maylu could move Ponphei or if Johnny could help raised some of Maylu’s children. However, Sakaziro was determined to keep all his children and raised them. Johnny Makaya left with assurance that her niece Maylu would be okay. Queen Maylu Makaya’s father, Chief Makaya, is also a high rank Chief in Madolenihm in Ponphei. Queen Maylu Makaya died in early 1990s from heart problem. She was 62 years old. Her children however have grown and married with many children. Chief Sakaziro and Queen Maylu now have over 30 children including grand and great-grandchildren.

This is a cited article by relatives and children of Sakaziro who have lived with him all these years:

Prince Billy William, Princess Hilaria Sakaziro (left), Princess Feblonia Sakaziro (right) Princess Christina (Christy) Sakaziro and her daughter Princess Kristen Liberty Posegate, High Chief Beouch Sakaziro (white hair)

Sakaziro Demk, born in April 21, 1921 and died in October 15, 2011 of Ngardmau state is a high chief beouch and one of the many chiefs of Palau. High chief Beouch is the position of highest political and social leadership in a village, and is held by a son of the oldest queen or princess of Ngedngoll, the highest clan of Ngardmau. In Palau, all 16 states have traditional chiefs and queens, presidents, and governors. High Chief Beouch title is inherited by Sakaziro Demk through Ngedengoll ourrot . Omlei Demk was a princess in the highest clan of Ngardmau called "Ngedngoll". Palau is still exercising traditional system which consists of matrilineal order where women hold power and heir among the clans. Women make decisions or selections on whom to be chief and so on. The eldest sons of the eldest princess are naturally selected to hold the title chief.

Chieftain Ngardmau High Chief Beouch, Sakaziro Demk was married to Maylu Makaya (Known to Ngardmau villagers as "Dilmairong or Mairong". Queen Maylu died of natural cause in early 90's. Queen Maylu (Mairong) Makaya survived by her four daughters and four sons and grand children. Queen Maylu oldest daughter Princess Veronica Sakaziro who died in 2007, has two sons Sylvester and Daniel Rebelkuul and daughters, Leia Masami and Christina (known as Christy). Christina Sakaziro, the oldest of siblings was adapted to grandmother Maylu and grandfather Sakaziro so she became an additional sister to Queen Maylu's and Chief Sakaziro's four daughters. Chief Sakaziro Beouch and Queen Maylu's other daughters include Princess Feblonia Demek (Melngois), Princess Hilaria Demk (Iwong)), Princess Maria Demk (Kukong), Princess Christy Sakaziro (Itong). Sons: Prince Joshnson Demk (Toribiong), Prince Shinecio Demk (Orrukem), Prince Justino Demk (Rengiil), Prince Lerince Demk (Kueil).

High Chief Sakaziro Beouch died in October 2011 .

Chief Beouch was hard working and very active in any activities or issues concerning the State of Ngardmau. Chief Beouch’s children and grandchildren all live in Palau except Princess Christy Sakaziro. Princess Christy Sakaziro lives in neighboring island of Saipan with her two daughters, Liberty Posegate and Francia Aderkeroi Posgate.