Adze (Ebakl)

ClassificationsTools and Equipment-adzes

Artist Boucgerou

Datemid 20th Century

Made AtNgarchelong State, Palau

Collection SiteNgarchelong State, Palau

MediumWood, fiber and stone

Dimensions13 1/8 × 5 × 1 3/4 in. (33.3 × 12.7 × 4.4 cm)

Credit LineGift of Frieda O. Wray from the Estate of Dr. & Mrs. Douglas and Carolyn Osborne

Object number2019.17.1

DescriptionThis is a Palauan hand adze used for woodworking, ebakl in the Palauan vernacular. A dachelbai is a man who is skilled in creating things by hand, such as fashioning objects out of wood. Each day these craftsmen would venture into Palauan forests equipped with their ebakl and chop off pieces of hardwood to use. They would spend the rest of their time skillfully carving the hardwood into canoes, architectural elements for buildings, bowls, containers, figurines, or other useful tools for their community. According to the donor, carvers would come by the house and bring their crafted items for sale or barter. The dachelbai are highly respected members in Palauan society who contribute to the community’s growth. This ebakl was crafted by a Palauan woodcarver named Boucgerou in Ngarchelong, Palau.

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