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Marshall Islands Traditional Polities

Note: The Marshall Islands form two island chains, known respectively as Ralik and Ratak. 
Each major island or island group formed a polity under a chief styled Iroijlaplap.

Ralik Island Chain

  Ebon
 
[Ralik Islands flag 1878-1885]
            1878 - 22 Oct 1885  

Chiefs (title Iroijlaplap) 
.... - 1870                Kaibuki 
1870                       Nelu -Regent 
1870 - 1875                Loiak Kaibuki 
1875                       Kabua 
.... - ....                Lakajimi
Ailinglaplap

Chiefs (title Iroijlaplap)
1880?                      Lamejirik
c.1964 - c.1975/76         Albert Loeak                       (d. 1975/76)
20 May 1976 -              Anjua Loeak  

Guajlen (Kwajalein) 

Chiefs (title Iroijlaplap)
1800 - ....                Letalju [1st ruler]
18.. - 1840                Lanini                             (b. c.1765 - d. 1840)
1840 - 1869                Kaibuki     
1869 - 1878                Loeak (Launa)                      (d. 1904)
29 Nov 1878 -  4 Jul 1910  Jeimata Kabua I "the Great"        (d. 1910)
 4 Jul 1910 - 1914         Leit Kabua                         (d. 1914)
1914 - 19..                Jeimata Kabua II
19.. - 1981                Lejelok Kabua                      (d. 1981)
1981 - 19..                Joba Kabua   
19.. - 20 Dec 1996         Amata Kabua                        (b. 1928 - d. 1996)
20 Dec 1996 -              Imata Kabua                        (b. 1943)

Bikini

[Bikini Atoll (Marshall Islands) flag from 1987]
                     Adopted 1987

Chiefs (title Iroijlaplap)
....                       Larkelon (Larkelan)
....                       Lorak
....                       Wirak
....                       Lemijrelon
....                       Lemijreiruk
....                       Iruuj
....                       Lauk
....                       Laninbwil
....                       Kejebuki
....                       Tannij
....                       Jebuki
....                       Lebartawe
....                       Laninmaljit
....                       Lokwair
1946?                      Juda Kessiburi 
c.1972                     Loranzi
c.1978                     Rilang Tarkein 

Ratak Island Chain
 

Aur, Maloelap, Erikub, Wotje, Likiep, Ailuk, Utrik, Taongi

Chiefs (title Iroijlaplap)
.... -  ....               Lamari
1994 - 10 Dec 1998         Murjel Hermios                     (d. 1998)
10 Dec 1998 -              Remios Hermios

Majuro, Arno, Mili

c.1881                     Divided into junior (east) and senior (west) lines.

Chiefs (title Iroijlaplap)
.... - c.1881              Lerok                              (d. c.1881)  
- junior line -
ca.1881 - ....             Rimi
.... - ....                Kaibuki Mourjel
.... - ....                Kaibuki Larewa
.... - ....                Kaibuki 
.... - ....                Reli 
.... - ....                Langlam
.... - ....                Aisea Devij
c.1954                     Dorothy Litarjikut (f)
 19.. - 20 Dec 1996         Amata Kabua                        (b. 1928 - d. 1996)
20 Dec 1996 -              Imata Kabua                        (b. 1943)
- senior line -
c.1881 - ....              Jebrik            
.... - ....                Jokane
.... - ....                Lukuner
.... - 1919                Jebrik Lukotworok                  (d. 1919)
1919 - 1939                Vacant 
1939 - ....                Jitiam
2001? - 19 Nov 2010        Atama Zedkaia (f)                  (b. 1931 - d. 2010)
19 Nov 2010 -              Jurelang Zedkaia                   (b. 1950)


Mejit (Mejjej)

Chiefs (title Iroijlap)
.... - ....                Libinnirok (f)(Leirojlaplap)
.... - ....                ....
.... -                     Philip Keju




©2001  Ben Cahoon