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Marshall Islands Traditional Polities

Ralik Islands: Ailinglaplap - Bikini - Ebon - Guajlen (Kwajalein) - Ratak Islands: Aur, Maloelap, Erikub, Wotje, Likiep, Ailuk, Utrik, Taongi - Majuro, Arno, Mili - Mejit (Mejjej) -

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 (Marshall Islands)]
19 Nov 1878 - 15 Oct 1885 Ralik Islands

18 Nov 1878                Treaty of Friendship signed between Kabua of Ebon and the lesser 
                             chiefs of the Ralik islands granting Germany exclusive use
                             of Jaluit (Jalwoj) harbor.

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 - 18 Sep 2019  Imata Kabua                        (b. 1943 - d. 2019)

Bikini

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

Chiefs (title Iroijlaplap)
....                       Larkelon
 ....                       Lorak
....                       Wirak
....                       Lemijrelon
....                       Lemijreiruk
....                       Iruuj
....                       Lauk
....                       Laninbwil
....                       Kejebuki
....                       Tannij
....                       Jebuki
....                       Lebartawe
....                       Laninmaljit
....                       Lokwair
1946?                      Juda
19.. - 1985                Jibas                              (d. 1985)
19.. - 1992                Kilon Bauno                        (d. 1992)
1997? -                    Dretin Jokdru                      (b. 1922?)

Ratak Island Chain
 

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

Chiefs (title Iroijlaplap)
.... - ....                Lamari
1987? - 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/Leroijlaplap)
.... - 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
.... - ....                Lathethe
 .... - ....                Lejigo
 .... - 1919                Jebrik Lukotworok                  (d. 1919)
1919 - 1939                Vacant 
 1939 - ....                Jitiam
2001? - 19 Nov 2010        Atama Zedkaia (f)                  (b. 1931 - d. 2010)
 19 Nov 2010 -  7 Oct 2015  Jurelang Zedkaia                   (b. 1950 - d. 2015)


Mejit (Mejjej)

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




© Ben Cahoon