Saudeleur dynasty
6°51′N 158°13′E / 6.850°N 158.217°E
Saudeleur dynasty | |
|---|---|
| c. 1100–1200–c. 1628 | |
Map of Pohnpei island | |
| Capital | Nan Madol |
| Common languages | Pohnpeian |
| Religion | Pohnpeian, Saudeleur |
| Government | Absolute monarchy |
| Saudeleur | |
• c. 1100–1200 | Olosohpa |
• ? | Mwohn Mwehi |
• ? | Inenen Mwehi |
• ? | Ketiparelong |
• ? | Raipwenlake |
• ? | Raipwenlang |
• ? | Sakon Mwehi |
• ? | Saraiden Sapw |
• c. 1628 | Saudemwohl |
| History | |
• Arrival of Olisihpa and Olosohpa | c. 1100–1200 |
• Conquest by Isokelekel | c. 1628 |
The Saudeleur dynasty (Pohnpeian: Mwehin Sau Deleur, "Period of the Lord of Deleur"; also spelled Chau-te-leur) was the first organized government uniting the people of Pohnpei island, ruling from c. 1100-1200 CE to c. 1628 CE. The era was preceded by the Mwehin Kawa (Period of Building) or Mwehin Aramas (Period of Peopling), and followed by Mwehin Nahnmwarki. The name Deleur was an ancient name for Pohnpei, today a state containing the capital of the Federated States of Micronesia.
Pohnpeian legend recounts that the Saudeleur rulers were of foreign origin, and that their appearance was quite different from native Pohnpeians. The Saudeleur centralized form of absolute rule is characterized in Pohnpeian legend as becoming increasingly oppressive over several generations. Arbitrary and onerous demands, as well as a reputation for offending Pohnpeian deities, sowed resentment among Pohnpeians. The Saudeleur dynasty ended with the invasion of Isokelekel, another semi-mythical foreigner, who replaced the Saudeleur rule with the more decentralized nahnmwarki system in existence today.