The Legend of Nan Madol
Nan Madol, the ceremonial center of eastern Micronesia on Pohnpei, was constructed according to legend by twin sorcerers Olisihpa and Olosohpa from the mythical Western Katau. The brothers arrived in a large canoe seeking a place to build an altar to worship Nahnisohn Sahpw, the god of agriculture. With the aid of a flying dragon, they levitated enormous basalt columns across the sea and built the artificial islands connected by canals. Olisihpa died of old age, and Olosohpa became the first Saudeleur ruler. The dynasty produced sixteen other Saudeleur rulers of the Dipwilap clan. They ruled k