Airai Bai

{{Infobox NRHP

| name = Bai Ra Irrai

| nrhp_type =

| image = 300px

| caption =

| location = Airai, Babeldaob, Palau

| coordinates = {{coord|7|21|40|N|134|33|37|E|display=inline,title}}

| locmapin = Palau

| built = {{Start date|1890}}

| architect = Multiple

| added = September 20, 1976

| area = {{convert|2|acre}}

| refnum = 76002195{{NRISref|version=2010a}}

}}

The Airai Bai (Men's Meetinghouse of Airai) in Palauan is a traditional meetinghouse in the Airai municipality on Babeldaob, the largest island in the island nation of Palau. It is located in the center of the village on a stone platform that had previously held earlier bais, and is located at the junction of two traditional stone pathways. The building is {{convert|68|x|20|ft|m}}, rising to a height of {{convert|40|ft|m}} at its peak. Its facade and interior beams are decorated with depictions of Palauan legends. It was built around 1890, and underwent a major restoration in the 1970s. The building and site have long been the spiritual and civic centerpiece of the community.{{cite web|url={{NRHP url|id=76002195}}|title=NRHP nomination for Bai Ra Irrai|publisher=National Park Service|accessdate=2015-03-12}}

The building was listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places (as "Bai Ra Irrai") in 1976, a time when Palau was part of the United States Trust Territories of the Pacific.

References