Iroijlaplap ( Marshallese: ; feminine: Leroijlaplap, ) are the traditional paramount chiefs in the Marshall Islands. Ordinary chiefs bear the title of Iroij (feminine: Leroij); -' is a

superlative Comparison is a feature in the morphology or syntax of some languages whereby adjectives and adverbs are inflected to indicate the relative degree of the property they define exhibited by the word or phrase they modify or describe. In languages t ...

suffix.

Legal basis

Article III of the Constitution of the Marshall Islands recognises the title, and establishes a Council of Iroij, composed of holders of the title of Iroijlaplap, or other analogous traditional titles, chosen from holders of the chieftainship among the several constituent islands. The council is empowered to "consider any matter of concern to the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and it may express its opinion thereon to the Cabinet". The council is also entitled to formally request the reconsideration of any bill in the Nitijela (the country's Legislature), that affects customary law, traditional practices, or land tenure.Constitution of the Marshall Islands
, s. III

Reigning Iroijlaplap

There are currently two Iroijlaplap, one of whom once served as President of the Marshall Islands: * Imata Kabua of Kwajalein (President 1997–2000) * Remios Hermios of the Ratak Chain (excluding Majuro, Arno and Mili atolls).

References

Marshallese culture Titles of national or ethnic leadership *Main {{poli-stub