Mamang & the Gang

I launched Mamang & the Gang almost a year ago, and in true Mazel fashion, I am only now writing about it on this blog. It just feels like an appropriate time, you know, since I have a thousand other things to do. Well, here we go.

What is Maddluc?

• Maddluc, a portmanteau of Madd (Maddox) + Luc (Luca)

• Translated from English to Palauan, Madd-Luc is derived from the word 'Mad' which is typically used to describe death, and Luc is rooted in the Palauan word 'luk' which translates into 'be quiet' or 'be silent'. Dead Silence.

• I realize that sounds a bit dark.. but stick with me here..

What does Mamang & the Gang represent, and what is the Maddluc Tour?

In our Palauan culture, love is expressed through siukang (custom). In other words, love is conveyed

through action. We know exactly what our role is for each other, and we show up when it matters. When

we love on each other, it is dead silence. Quiet to the ears, bold in action, and loud in impact.

Music is a unifying factor in our community. We may not speak of our love as freely in conversation, but

we write songs that express love's deepest meaning. The music we create trigger and inspire emotions

that carry us through the highs and lows of life, tethering us together as a community.

Mamang & the Gang represent our matriarchal society. They represent our mothers and the women

before them. They remind us of the quiet, yet moving strength of Palauan women that build, nurture,

uplift and fight for our community.

Inspired by Mamang & the Gang, we live to be strong, courageous individuals that grow up to demand what we deserve. To be humble yet not submissive. To be unapologetic about our identity. To fight and protect what was preserved and given to us by our ancestors.

As Mamang & the Gang embark on the Maddluc Tour, they express dead silence for two reasons. One, because they are dolls and therefore do not have the ability to speak; and two, because they represent humility, loving through action, quiet strength, and the ability to be impactful without noise. Together, they portray inclusion, incite meaningful conversation, and most importantly, they provide a way for us to connect with each other and create a lifetime of memories. Thank you for holding this space with us. May we love through action and live to tell the stories that make us who are and bring us together.

To those who have purchased Maddluc Tour Merch from us, I want to thank you BIG! It's always scary to put an idea out there, so it feels really good that you wanted to own a piece of it, ESPECIALLY when I never really explained what my intent was. I guess I'll write that in the next blog post so as not to hold you here any longer. Komeral mesulang!

With Love all the time,

-Mazel