Chamorro Culture
CHamoru/Chamorro Courtship and Marriage in the Twentieth Century
Marianas Storytelling: Land & Lineage. Part 2 of 4, Cultivating Connections Through Kånta, Courtship, & Kasamiento. Event scheduled for 26 April 2025 at the Guam
Chamorro Culture
Matrimony and Social Change in the Marianas during Spanish Times
Ancient Chamorros/CHamorus customarily chose their own spouses, rather than their families dictating who they would choose for a partner. The bride and groom’s families, however,
Chamorro Culture
Dowry Presentation: Marriage Rituals
On the night before a wedding in ancient Guam, the two families met to present the chenchule’ (ceremonial gifts) to the mother of the groom.
Chamorro Culture
Magutos i Finihu: Marriage Rituals
When a young man and woman were attracted to each other during ancient times on Guam, the man would let his mother know when he
Chamorro Culture
Mamaisen Saina: Marriage Rituals
In ancient times in the Mariana Islands, three or four days before a wedding the relatives on both sides worked together to beat and clean
Chamorro Culture
Fumatinas Titiyas yan Fuma’gasi Magagu: Places of Romance
Prior the Spanish colonization of Guam, Chamorro culture was fairly liberal about issues of romance, marriage and sex, even when compared with the norms of
Umayute’: Divorce
Divorce. The earliest information known about the Ancient Chamorro/CHamoru style of divorce comes from the notes of Fray Juan Pobre de Zamora.
Ancient Guam Era
Kottot: Marriage Rituals
Kottot (pronounced koe-toot) is a rectangular basket made from the leaves of the åkgak (awhk-gak) tree, which is the Screw pine (pandanus tectorious). The kottot
Chamorro Culture
Hineksa’ Nina’i: Gift of Rice
Rice was an important ceremonial food during ancient times in the Mariana Islands. At a wedding party, which usually took place in the morning at
Chamorro Culture
Marriage Traditions
In ancient CHamoru society, the clan leaders arranged marriages. Women did not marry men in their clan since marriage was a chance to improve clan