Chamorro Culture - Guampedia

A hilitai or monitor lizard in Tumon. David R. Gardner

Chamorro Culture

Hilitai: Monitor Lizard

The hilitai or monitor lizard (Varanus tsukamotoi) was introduced to the island before European contact in the 1500’s. It is black or dark green with

Chamorro Culture

Babuen Kuresma: Lenten Boar

Modern-day Guam is a predominantly Catholic society. Some beliefs have passed through generations preserving the practices of the Lenten Season, one of which is of

Utak (White-tailed Tropic Bird) Sa'ipan, 2018. Photo by Rlene Steffy.

Ancient Guam Era

Utak: Itak

The utak or itak (Phaethon lepturu) is a bird Chamorros/CHamorus believe plays a role as providing an omen of life and death. The bird is

A village scene depicts the difference in caste through body language and building structures. Also illustrated is the lack of body coverings as being unnecessary. Bachelor’s houses were houses for young CHamoru/Chamorro men in the Mariana Islands from ancient times until the late 1600s. A village scene of the Ancient CHamorus illustrated by JA Pellion from Freycinet’s Voyage Autour de Monde, Paris, 1824. Guam Public Library System

Chamorro Culture

CHåmpada: Social Competition for Status

Competition for rank and status. As in any culture, Chamorros/CHamorus compete against themselves in various ways, whether at the level of individuals, families, neighborhoods, villages

Ma uritao, an ancient CHamoru/Chamorro term used to describe a young unmarried women who sexually train young men. Scene of the Ancient CHamorus illustrated by JA Pellion from Freycinet’s Voyage Autour de Monde, Paris, 1824. Guam Public Library System

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

Chamorro Culture

Ma’goddai: Strong Urge

The Chamorro term ma’goddai can be described as a strong feeling one gets when they admire someone because of their appearance such as being poki

A child nginge's her elder while uttering 'ñora and receives a blessing, "dioste ayudi" in response. Rene Mahone/Micronesian Area Research Center (MARC)

Chamorro Culture

Mamåhlao: Shame

The phrase Chamorro/CHamoru parents say to their children that best illustrates the core CHamoru value of respetu (respect) is “Mungga na un ma’ mamåhlao.” (Don’t

Agriculture on Guam. Freycinet collection, 1824. Courtesy of the Guam Public Library System.

Chamorro Culture

Låncho: Ranch

The word “låncho” comes from the word Spanish word “rancheria” and refers to Chamorro farms, ranches, gardens, or family property in the hålomtåno’ (jungle), and

A sinahi is a crescent moon shaped pendant worn by the high class members of society as a sign of status. Photo courtesy of Dr. Judy Flores.

Chamorro Culture

Gadao yan Otro Pinenta Siha: Traditional Art

Discussing the pre-colonial arts of Chamorros is a difficult task. Documents by the Spanish who first made contact with Chamorros are limited.

Chamorro Culture

Discipline

Codes of conduct. From what is written in historical texts about Guam and the Mariana Islands, Chamorro ancestors disciplined children though not by corporal punishment.