Ancient Guam Era
Manachang
In the social organization of Chamorro/CHamoru society, individuals from the lowest class were known as manachang. In her study of early CHamoru culture, anthropologist Laura
Chamorro Culture
Mannakhilo’ and Mannakpåpa’
Under Spanish colonial rule, the introduction of Spanish customs, social systems and land tenure disrupted traditional practices of land ownership and social class structure of
Ancient Guam Era
Matao and Acha’ot
Early accounts of traditional Chamorro/CHamoru society describe at least two distinct social castes—the chamorri, or upper caste, and the manachang, or lower caste. The chamorri
Ancient Guam Era
Social Classes in Traditional CHamoru/Chamorro Society
The social ranking of individuals, whether by age, gender or social status, has always been important in Chamorro society. In pre-Spanish times, social status dictated
Chamorro Culture
Folktale: Puntan Dos Amantes
The story of the two lovers who tied their hair together and leapt to their death on Guam was first recorded by French researcher Louis
Chamorro Culture
Criollo
In Spanish colonial times criollo referred to a full-blooded Spaniard born in the Spanish colonies in Asia and the Americas. It was a term mostly
Chamorro Culture
Indios
ndios were defined as the native indigenous peoples in all the Spanish American and Asian possessions. During the Spanish colonial period in the Mariana Islands
Chamorro Culture
Insulares
Insulares was the specific term given to criollos (full-blooded Spaniards born in the colonies) born in the Philippines or the Marianas. Insulares were part of
Chamorro Culture
Mulatos and Negros
During the Spanish colonial period (1668-1898), persons of mixed African and Spanish ancestry were known to the Spaniards as mulatos. They were mostly hired for
Manma’gas: Leaders
Manma’gas is the Chamorro/CHamoru word for leaders when referred to as a group. In ancient Guam, CHamoru leaders were usually the oldest members of clans