Interpreting history, culture, identity and society from an indigenous perspective
Women in Chamorro history. The importance of women in Chamorro history is well documented, and many Guampedia entries reinforce this point. In the Chamorro cosmology, from the moment of creation, men and women worked together.
Gender and Guam History Textbooks Read Post »
“Gof Metgot I Mana’amte Yan I Amot Siha”—a solemn and profound message recently conveyed at a family gathering by Mrs. Josefa Cruz Certeza, known affectionately to her family, friends, and the community of Guam as Tan Pai, by amazing grace, still alive and well at 96 years old.
Josefa Cruz Certeza Read Post »
As a child, Juan Cepeda was exposed to traditional healing methods as he assisted his mother Francisca Quitano Cepeda, a suruhåna with the picking of medicinal herbs and other chores required in the preparation of medicines. An everyday occurrence, patients visited their home seeking help from Tan Francisca, providing Juan a means of learning to identify the different plants and their medicinal purposes. However, it would be many years later before Juan actually practiced the art of traditional healing.
As a child growing up in Saipan, it was a common sight for young Genaro Saralu, to see his mother, a local healer treating her patients. Genaro’s great-grandfather, grandfather, and mother were all healers. Genaro’s mother and grandfather taught him the proper methods and techniques of gathering the plants used to prepare medicine for various ailments, as well as various methods of massage. Genaro also learned to call upon the strength of his ancestors to heal his patients.
Master Suruhåna Tan Regina and Master Suruhånu Tun Jesus Terlaje have treated hundreds of individuals from throughout the island who have sought healing through a suruhånu.
Regina Mafnas and Jesus Salas Terlaje Read Post »
Master Suruhåna Angela Santos Palacios has treated many individuals and is a well-known and well-sought suruhåna.
Angela Santos Palacios Read Post »
Fanohge CHamoru Put I Tano-ta: Charting Our Collective Future, an exhibition about Guam’s historical quest for political self-determination, ran from 28 March to 31 May 2022, at the Guam Museum. The exhibition was a collaborative effort between Dr. Kevin Escudero, a visiting scholar from Brown University, the Guam Museum, the Commission on Decolonization, and Guampedia.
Fanohge CHamoru Exhibition Video Features Read Post »
CHamoru efforts toward self-determination and decolonization have brought about the revitalization of CHamoru history and culture. Yet, the need to protect our cultural resources and heritage has become even more urgent given the demographic, climate, economic, political status, and national security developments facing our island today.
Section 7: Envisioning and Enacting a Decolonized Present and Future Read Post »
Throughout the second half of the 20th century Guåhan’s leaders encountered multiple challenges to pursuing self-determination through the mechanisms available within the US domestic legal and political systems. In a plebiscite vote in 1982, 49 percent of voters chose Commonwealth as their preferred choice resulting in the drafting of a Commonwealth Act under the administration of Governor Ricardo J. Bordallo.
Section 3: Identifying Roles and Positionality Read Post »
Few issues in Guåhan’s history garner such diverse reactions as the efforts for CHamoru self-determination and the decolonization of our island. Opinions differ on the most viable political status option, who should participate in a political status plebiscite, and whether Guåhan should even continue to pursue a change in its relationship with the United States. Part of the challenge is visualizing what a change in political status would mean for our island’s people.
Section 1: Introduction Read Post »
