Interpreting history, culture, identity and society from an indigenous perspective
There is little doubt that CHamorus today live very different lives than Chamorros/CHamorus did 400 years ago, and have different ideas about what is and isn’t CHamoru culture. We would be hard pressed however, to find any culture which didn’t change drastically in some ways, over such a long period of time.
Transmission of Christianity into CHamoru/Chamorro Culture Read Post »
The vision of the CHamoru Roots Genealogy Project, Hale’ CHamoru, is to be the premiere portal of CHamoru genealogy, where CHamoru, both in the Marianas and abroad, can have access to a centralized repository of genealogy information. The goal of the project is to contain as much accurate and relevant genealogy information on the CHamoru people of the Mariana Islands.
CHamoru/Chamorro Roots Genealogy Project Read Post »
Traditionally, CHamorus didn’t have surnames. Each person was known by a first name and was probably referred to also according to his clan name.
CHamoru/Chamorro Surnames Read Post »
The “Better Known As” system. CHamorus have developed a way of identifying people other than their given names. Whether this “better known as” system came about because it was difficult to keep track of people due to many people having the same saint’s names, or from old clan names, can only be speculated upon.
CHamoru/Chamorro Nicknames Read Post »
The Inifresi is usually recited during festivities/celebrations after the Guam Hymn (Fanohge Chamorro) and the Pledge of Allegiance. Inifresi was written by Bernadita Camacho Dungca, PhD.
Guam Pledge: Inifresi Read Post »
The idea of the world being divided into different realms, as was common in the Chamorro/CHamoru view after Christianity was introduced, is one promoted or at least influenced by Spanish missionaries in the 17th century to aid in their conversion of the CHamoru people to Catholicism.
CHamoru/Chamorro World View Read Post »
The stories of Guam’s pattera, or nurse-midwives, and their history give insight into their personal legacy and professional contribution to the healthcare of women, children, and families in Guam.
Guam Pattera Interviews Read Post »
Puntan and Fu’una are the Chamorro/CHamoru creation gods. Puntan, a male, and Fu’una, a female, are brother and sister. The account of their creation of the world constitutes one of the most important oral histories of the CHamoru people.
Folktale: Puntan and Fu’una: Gods of Creation Read Post »
A common political fallacy is that democracy was a babe born in Guam during the mid-20th century under American rule. The fact is that democracy had its beginning in Guam almost two centuries ago when benevolent Spanish authorities allowed the local electorates to choose their gobernadorcillos (mayors).
History of Democracy in Guam Read Post »
Since the claim by Spain over the Mariana Islands in 1565 and the settlement of Jesuit missionaries and conquest of the CHamoru people in the 17th century, the control and ultimate political fate of Guam has been the subject of war and political controversy.
Guam’s Political Status Read Post »
