Indigenous Lenses - Guampedia

CHamoru Quest for Self-Determination

Guam’s Political Status

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

Historic Eras of Guam

Envisioning the Past: Near Extinction

It is difficult to envision the reality of Chamorros who survived the colonization by Spain. A 10-year-old boy who witnessed the arrival of Padre Diego

Image depicting the US empire as of 1898. Philadelphia Press, Public Domain

Civic Society

American-Style Colonialism

Colonialism is a process of usurping an existing order or orders of meaning for a territory or a people, and replacing them with a new

Passing traditions by David Castro from Guahan Magazine collection.

Guampedia Resources

Hale’-ta: CHamoru/Chamorro Cultural Glossary

Editor’s note: This glossary was reprinted from ”Cultural Traditions,” of the Hale’-ta Series, with permission from the Department of CHamoru Affairs, Government of Guam.

Roof Thatching Party. P. Simpson/Balthazar Aguon collection.

Chamorro Culture

Chenchule’: Social Reciprocity

Chenchule’ refers to the intricate system of social reciprocity at the heart of ancient and contemporary CHamoru society. Chenchule’ is a support system of exchange

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

Ancient Guam Era

Taotaomo’na

Taotaomo’na, the people of before, refers to ancestral spirits that inhabited the earth along with the living. Ancient Chamorros/CHamorus believed the world around them was

Ancient Guam Era

Inafa’maolek: Striving for Harmony

Interpretive essay: Striving for harmony is the foundation to CHamoru culture. The phrase inafa’ maolek (pronounced e-na-fah mao-lek) describes the CHamoru concept of restoring harmony