Ancient Guam Era
Folktale: Puntan and Fu’una: Gods of Creation
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
Ancient Guam Era
CHamoru/Chamorro Numbers
Permission to use from Dipåttamenton i Kaohao Guinahan CHamoru. Leblon Numiru, Government of Guam. Department of Education, Hagåtña, Guam.
Ancient Guam Era
Pumeska: Hunters on Land and Sea
Ancient Chamorro/CHamorus were avid hunters both on land and sea. They developed many methods of eguihan (fishing), ranging from etupak (line fishing), lagua’ (net fishing),
Chamorro Culture
Techa: Traditional Prayer Leader
In the Mariana Islands, the techa is the traditional prayer leader who directs and recites the prayers and hymns for various religious activities within the
Chamorro Culture
Nobena: Novena (Catholic Devotional Prayers)
The nobena, or novena, is a series of devotional prayers said over the course of nine days that are associated with the various feasts of
Chamorro Culture
Bela: Wake or Vigil
Every human culture recognizes and accepts death as a natural part of life. Rituals, though, are often used by a society to sanctify death and
Ancient Guam Era
Burial Practices
Although death is an occasion for grief, the CHamorus consider it as a chance for the extended family throughout the island to gather and pray
Chamorro Culture
Marriage Traditions
In ancient CHamoru society, the clan leaders arranged marriages. Women did not marry men in their clan since marriage was a chance to improve clan
Ancient Guam Era
Prebirth
The pattera (nurse midwife) and suruhånu (traditional doctor) played important roles, especially when it came to pre-birth-to-birth events in the family. They assumed the roles
Birth and Childhood Practices
First Holy Communion and Confirmation
Church rites. Primera Kumuñon (First Holy Communion) and Komfetmasion (Confirmation) are church rites that have become CHamoru traditions among Catholics.