Ancient Guam Era
Pre-Historic Pottery of Guam
The Mariana Islands has a history of pottery-making that is more than 3,500 years long. The first people to arrive in the Mariana Islands apparently
Ancient Guam Era
Birth
The birth of a child is the most important family event in CHamoru society. It marks the beginning of family celebrations and obligations that define
Birth and Childhood Practices
Baotismo: Baptism
In the past, picking a name for the child was a family affair. In the early matrilineal CHamoru society, the name of a newborn child
Ancient Guam Era
Slingstones: Weapons
The signature weapon of the ancient Chamorro/CHamoru warrior, slingstones of various sizes were sharpened at both ends and hurled from a sling with deadly force
Ancient Guam Era
Niyok: Coconut
The coconut, called niyok in Chamorro/CHamoru and cocos nucifera scientifically, is undoubtedly one of the most important native plant foods in the Mariana Islands. Chief
Ancient Guam Era
Latte’s Significance
The latte is a manmade construct carved from limestone or basalt that was used as a foundation for a shelter against the elements or as
Chamorro Culture
Karabao: Water Buffalo
Karabao or carabao are water buffalo introduced to Guam from the Philippines during the Spanish occupation (1668 – 1898) for farming. In and since colonial
Chamorro Culture
Peninsulares
Two terms were used to differentiate the origin of the Spaniards residing In the 19th century colonial Philippines. A Spaniard born in Spain was referred
Chamorro Culture
Natural
Spanish administrative term. This name is given to the primitive Indians with whom the Spaniards settled the peace agreements, although their descendants had mixed by
Chamorro Culture
Mestizo (Mestisu)
During Spanish colonial rule in the Marianas, the term mestizo (mestisu in CHamoru) referred to a person of mixed parentage. In its original context, as