Chamorro Culture
Mythological Depictions of Men
In ancient Chamorro/CHamoru society men were depicted as creators and as having superhuman strength. People used these concepts to attempt to make sense of the
Chamorro Culture
Folktale: Puntan Påtgon
The legend of Puntan Påtgon (Child’s Point) is a folktale about a powerful man who becomes envious of his child’s superior strength:
Chamorro Culture
CHamoru/Chamorro Proverbs
Proverbs are popular sayings, phrases of wisdom, or simply a piece of advice. Proverbs express a people’s basic beliefs and values. CHamoru proverbs are often
Chamorro Culture
Dowry Presentation: Marriage Rituals
On the night before a wedding in ancient Guam, the two families met to present the chenchule’ (ceremonial gifts) to the mother of the groom.
Chamorro Culture
Magutos i Finihu: Marriage Rituals
When a young man and woman were attracted to each other during ancient times on Guam, the man would let his mother know when he
Chamorro Culture
Mamaisen Saina: Marriage Rituals
In ancient times in the Mariana Islands, three or four days before a wedding the relatives on both sides worked together to beat and clean
Chamorro Culture
Kulepbla: Snake
The snake first entered Guam, the CHamoru language and CHamoru consciousness hundreds of years before it physically arrived.
Chamorro Culture
Hilitai: Monitor Lizard
The hilitai or monitor lizard (Varanus tsukamotoi) was introduced to the island before European contact in the 1500’s. It is black or dark green with
Chamorro Culture
Babuen Kuresma: Lenten Boar
Modern-day Guam is a predominantly Catholic society. Some beliefs have passed through generations preserving the practices of the Lenten Season, one of which is of
Ancient Guam Era
Utak: Itak
The utak or itak (Phaethon lepturu) is a bird Chamorros/CHamorus believe plays a role as providing an omen of life and death. The bird is