All CHamoru/Chamorro Culture Entries

guam canoes
Agad’na: Canoe Builders
Ma’ga Lahi Agualin by Joe Mala’it Garrido. Photo by Judy Flores, 1998.
Agualin
Ålas Detail
Ålas: Turtle Shell Ornaments
Alu and Pang
Alu and Pang
Crosshatch teeth
Ancient CHamoru/Chamorro Body Modification
"Maga'lahi Burial" by Raph Unpingco.
Ancient CHamoru/Chamorro Burial Practices
Seated Burial Illustration
Ancient CHamoru/Chamorro Burial Rituals
Ancient CHamoru Calendar in Ritidian (Litekyan) cave. Image from Chad Filipiak, 2012.
Ancient CHamoru/Chamorro Calendar
Ancient Guam Fishing Scene
Ancient CHamoru/Chamorro Cultural Aspects of Fishing
Figure 8. Stone Fish Weir Wall in Apra Harbor. Photo from Dr. Boyd Dixon
Ancient CHamoru/Chamorro Fish Weirs (Gigao)
CHamoru/Chamorro youth were expected to model and actively learn the skills of being men and women from their elders. Ancient CHamorus fishing illustrated by JA Pellion from Freycinet’s Voyage Autour de Monde, Paris, 1824.
Ancient CHamoru/Chamorro Fishing Practices
CHamoru/Chamorro youth were expected to model and actively learn the skills of being men and women from their elders. Ancient CHamorus fishing illustrated by JA Pellion from Freycinet’s Voyage Autour de Monde, Paris, 1824.
Ancient CHamoru/Chamorro Fishing Practices
CHamoru/Chamorro youth were expected to model and actively learn the skills of being men and women from their elders. Ancient CHamorus fishing illustrated by JA Pellion from Freycinet’s Voyage Autour de Monde, Paris, 1824.
Ancient CHamoru/Chamorro Fishing Practices
Medicine Making Featured Image
Ancient CHamoru/Chamorro Medicine Making
guam canoes
Agad’na: Canoe Builders
Settlement Patterns 06-DLSablan
Ancient CHamoru/Chamorro Settlement Patterns
Tools
Ancient CHamoru/Chamorro Tool Making
Makåna & Kakåhna
Ancient CHamoru/Chamorro Use of Human Bones
Rice impression. Micronesian Archaeological Research Services (MARS) collection.
Ancient CHamoru/Chamorro Use of Rice
Angela Santos Palacios
Taotaomona
Animism
Taotaomo'na by Ric Castro.
Aniti: Spirit
Babuen Kuresma by Ric Castro.
Babuen Kuresma: Lenten Boar
Holy Flame. The candle represents the child who has become a newly baptized Catholic. Mendiola family collection.
Baotismo: Baptism
Lorenzo M. Blas Family - Pre-WWII. Courtesy of Mark Borja Lord.
Bela: Wake or Vigil
Betel Nut: Cultural and Social Aspects
Mother and Child
Birth
Figure 1: District officer Georg Fritz took this photograph in Luta, December 24, circa 1905. This photo is courtesy of Pale’ Eric Forbes and The Micronesia Area Research Center, University of Guam. The caption for this photograph is Christmas Game.
Burego'
Burial
Burial Practices
chaife
Chaife’s Lost Soul
Directional Map, Guam
CHamoru/Chamorro Directional Terminology
Hurao students and latte. Photo by Kerri Ann Borja.
CHamoru/Chamorro DNA Studies and the Origin of the Chamorro
Chamorro Family, 1902. Charles Lemkuhl collection from the Micronesian Seminar (MicSem).
CHamoru/Chamorro Nicknames
2024 CHamoru numbers 1024 copy
CHamoru/Chamorro Numbers
Tony Palomo Proverbs
CHamoru/Chamorro Proverbs
Fishing Tools Featured Image. Ancient CHamorus/Chamorros fishing for the village illustrated by JA Pellion from Freycinet’s Voyage Autour de Monde, Paris, 1824.
CHamoru/Chamorro Seagrass Fishing Nets
Sidereal Featured Image
CHamoru/Chamorro Sidereal Direction Terminology
Joseph’s Church Inalåhan. Photo courtesy of the MARC.
CHamoru/Chamorro Sidereal Direction Terminology
Grandmother and Child, 1958. Guam Museum collection.
CHamoru/Chamorro Women's Legacy of Leadership
A village scene of the Ancient Chamorros illustrated by JA Pellion from Freycinet’s Voyage Autour de Monde, Paris, 1824. Illustration from the Guam Public Library System.
Chåmpada: Social Competition for Status
Brothers and sisters in ancient Chamorro society took equal part in daily chores.
Che’lu/Mañe’lu: Siblings
Roof Thatching Party. P. Simpson/Balthazar Aguon collection.
Chenchule’: Social Reciprocity
Legazpi
Criollo
Dinague Laolao
Dinague Laolao
Discipline
Manma'gas by Baltazar Bell.
Division of Labor by Age, Class, Gender
Illustration of wedding traditions and practices courtesy of the Department of CHamoru Affairs.
Dowry Presentation: Marriage Rituals
186-Clan-Plots-Revenge
Emmok: Revenge
186-Clan-Plots-Revenge
Emmok: Revenge
Chamorro Family, 1902. Charles Lemkuhl collection from the Micronesian Seminar (MicSem).
Familia
Fiesta Calendar
Fiestas
Guma' Uritao. Image courtesy of Bess Press, Inc.
Fino’ Gualåfon: Moonlight Talk
Fino Håya Project
Fino’ Håya Project
First Holy Communion and Confirmation
First Holy Communion and Confirmation
Fuuna Guampedia photo
Fo’na
Fouha Bay
Fouha Bay: Cradle of Creation
Ma uritao. Scene of the Ancient CHamorus illustrated by JA Pellion from Freycinet’s Voyage Autour de Monde, Paris, 1824. Guam Public Library System collection.
Fumatinas Titiyas yan Fuma’gasi Magagu: Places of Romance
Guinahan famagu'on and alas detail from Freycinet rare illustration. Courtesy of the Guam Public Library System.
Gadao yan Otro Pinenta Siha: Traditional Art
Folktale Gadao's Strength
Gadao’s Strength
Chores
Geftao: Unselfishness
Saralu Genaro
Genaro Saralu
Guinahan Famagu'on: Children's Wealth
Guinahan Famagu’on: Children’s Wealth
Guma' Uritao. Image courtesy of Bess Press, Inc.
Guma' Uritao
Procession, 1902. Charles Lemkuhl, Micronesian Seminar (MicSem) collection.
Hale'ta: CHamoru/Chamorro Cultural Traditions
Guampedia Circle Logo
Health Consequences of Modern Diets on Guam
Hilitai's Split Tongue by Frank Perez for the Department of Chamorro Affairs.
Hilitai: Monitor Lizard
Figure 2. Tridacna gigas with other immobile organisms attached to its valves at the Etpison Museum in Palau.
Hima: Conserving a Cultural Heritage
Hineksa' Sinagan (Wedding Rice Pyramid).
Hineksa' Nina'i: Gift of Rice
Hineti by Raph Unpingco.
Hineti
Hurao
Hurao
Puntan, god of creation, and his sister, the goddess Fu'una, used their powers to create the universe.
I Tinituhon
Helping prepare for a party is one form of chenchule'. Sheila Tyquiengco/Guampedia
Inafa'maolek: Striving for Harmony
Agana Chores detail of man. From Freycinet’s Voyage Autour de Monde (Paris, 1824).
Indios
Spanish Era Social Classes
Insulares
Josefa Cruz Certeza
Josefa Cruz Certeza
Cepeda Juan
Juan Cepeda
Kantan Chamorita Masters. Guam Council on the Arts and Humanities Agency (CAHA).
Kantan Chamorita
Karabao, Workers and Rice Paddy, 1935. Ekelund collection from the Guam Museum.
Karabao: Water Buffalo
Maga' Låhi Kepuha
Kepuha: Quipuha
Pre-Latte pottery illustration by Raph Unpingco. Foods of ancient CHamorus/Chamorus included dokdok (seeded breadfruit), pandanus, and fadang (federico palm nuts) which were indigenous to the islands. Lemmai (seedless breadfruit), bananas and sugarcane probably were introduced by the ancient CHamorus.
Ko’lao yan Fattoigue: Custom of Bringing a Gift of Food
The kottut, or traditional plaited pandanus container for a gift of rice. Image from Guam Public Library System.
Kottot: Marriage Rituals
Brown Treesnake. Photo by Isaac Chellman.
Kulepbla: Snake
Royce Surigao is baptized. He is held by his parents, Joelyn Sanchez and Roy Surigao, and his four godparents. Godparents are chosen from family or close friends. 0038-F19 01-baptism5
Kumaire/Måle’
Godmothers, or ninas, watch as a priest anoints their godson with oil as part of the baotismo (baptism) ceremony in this 1980 photo at Santa Barbara Church in Dededo.
Kumpaire/Pari’
Låncho: Ranch
Latte houses by David Lujan Sablan.
Latte’s Significance
thompson
Laura Maud Thompson
Ma uritao. Scene of the Ancient CHamorus illustrated by JA Pellion from Freycinet’s Voyage Autour de Monde, Paris, 1824. Guam Public Library System collection.
Ma Uritao
Suruhana. Photo by David Castro courtesy of Guahan Magazine.
Ma’goddai: Strong Urge
Matriarch by David Castro and Guahan Magazine.
Maga’håga: Highest Ranking Daughter
Show of respect for elder or clan leader. Freycinet collection from the Guam Public Library System.
Maga’låhi: Highest Ranking Son
Closeup of cut pugua and afok on pupulu, elements of a historically common mamå'on or chewing quid. Guampedia photo and måma'on prepared by James Bamba.
Magutos i Finihu: Marriage Rituals
Families are responsible for teaching children important values such as respect. Photo by Victor Consaga.
Mamåhlao: Shame
Woven guafak basket containing pugua (some cut) with afok balls, pupulu, and tieras pugua. Mamå'on basket arrangement by James Bamba, 2016. Guampedia photo.
Mamaisen Saina: Marriage Rituals
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
Mampolitiku: Politics
Show of respect for elder or clan leader. Freycinet collection from the Guam Public Library System.
Manachang
Grandmother and Child, 1958. Guam Museum collection.
Manåmko'
A male elder teaches children how to fish. Children were sent to their mother's clan to learn skills, responsibilities, and their role in the family. Victor Consaga/Guampedia
Mangkalamya: Skilled Artisans
Concepción Galleon
Manila Galleon Trade Route-La Nao de China: A Legacy in the Marianas
Manma'gas by Baltazar Bell.
Manma’gas: Leaders
Agriculture on Guam. Freycinet collection, 1824. Courtesy of the Guam Public Library System.
Mannakhilo’ and Mannakpåpa’
Illustration of wedding traditions and practices courtesy of the Department of CHamoru Affairs.
Marriage Traditions
San Vitores, center, was killed along with Pedro Calungsod after the missionary baptized CHamoru/Chamorro Chief Matå'pang's daughter without his consent. In this illustration Matå'pang and Hirao are portrayed as evil savages.
Matå’pang: Evolution of the Term
Vitores Statue
Matå’pang: Matapang
Ancient Guam Fishing Scene
Matao and Acha’ot
Matatnga by Raph Unpingco
Matatnga: Fearless
Colegio
Matrimony and Social Change in the Marianas during Spanish Times
Chores
Men’s Roles
Pangelinan - Bordallo Family, 1912. Jacqui Champion-McMahon collection.
Mestizo (Mestisu)
Taotaomo'na still taken from Alex Munoz's Return of Hurao.
Mo’na: Circular Concept of History
A male elder teaches children how to fish. Children were sent to their mother's clan to learn skills, responsibilities, and their role in the family. Victor Consaga/Guampedia
Mother’s Brothers
Governor's Garden. Guam Public Library System collection.
Mulatos and Negros
chaife
Mythological Depictions of Men
Legend of the First Coconut
Mythological Depictions of Women
Spears
Natural
Nginge' at wedding. Rene Mahone collection from the Micronesian Area Research Center (MARC).
Nginge’: Showing Respect
Nina. Leevin Camacho
Nina/Ninu
Matriarch by David Castro and Guahan Magazine.
Ninana: Motherhood
Trongkon Niyok poster courtesy of Guam Department of Education.
Niyok: Coconut
Family Statues
Nobena: Novena (Catholic Devotional Prayers)
Sagrada Familia
Nobenan I Sagrada Familia
St. Anthony altar
Nobenan San Antonion Padua
Chamorros
Origin of CHamoru/Chamorro as an Ethnic Identifier
Passion for Pugua Featured Image
Passion for Pugua
Chamorro Culture Division of Resources
Pattida: Dividing Family Land Among Children
At the time of the American capture of Guam in June 1898, the Spanish-built Governor's Palace was in a deteriorated condition.
Peninsulares
Tan Elena
Perspective: Guam Women in Art
Forbes Eric OFM Cap Women and Religion in Chamorro Society
Perspective: Women and Religion in CHamoru/Chamorro Society
Bartola Garrido and Chamorros of Yap.
Perspective: Women in Guam History: A Critical Reflection
3rd Guam Legislature, 1955
Perspective: Women in Politics
Princess of Ipao by William Hernandez.
Physical Anthropology of Ancient Guam and the Mariana Islands
Grandmother and Child, 1958. Guam Museum collection.
Poksai: Informal Adoption
Lime-impressed pottery has been dated from about 4,500 years before present to 800 years before present and is relatively rare compared to the huge number of pre-latte sherds collected.
Pre-Historic Pottery of Guam
Prebirth
Prebirth
Fishing_1200
Pumeska: Hunters on Land and Sea
Fouha Bay
Puntan and Fu’una: Gods of Creation
Chamorro Culture Gender Roles
Puntan Dos Amantes
Puntan Patgon
Puntan Påtgon
Regina Mafnas and Jesus Salas Terlaje
Regina Mafnas and Jesus Salas Terlaje, Master Suruhåna and Suruhånu
Chamorro-English Dictionary, 1975
Revised Chamorro-English Dictionary
Families are responsible for teaching children important values such as respect. Photo by Victor Consaga.
Saina: Elders
Ancient Guam Fishing Scene
Saina: Gender Roles
Santa Marian Kamalen. Courtesy of Department of Chamorro Affairs (DCA).
Santa Marian Kamalen
Lesson Plan: Diving With Sirena
Sirena
Warriors Attack From Ocean by Raph Unpingco, 2011
Slingstones: Weapons
A village scene of the Ancient Chamorros illustrated by JA Pellion from Freycinet’s Voyage Autour de Monde, Paris, 1824. Illustration from the Guam Public Library System.
Social Classes in Traditional CHamoru/Chamorro Society
A young unmarried women, sottera, was often restricted to the house in Pre-WWII Guam. Photo from the National Geographic courtesy of Don Farrell.
Sottera/Sotteru: Teenagers
Passing traditions by David Castro from Guahan Magazine collection.
Suruhånu yan Amot (Healers and Medicine)
House of Taga
Taga
Taotaomo'na by Ric Castro.
Taotaomo’na
Leading Prayers. Photo by David Castro and Guahan Magazine.
Techa: Traditional Prayer Leader
Legazpi
The Matao Iron Trade Part 1: Contact and Commerce
Manila Galleon
The Matao Iron Trade Part 2: Galleon Trading and Repatriation
ProaB
The Matao Iron Trade Part 3: Appropriation and Entanglement
Maidens
The Young Maidens That Saved Guam
Guampedia Circle Logo
Tolahi
Umayute’: Divorce
Umayute’: Divorce
A print of the people of the Mariana Islands by Dieinwhohner ver Diebs Infeln from the 1700s illustrates the lack of clothing and interactions between the men and women.
Uritao: Bachelor
Utak (White-tailed Tropic Bird) Sa'ipan, 2018. Photo by Rlene Steffy.
Utak: Itak
VOICES OF OUR ELDERS
Voices of Our Elders Media Files
Ancient CHamoru warriors wore woven helmets and chest plates in battle. Their weapons included the slingstone and spear. Raph Unpingco/Guampedia
Warfare
Ancient Guam Fishing Scene
Women’s Roles
Guampedia Circle Logo
Yula
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