Herman A. Crisostomo is a photographer and filmmaker known for his stylish television commercials and photographs of beautiful women. Born in Sinajana to Herman Aguon Crisostomo and Marie Rosario Crisostomo, he is one of nine children. Crisostomo owns Pacific Pictures Film & Video, and Pictures, Inc.
Clotilde “Ding” Castro Gould (1930-2002) was a beloved storyteller, educator and advocate for Chamorro language and culture. Through her sense of humor and gift for weaving stories and songs together about Chamorros and life on Guam, Gould helped create and shape Chamorro language resources and programs on Guam, as well as advanced cultural awareness of the Marianas in the larger Pacific region.
Clotilde “Ding” Castro Gould Read Post »
Robert Phillip Taitano (1938 – 2022) was an established woodcarver who specializes in crafting art works, furniture and other decorative pieces from local hardwood. A recognized Master Carver by the Guam Council on the Arts and Humanities Agency (CAHA), Taitano produced pieces for numerous dignitaries, including Guam governors, senators of the Guam Legislature, United States Congressional delegates, island judges, and even the former US President William “Bill” Clinton.
For most people in the Marianas today, getting something to eat is as easy as a trip to the grocery store or to a favorite restaurant. This is different from a century or even a few decades ago, when many families had their own ranches where they grew vegetables or fruit, or raised animals for their families to eat.
Ancient CHamoru Agricultural Practices Read Post »
Dating as far back as the Upper Paleolithic (around 10,000 to 40,000 years ago), humans have been producing art that has both captivated and puzzled archeologists. From figurines to body ornaments to carvings on spear shafts, archeologists have studied and marveled at the subject matter, variety of forms and degree of skill of ancient art.
Ancient CHamoru Cave Art Read Post »
Of the different pottery forms produced in the Marianas, the lime-incised pottery from the early Pre-Latte era is of particular significance. Once referred to as Marianas redware, this early pottery is characterized as a thin-walled vessel with a red slip, or coated surface. The name redware has since been replaced by the term Early Calcareous Ware (EWC) because while these pots are made with a coral sand (calcareous) temper (a material mixed with the clay to make it more easily workable) not all vessels have the red slip.
Ancient CHamoru Pottery: Early Calcareous Ware Read Post »
In the Mariana Islands, as well as other islands throughout the Pacific, rice is considered one of the most important food staples. Bags of rice are shipped to the islands regularly. In the Marianas, rice is served at most every meal or special occasion.
Ancient CHamoru Use of Rice Read Post »
Cultural aspects of food. Humans require food in order to survive. People get their food from the natural environment through practices of food collection, farming, and the hunting or raising of animals. But food not only nourishes our bodies—food is culturally important, too.
Ancient CHamoru Food and Diet Read Post »
Tooth staining. Unlike clothing or hairstyles, body modifications are changes made to the body itself that are of a more permanent nature. Among the CHamoru people, the most remarkable examples of these kinds of modifications were tooth etching and staining.
Ancient CHamoru Body Modification Read Post »
Body ornamentation. All human cultures practice some form of body ornamentation. Body ornamentation refers to the ways in which people decorate or dress their bodies for any number of reasons or occasions.
Ancient CHamoru Jewelry: Manmade Accessories and Body Coverings Read Post »
