Margaret Perez Hattori-Uchima was a nurse, a teacher, a scholar, and a staunch advocate for health care rights to Guam’s most vulnerable populations, particularly those experiencing homelessness.
Dr. Margaret Hattori-Uchima Read Post »
Betel nut, known to Chamorro as pugua, can be viewed as a rich marker of cultural and social practice.
Betel Nut: Cultural and Social Aspects Read Post »
The 1918 Influenza Pandemic in Guam In 1918, more than 900 people died in Guam, approximately 70 percent of them due to influenza. The 1918 Influenza Pandemic was a significant
The 1918 Influenza Pandemic in Guam Read Post »
Dr. Olivia Torres Cruz (1934 – 2022) was the first CHamoru woman to become a medical doctor. She was a trailblazer who advocated for more accessible medical care and helped to pave the way for more women in medicine.
Dr. Olivia Torres Cruz Read Post »
“Gof Metgot I Mana’amte Yan I Amot Siha”—a solemn and profound message recently conveyed at a family gathering by Mrs. Josefa Cruz Certeza, known affectionately to her family, friends, and the community of Guam as Tan Pai, by amazing grace, still alive and well at 96 years old.
Josefa Cruz Certeza Read Post »
As a child, Juan Cepeda was exposed to traditional healing methods as he assisted his mother Francisca Quitano Cepeda, a suruhåna with the picking of medicinal herbs and other chores required in the preparation of medicines. An everyday occurrence, patients visited their home seeking help from Tan Francisca, providing Juan a means of learning to identify the different plants and their medicinal purposes. However, it would be many years later before Juan actually practiced the art of traditional healing.
As a child growing up in Saipan, it was a common sight for young Genaro Saralu, to see his mother, a local healer treating her patients. Genaro’s great-grandfather, grandfather, and mother were all healers. Genaro’s mother and grandfather taught him the proper methods and techniques of gathering the plants used to prepare medicine for various ailments, as well as various methods of massage. Genaro also learned to call upon the strength of his ancestors to heal his patients.
Master Suruhåna Tan Regina and Master Suruhånu Tun Jesus Terlaje have treated hundreds of individuals from throughout the island who have sought healing through a suruhånu.
Regina Mafnas and Jesus Salas Terlaje Read Post »
Master Suruhåna Angela Santos Palacios has treated many individuals and is a well-known and well-sought suruhåna.
Angela Santos Palacios Read Post »
Our food choices. As with most communities, the necessity for food is interwoven with cultural and social needs. For the people of the Mariana Island, food is, and always has been, central to the cultural practices and traditions that have shaped daily life in the community.
Health Consequences of Modern Diets on Guam Read Post »
