Conquest of the Marianas. A well-born Spaniard, José de Quiroga y Losada, was a major figure in the subjugation of the Chamorro/ CHamoru people, dedicated to their Christianization, killing many of them in the process.
José de Quiroga y Losada Read Post »
On 15 August 1568 the Spanish galleon San Pablo, anchored off the southwest coast of Guam, was hit by a sudden violent storm, blown onto a nearby coast and battered into a wreck, stranding 132 men from Miguel López de Legazpi’s embryonic Philippine colony.
Galleon: San Pablo Read Post »
CHamoru educator in Micronesia. Few CHamorus of Guam’s Spanish Era (1668-1898) are mentioned by name in the annals of Pacific history. However, there is one woman who stands out as an enigmatic presence among a long list of priests, colonial administrators, travelers, missionaries and traders who journeyed to Micronesia for God, wealth and adventure.
Construction of the first San Dionisio Catholic Church in Umatac/Humåtak began on November 12, 1680. On that same day a strong typhoon struck the island. The typhoon hit the southern part of the island producing a storm surge, which caused severe flooding to the islet where Don Joseph de Quiroga and the militia had been cutting wood to build the church of San Dionisio el Areopagita of Humåtak.
San Dionisio Catholic Church, Humåtak Read Post »
Eleven CHamoru men, kidnapped in Guam by Alonso de Salazar’s crew of the Victoria on 10 September 1526, to work the ship’s water pumps, became the first known Pacific crew members of a European based vessel. The Victoria was the only surviving ship of a seven ship fleet dispatched by Spanish Emperor Charles V.
Whaling Influence in the Marianas Read Post »
Dr. Alexander M. Kerr of the University of Guam translated Joseph Paul Gaimard’s 1819 glossary of CHamoru words assembled while he was on Guam in April 1819 as the naturalist of the French expedition about the French naval vessel Uraine. The ship, under the command of Louis Claude de Freycinet, circumnavigated the world during the years 1817 to 1820.
Joseph Paul Gaimard’s 1819 CHamoru Vocabulary Read Post »
View list of the fiestas by month or download the Catholic Church’s fiesta calendar.
Guam Fiesta Calendar Read Post »
Ancient Chamorros/CHamorus customarily chose their own spouses, rather than their families dictating who they would choose for a partner. The bride and groom’s families, however, had to approve of the choice. The groom provided gifts ranging from food items to services and even land, to the bride’s family to gain their acceptance.
Matrimony and Social Change in the Marianas during Spanish Times Read Post »
The early years. A method of barter was in common use by native CHamorus long before the Spaniards arrived in Guam in the 16th century. Because of this barter system and the absence of commerce, there was no need for a coinage system in Guam during the first 150 years of Spanish rule.
Spanish Coinage in Guam Read Post »
Toward the beginning of the 19th century King Fernando VII (1813-1833) was the regent in Spain when Europe was divided by two philosophies: absolutism and liberalism. Absolutism represented social and political reforms implemented prior to the French Revolution. Liberalism defended the principles of the French and American Revolutions.
1823 Guam Vital Statistics Report Read Post »
