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Our Heritage

Land, lineage, traditions, and legacies

Ancient Guam Era, Ancient Guam: Economics, Chamorro Culture, Civic Society, Division of Resources, Early Historic Accounts, Economic Systems, Economics and Commercial Development, European Exploration, Trade and Scientific Studies, Historic Eras of Guam, Our Heritage, Trade, Transportation, Technology and Communications

The Matao Iron Trade Part 1: Contact and Commerce

 

Members of the matao, the highest-ranking strata of Mariana Islands society in the 16th and 17th centuries, carried on the first sustained cultural interaction and commercial exchange between Pacific Islanders and Europeans. From Ferdinand Magellan’s 1521 visit through the establishment of the 1668 Spanish Jesuit mission, these island traders, primarily from Guam and Rota, regularly bartered food staples and craftwork for iron goods with Spanish exploration and trade vessels, Dutch expeditions and English privateers.

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Folktale Alu and Pang
Ancient Guam Era, Chamorro Culture, Chamorro Folktales, Historic Eras of Guam, Our Heritage

Folktale: Alu and Pang

 

In ancient times the people of the Mariana Islands lived in villages ruled by a maga’låhi or maga’håga (chief or high-ranking son or daughter), who made all the rules and decisions for his or her people. In the area of Guahan now known as Tamuning, there lived a great maga’låhi whose name was Alu. People say he had supernatural strength. If he wanted a drink, he could shake a niyok (coconut) tree and the juice-filled, young, green coconuts would fall to the ground.

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Chamorro Culture, Historic Eras of Guam, Marriage, Our Heritage, Spanish Era

Matrimony and Social Change in the Marianas during Spanish Times

 

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.

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Ancient Guam Era, Chamorro Culture, Early Historic Accounts, Historic Eras of Guam, Our Heritage

Ancient CHamoru Kinship and Land Tenure

 

In CHamoru culture today, the notion of family or i-familia is very important.  From rosaries to weddings, funerals to barbecues, many CHamoru social events revolve around family.  CHamoru names, social status, social and cultural identities are rooted in family relations.  CHamorus rely on their families to take care of them; likewise, CHamorus are given responsibilities and obligations to carry out because of the connection they share as members of the same kin group.

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Ancient Guam Era, Chamorro Culture, Early Historic Accounts, Historic Eras of Guam, Our Heritage

Ancient CHamoru Cultural Aspects of Fishing

 

Fishing was one of the most important subsistence activities in ancient CHamoru society.  Surrounded by the ocean, the CHamorus relied on their fishing skills to obtain fish, shellfish, turtles and other marine resources necessary for their survival. The CHamorus had different tools, beliefs and cultural practices specifically related to fishing, as well as rituals that helped ensure their efforts were successful.

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Ancient Guam Era, Archeological Investigations, Burial Practices and Beliefs, Chamorro Culture, Funeral Practices, Historic Eras of Guam, Our Heritage

Ancient CHamoru Burial Practices

 

One of the distinguishing features of our humanity is the way in which people treat and understand death. Death is not only the end of a living organism’s biological functions, but entails a variety of cultural responses and ritual activities that go beyond recognizing the end of an individual’s life.

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