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.
Maga’låhi Yula (also spelled Hula or Yura) was a chief from the village of Apotguan in Hagåtña, who is best known for sparking a Chamorro/CHamoru uprising in the summer of 1684.
Maga’låhi Tolahi (also spelled Tetlaje or Torahi) was a chief from Tachuc (immediately south of Malesso), who fearlessly led the southern villages in resistance to Spanish rule. Tolahi believed that Chamorros/CHamorus were entitled to live freely as they had for millennia before the Spanish arrived.
Not all CHamorus fought valiantly against Spanish occupation. There were some who chose to side with the Spanish for a variety of reasons.
History will remember Maga’låhi Matå’pang from Tomhom (Tumon) as the man responsible for murdering Father Diego Luís de San Vitores, the Spanish Jesuit priest who brought Christianity to the Mariana Islands. Matå’pang’s significance, however, has changed over the centuries as Chamorro/CHamorus and their understanding of historical events has changed.
Hurao is one of the most celebrated Chamorro/CHamoru chiefs in Guam’s history. He was a Hagåtña Chamorri (high caste) in the late 1600’s, who with the backing of the village makanas (spiritual leaders), was key in instigating the Spanish-CHamoru War.
Agualin (also referred to in historic documents as “Aguarin”) was a Chamorro/CHamoru chief who led several revolts against the Spanish. He was from Hagåtña, but traveled from village to village to inspire other CHamorus to fight Spanish colonialism and Catholicism.
