Marianas Pathway
Introducing the Mariana Islands
The Mariana Islands are the homelands of the indigenous Chamorro people. The archipelago was first populated some 3,500 years ago. The Mariana Islands were unified under a shared culture and history from when our ancestors first settled the archipelago up until 1898 when new colonial powers took over.
Our shared history and culture spanned from first settlement up until 1898 with the new colonial powers taking over.
Although today the islands of the Northern Marianas and Guam are politically separated, we are still connected through a vibrant culture and language, as well as shared ancestry, family genealogies, and stories of place.
Located in the Western Pacific region of Micronesia, the Marianas archipelago is composed of 15 islands. The larger, populated islands are Saipan, Tinian, and Rota in the north and Guam in the south.
This pathway invites you to traverse the history and heritage of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. In this pathway, you can find the Guampedia timeline which marks significant milestones in our historical journey, educational resources from scholars and cultural practitioners from across the archipelago, and community projects demonstrating how our Chamorro cultural values continue to shape our ways of life. The Marianas pathway is here to help you navigate through the rich heritage and history of our islands, and their unique position in the Pacific.
Marianas environment
From limestone forests and lush valleys to waterfalls and coral reefs, the natural environments of the Marianas have sustained the Chamorro people for thousands of years.You can learn more and access entries about natural environments of the Marianas here!
Our oceans
The Mariana Trench, located some 200 kilometers east of the Mariana Islands, is the deepest oceanic trench on earth. The oceans surrounding our archipelago are home to hafula’ yan halu’u (rays and sharks), tuninos (dolphins), and bayena (whales). The haggan, or green sea turtle, was once commonly found in our waters. Chamorros historically used turtle shells to craft jewelry, while turtle bones were used to make tools and turtle meat was eaten traditionally at ceremonial events. Hima (giant clams) are also culturally significant, archaeological findings reveal that clams were used as tools such as higam (adzes), guesgues (scrapers), and se’se’ (knives). Giant clams were also used to create the sinåhi, a crescent moon jewelry pendant that still holds cultural significance today. The higam was an important tool because it was used to build the sakman (canoe) that allowed Chamorros to fish and travel to neighboring islands. Chamorros were known for their speed and agility while navigating the open ocean.
Our lands
The ancient Chamorros who first settled in the archipelago adapted to a tropical environment while undergoing frequent typhoons, times of drought, and even occasional earthquakes and tsunamis. Scientists have learned that the archipelago experienced significant changes in both sea level and landscape topography over time, which affected the human settlement patterns and the kinds of plants and animals that thrive here. The Marianas has a tropical and humid climate, defined by periods of rainy (July – October) and dry (January – April) seasons. The ancient Chamorro calendar, which follows the phases of the moon, also reveals how our ancestors organized their lives around the changes of the environment. For example, Lumåmlam, which corresponds with the month of September in the Gregorian calendar, means “season of lightning,” while Fangguålo’ (October) means “planting season,” and Sumongsong (November) can be interpreted to mean “season to repair the nets, stay in the village.” This teaches us how a culturally rooted understanding of our natural environment can provide deeper insights.
Fish and Wildlife Fact Sheets
Guam’s Fish and Wildlife Fact Sheets made 80 fact sheets containing images and text describing the island’s species that live on land and in the ocean surrounding the Marianas. Each one names the species or organism in Chamorro and English. Some sheets indicate if the species is introduced to the islands, if it is endangered or if it is an extinct species. The sheets also have photos and/or illustrations showing the species in its natural habitat. They provide information on the origins, habitat, diet and season for harvesting or hunting. View fact sheets here.