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Mother’s Brothers
Ancient Chamorros were a matrilineal society, where family connections were traced through the mother’s clan. Land ownership was through women, and was distributed through these close family clans. The eldest of these women was the maga’håga.
Mythological Depictions of Men
In ancient Chamorro/CHamoru society men were depicted as creators and as having superhuman strength. People used these concepts to attempt to make sense of the complex mysteries of creation and nature.
Magutos i Finihu: Marriage Rituals
When a young man and woman were attracted to each other during ancient times on Guam, the man would let his mother know when he wanted to propose marriage. If his mother had already died he would tell his grandmother or another near older female relative who would act as mediator.
Kulepbla: Snake
The snake first entered Guam, the CHamoru language and CHamoru consciousness hundreds of years before it physically arrived.
Hilitai: Monitor Lizard
The hilitai or monitor lizard (Varanus tsukamotoi) was introduced to the island before European contact in the 1500’s. It is black or dark green with yellow or white spots covering its body.
CHåmpada: Social Competition for Status
Competition for rank and status. As in any culture, Chamorros/CHamorus compete against themselves in various ways, whether at the level of individuals, families, neighborhoods, villages or regions.
Fumatinas Titiyas yan Fuma’gasi Magagu: Places of Romance
Prior the Spanish colonization of Guam, Chamorro culture was fairly liberal about issues of romance, marriage and sex, even when compared with the norms of today. With the incorporation of Catholicism into Chamorro culture, however, this changed.
Ma’goddai: Strong Urge
The Chamorro term ma’goddai can be described as a strong feeling one gets when they admire someone because of their appearance such as being poki (pleasantly chubby), cute, and having unique traits that distinguishes him or her from others.
Mamåhlao: Shame
The phrase Chamorro/CHamoru parents say to their children that best illustrates the core CHamoru value of respetu (respect) is “Mungga na un ma’ mamåhlao.” (Don’t bring shame to our family.)
Låncho: Ranch
The word “låncho” comes from the word Spanish word “rancheria” and refers to Chamorro farms, ranches, gardens, or family property in the hålomtåno’ (jungle), and even properties along beaches. They can be small or large, and can be active farming ventures with crops and livestock, or can be overgrown jungle in which families harvest wild tinanom, fruta yan gollai siha (plants/crops, fruits and vegetables).