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Database Update 15 January 2014
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- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
Thanks for your patience. The database has been updated and has grown from 306,393 to 307,563 names.
Save the Date for Lukao Fuha
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- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
JOIN IN AS WE REMEMBER AND CELEBRATE LIFE AND REVIVAL OF AN ANCIENT TRADITION.
LUKAO FUHA- A Procession to Fuha! This location is sacred in our origin story of Fo'na and Pontan. Also, it was an ancient annual tradition of our Taotao Håya (Chamorro) ancestors and families from all the islands would be represented to make their way down to Guam to participate in the celebration of Fo'na (Fu'una) yan Pontan (Puntan).
For more information contact Joseph Certeza (671) 486-1589 or visit Our Islands Are Sacred on Facebook.
Suruhåna, Suruhåno yan i Amot
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- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
"Directory of Traditional Healers and Medicinal Plants in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands"
By Manuel Flores Borja & Jose Somorang Roppul
"No law shall be made...prohibiting the traditional art of healing." From Article I, Section I of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. This is quite a profound statement that demonstrates a valuable component and deep respect of culture by embedding it within the supreme law of the land of the peoples'.
Although I have had this book for nearly a year, not long after it arrived, I loaned it out to a friend who was interested in it. So recently, it was returned and I have not quite finished reading it in detail, but did want to share with you the 47 names of people featured as a Suruhåna or Suruhåno in this book. Afterall, that is the main essence of the Chamorro Roots Genealogy Project – archiving names of those with Chamorro ancestry.
I am proud to say that Che'lu Noel Borja Quitugua, provided the design of the book cover. I must say that in the short time I have come to know Noel, I am quite inspired by his knowledge and efforts to help educate others and promote our culture.
This is an unusual and amazing book in so many ways of value and in addition to documenting part of our culture and history. It is translated in Carolinian, Chamorro and English. It contains oral history, many names and some with some genealogical information! Not all these people named are of Chamorro descent; however, this listing is inclusive and serves as a cross-reference for my genealogy notes.
This book also provided me more information about our connections and relationship with the Carolinians that have made our islands their home over the past few hundred years. It also contains some proverbs such as:
Chamorro: "Respeta I manåmko' sa' siha fondasion i lina'lå-ta."
Carolinian: "Awóór tuufey bwe iir lóngol malawasch."
English: "Respect the elders for they are the foundations of our lives."
I also didn't realize how many relatives through my Anderson lineage and within the Tudela branch, were traditional healers. This book was definitely calling out and talking to me!
FYI... As of this writing, I had extracted over 263 names and still counting!
Alphabetical List:
| Aguon, Mrs. Victoria (Vicky) Borja
Aldan, Maria (Tan Maria) Ayuyu Atalig, Margarita (Ita) Songao Ayuyu, Edward (Eddie) Aldan Ayuyu, Emilio Aldan Blas, Fermina Ogo Borja, Florencia (Chencha) Manibusan Borja, Teresita (Terry) Santos Calvo, Julita Atalig Camacho, Luis (Ling) Blanco Castro, Rodrigo (Digo) Mundo Castro, Rosa Tanin Castro, Thomas Castro, Vicente Cepeda, Luis Cruz Concepcion, Ignacio Salas Crisostomo, Maria Palacios Cruz, Jose Pangelinan Dela Cruz, Juana Santos Kapileo, Juan Quitugua Kioshi, Caridad Ogo Magofna, Trinidad Pinaula Manglona, Lourdes Toves Masga, Dolores Evangelista |
Mendiola, Beata Duenas
Mendiola, Donald Benavente Mendiola, Thomas Duenas Mesngon, Maria Mettao, Magdalena Lairopi Mundo, Jesse Salas Norita, Rebecca Maratita Omar, Tony Pialur Quitugua, Lucia Babauta Rangamar, Carmen Cabrera Rangamar, Rafael Ilo Reyes, Brigida Cepeda Roppul-Warakai, Rosa Somorang Sablan, Aguida Pangelinan Sablan, Gregorio P. Salalila, Rosa Blas San Nicolas, Henry Deleon Guerrero San Nicolas, Timothy M. Saralu, Dionisia Saures Seman-Riumd, Marina Laniyo Sulapas, Remedio Camacho Toves, Carmen Matagolai Tudela, Conception Faiso |
Coincidently, last week the Mina dos na Konferension Amot was held on Guam from January 2-4, 2014. Kudos to Ursula Herrera, Jessica Nangauta and the many others who made this event possible and sharing the information and pictures on FB.
Some additional reading information on-line regarding suruhånos and suruhånas (traditional healers and medicine):
Paula Brinkley. 1999. Use of Traditional and Alternative Medicine in Children on Guam, Volume 6, No. 2, pg. 168-177.
Chamorro Language & Culture. 2008. The difference between being a Suruhana, Le'an, and using Atgimat. Retrieved January 2, 2014 from: http://chamorrolanguage.blogspot.com/2008/04/difference-between-being-suruhana-lean.html
Hale'ta Series, Department of Chamorro Affairs, ' Suruhånu yan Amot: Healers and Medicine', referenced January 2, 2014, © 2009 Guampedia™, URL: http://guampedia.com/healers-and-medicine-suruhanu-yan-amot/
Påle Eric Forbes. 2012. More on Chamorro Medicine. From: http://paleric.blogspot.com/2012/09/more-on-chamorro-medicine.html
Guam Community College. 2013. The Medicine of the Ancient People (Chamorro Language video with English subtitles. Retrieved January 2, 2014 from: http://i-nasion-chamoru.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-medicine-of-ancient-people.html
Marilyn C. Salas, PhD, ' Ancient Chamorro Medicine Making', referenced January 2, 2014, © 2009 Guampedia™, URL: http://guampedia.com/ancient-chamorro-medicine-making/
Taimanu gi Åntes Man E’Guihan I Låggua Giya Luta
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- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
How Did They Catch Parrot Fish in Rota in the Past
Some of the interesting observations of former Governor Cortes included some fishing techniques of the Chamorro people in Luta (Rota). One particular fishing technique involves the use of a live decoy, the Låggua, [Parrot Fish]. 
To start one must catch a Låggua alive and without taking it from the water, make a hole in its back fin, and then keep it prisoner in a stone corral that is specially constructed in some shallow basin of the reef.
When it is time to fish for more, they will lead the tied up Låggua behind a canoe to deep hallow areas within the reef where it is known that the Låggua frequents. From there they will let out the line until the captive Låggua touches the bottom. The captive Lugua is then used to lure out other Låggua, that may be stationary in a coral reef hole, to fight with him. The fisherman will then begin to pull the line until the Låggua that is following the captive Låggua is within reach of the Fisherman’s spear and then toka! Ha konne’ i Låggua! (He catches the Låggua.)
At the time of this recording by Cortes, he noted that not that many used this technique. Also the Guam Recorder, where this story comes from noted that Mr. Gregorio Calvo who was a native of Rota for twenty years [since the original article in 1926] added more insight to this fishing technique. According to Calvo, the decoys were “secured by loops made in the extremely long slender tail-fins, which were doubled back on themselves and then lashed firmly into place. A rope of pago-bark passed through the loops in the tail would not tear out as easily as one inserted in a hole made in the easily torn back fin.”
Guampedia.com offers a similar story about this fishing technique.
References:
Felipe de la Cortes. 1926. Memoirs of Don Felipe de la Cortes, Eleven Years as Governor of Guam 1855-1866. Guam Recorder, December 1926, Volume 3, Number 9
Dominica Tolentino, ' Ancient Chamorro Fishing Tools', referenced December 6, 2013, © 2009 Guampedia™, URL: http://guampedia.com/ancient-chamorro-fishing-tools/
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