Chamorro Cultural Continuity
The Chamorro people made the Mariana Islands their homeland more than 4,000 years ago. The Chamorro culture has prevailed and thrived even through 350 years of colonial rule by Spain, Japan and the United States. Mañaina (parents) and man’åmko (elders) have passed on Chamorro cultural values and mores to their children through the generations, ensuring continuity.
While the expression of cultural values has adapted to the times, the core values remain. Understanding and practicing the Chamorro traditional values: respetu, inafa'maolek, manginge', mamåhlao, chenchule', che’lu and påtgon, are more important than ever before in a quickly changing world.
click to know more >>Puntan and Fu’una
Puntan and Fu’una, brother and sister, are the Chamorro creation gods. The account of their creation of the world constitutes one of the most important oral histories of the Chamorro people. According to the Chamorro people, a very long time ago, Puntan and Fu’una devised a plan in which their supernatural forces would be put to extremely powerful use.
click to know more >>Hafa Adai and Welcome!
Guampedia, Guam’s Online Encyclopedia, exists to inform a global audience of the unique history, culture, environment and present-day society of the Pacific Island of Guam.
Guampedia provides a comprehensive, accessible, quality resource that increases opportunities for greater understanding and knowledge about Guam by people everywhere.
Guampedia will always be a work in progress as history unfolds and technology allows.
Featured Content
Proa and Navigation
The Chamorro people made outrigger sailing vessels that flew like birds according to early visitors. Visitors to the islands in the 16th through 18th centuries were amazed by their speed and agility. read more
Latte
Latte is a Chamorro term that refers to stone pillars and cup-shaped capitals or capstones, which represent house supports and are ascribed to the ancient people of the Mariana Islands. read more
Timeline
