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Section 8. The Island of Guam: History, Facts and Local Customs
Guam, the largest island in the Marianas chain, is the westernmost possession of the United States since 1898. The island is known as “America's Gateway to Asia” and has been touted as the United States' best kept secret for its economic and geographic position.
This tropical island paradise lies at the southernmost end of a chain of 17 volcanic islands called the Marianas. Guam at one time earned the name of Islas de los Ladrones, coined by Portuguese voyager Ferdinand Magellan after a brief stopover that resulted in altercations with the native inhabitants.
The island of Guam is 212 square miles and is about 30 miles long and four to nine miles wide at its center. The southern part of Guam is made up of volcanic soil that range in altitude of 1,200 feet. The central and northern parts of the island are made up of limestone with steep cliffs that drop down to narrow coasts.
The indigenous natives known as taotao tåno' are called Chamorro. Their language is called Chamorro as well. Archaeological records show that Chamorros had inhabited the island of Guam before the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in the sixteenth century.
The Chamorro language, however, is a member of the Austronesian family of languages. Linguists know that it is not a dialect of another language, or a language borrowed from the culture of another people; it is a language all its own. Succeeding information suggests that the Chamorros have been in the Marianas chain for about 3,500 years, but virtually nothing is known about their place of origin or exact racial background.
The island had lived under 300 years of Spanish governance with the most significant impact brought on by the establishment of Catholicism. Its widespread influence is evident today in many religious observances, practical beliefs, and even local legends. In 1898, the island became a possession of the United States after the Spanish-American War.
Guam then became occupied by the Japanese forces in 1941, after which the U.S. retook the island again in 1944. Guam was then placed under a civilian administration. In 1950, with the passage of the Organic Act, Guam became an unincorporated territory of the U.S. The passage of the Act also granted Chamorros U.S. citizenship.
Guam, today, is home to over 160,000 people comprised of its indigenous people, the Chamorros, as well as Filipinos, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese and many others.
The Guam Bird: the Ko'Ko or Guam Rail is the official bird of Guam
The Guam Flower: the Puti tai nobio or Bougainvillea is the official flower of Guam
The Guam Tree: the Ifit or Ifil (Intsia Bijuga) is the official tree of Guam.
The careful planning and the financial support of the families of the prospective bride and groom are part of the preparation for a traditional Chamorro wedding.
The Catholic church plays a significant role in many Chamorro weddings The couple is required to undergo a series of pre-marital religious instructions called the litrina, followed by the successive three Sundays of marriage banns which culminates on the actual day of the ceremony. The day before the wedding, there is frenzied activity. There is cooking to be done, påla pålas (canopies and tents) to be erected, relatives and friends bring extra dishes of food, or just to lend a helping hand, also called ajudan kånnai. There is also the traditional killing of the pig for roasting, and other chores. All these activities take place at the houses of the bride and groom.
On the evening before the wedding, the groom's family, comprised of his parents, elder uncle or aunt (maternal and/or paternal), older brother or sister, and his godparents pay a formal visit to the home of the bride, where a hope chest of kaohao is presented. The contents in the kaohao contain the bridal gown, veil, significant apparel and accessories, change of attire for the bride's honeymoon, and gold jewelry - gifts presented by the groom's elders signifying her welcome into his family. This presentation is part of the komplimento. After the presentation, beetlenut, tobacco, spirits and gifts of food are passed out by the members of the groom's entourage.
The next day, the young man and woman are married in the village church. The wedding ceremony takes place in the village church where the bride is from. If the ceremony takes place in the morning, the bridal entourage meets at the bride's home for brunch or lunch. In the afternoon or during the evening, the party moves to the home of the groom. This is known as the fandånggo.
Today, a komplimento is fast being replaced with the western style bridal or Romeo and Juliet shower, bachelor party, or altogether disregarded until the wedding day reception. A fandånggo is still held in the homes of either the bride or the groom and sometimes in a public facility. The combined efforts and shared financial support of both families give way for one elaborate party.
When invited to a wedding, guests are encouraged to attend the church ceremony followed by the wedding party reception. Guests are greeted and welcomed at the reception. Gifts to the bride and groom are placed in a nicely decorated spot. Another form of a gift includes the chenchule' which is money in an envelope or card which is handed directly to the bride. A chenchule' can also be given to the parents of either bride or groom depending on one's sentiments, affectionate ties, or to reciprocate previous services. Proper courtesies are extended to the bride and groom who sit at the head table.
Next to the bride sits her godmother; the godfather of the groom sits next to him. Courtesies are also extended to others seated at the head table such as the priest, grandparents, best man, maid of honor and the parents of the couple.
After extending courtesies and socializing, the food table is blessed by the priest and the guests partake in a variety of delectable local cuisine that have been painstakingly prepared. A fandånggo is incomplete without the roast pig, kelaguin, fritåda, and eskabechi.
Dance music in the form of bands and/or disc jockeys is almost always present as well as alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine coolers, champagne and mixed drinks. Afterwards, guests usually bring home party favors that have now become an accepted tradition in local weddings.
Baptism is a sacred ceremony for all Catholics. Like weddings, baptism has religious significance and is a family affair. The baptismal ceremony usually takes place on a Sunday, when the child is ten days old or soon thereafter. Every child has a patlino or godfather, and a matlina or godmother. The godparents are chosen by the child's parents. All others who contribute to the role of godparents are considered witnesses of the baptism.
During the baptismal ceremony, the parents and sponsors present the child to the parish priest for baptism. At the end of the celebration, the parents and sponsors proceed to the reception.
Guests are usually invited to attend the baptismal ceremony, however, many prefer to go directly to the reception. It is proper to present a gift to the child. Gifts are placed at the designated area at the reception. After extending greetings to the parents and godparents, guests join in a festive reception – usually a luncheon or dinner of fiesta food.
When there is a death in the family, relatives and friends join the immediate family in prayer. This custom is known as a rosary. The rosary is prayed either at the home of the deceased or at the parish church. The rosary is led by the techa, usually a lady from the village who is asked to lead the prayers. The nightly rosary is prayed until the day of the funeral mass.
After the funeral Mass, the viewing of the deceased may take place either at the home, the parish church, or at a funeral parlor. Those who pay their final respects to the dead usually bring chenchule' -a gift of money of a voluntary amount appropriate to one's relationship to the deceased.
After the funeral Mass and burial, the traditional lisayon familia (family rosary) takes place at the home of the deceased. At the ninth evening of the rosary, a meal is served for guests who come to pay their respects.
A first anniversary rosary is observed with nine days of Masses at the parish church and the evening rosary. On the final evening, a meal is served. The celebration of the first anniversary of the death of a loved one marks the official close of the period of mourning observed by the immediate family for a period of one year.
A novena is a sequence of prayers and songs honoring the parish patron saint or an event in the life of Christ. It can also be offered at a time when someone is delivered from illness, bodily danger, or from the threat to one's safety or health. Like a lisayo, family and friends play an important role in these events. On the final day of the novena, a large gathering is held for the relatives, friends and guests to participate.
A local parish church holds its annual novena and fiesta on either the feast day of its patron saint or on the Saturday closest to the feast day. These fiesta dates are usually established a year in advance by the office of the Archbishop. A festal Mass is celebrated in the parish church usually with the Archbishop presiding as the Principal Celebrant. This is followed by a procession after which the traditional na' taotao tumano - a serving of food from the people of the village is served to guests. In these events, no invitation is needed. The parish welcomes all in a spirit of sharing and fellowship.
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