ISLANDS
I LINÅ’LA’-TA -OUR TRADITIONAL WAYS
We deeply respect and honor our elders.
Mannginge’ is the way we show our most profound respect.
We learn from the wisdom and stories of our elders
[Images: Youth showing respect to elder; man showing boys to fish]
We take care of each other.
Family members, neighbors and friends work together to thatch a roof.
[Images: elderly woman with young kids; roof thatching]
Our elders teach traditional ways to our youth.
A baby’s christening is a joyful occasion for strengthening and expanding family ties.
[Images: Planting together; christening ceremony]
We celebrate important life events as a community.
Many gather to honor the memory of a loved one and to comfort one another.
[Images: funeral procession]
We practice traditional medicine and healing arts.
A traditional healer prepares medicine for a child.
OUR LANGUAGE - I FINO’-TA
Our ancestral language, Fino‘ Håya, has been spoken by our people for 3,500 years.
Fino‘ Håya is a part of the Austronesian family of languages which links us to our origins in Island Southeast Asia
I Fino’ I Mañaina-ta, I Fino’ Haya, Guaha Kasi 3,500 Na Såkkan
Desde Ma Yuma Nu I Taotao-ta Siha.
Påtte i Fino’ Hàya gi i familian Austronesian na lengguahi siha nu i muna’fanachetton ham yan Islan Southeast Asia.
[Image: Austronesian languages family chart; word similarities chart]
Our indigenous language has been passed down for over 150 generations.
Ancient CHamoru counting systems are being revived.
The tone and rhythm of the religious songs and prayers led by the techa are part of our chanting tradition.
Mapåsa Påpa’ I Fino’ I Taotao Tano-ta Para Mås Ki 150 Na Hinirasion.
Manalà’la i sisteman i manansiånu na tinifong.
I tunàda yan i kinalamten i padron i manrilihosu na sunidu siha, i kanta yan i tinayuyut nu i tinicha nu i techa pàtte gi tradisionàt na linalai.
[Images: Slingstones demonstrating counting system; techa]
We preserved our language through chants, songs, stories, legends, genealogies, prayers and proverbs.
Ta Adahi I Fino’-ta Ginen I Lalai, Kanta, Estoria, Lihende, Tålen I Haga, Tinayuyut Yan Atpahon Pat På’a’ Siha.
[Images: schoolchildren singing; musical band group photo]
OUR FAMILY CLAN - I MANGAFÅ-TA
Our family lineages define who we are and link us to our ancestral clans.
Our extended family ties bind us socially to our system of chenchule’ (reciprocity).
Elders teach children to repair fishing nets.
[Images: family portrait; repairing nets]
Families share in the rearing of children.
Guam’s story of Sirena depicts the shared parenting role of Sirena’s mother and godmother.
[Images: J/ Flores painting of Sirena story; storytelling sharing story with girls]
We pass down traditional knowledge from one generation to the next.
OUR BELIEFS - I HINENGGE-TA
Many of our beliefs are rooted in our ancestral values.
Inafa‘måolek - Working together for the benefit of the community.
Ina’dahi - Caring for each other and for our natural resources.
Ina‘gofli‘e‘ - Accepting others without judgement.
[Images: people net fishing together; roof thatching; people dancing]
Respect is a fundamental CHamoru value.
We salute the Guam flag as a symbol of our island nation.
[Images: Mangingge’; flag raising ceremony]
We venerate the cross as a sacred symbol of our Catholic beliefs.
We honor and preserve the artifacts of our past.
OUR ENDURANCE - I MINESNGON-TA
We are a strong and resilient people.
We rebuild after every natural disaster.
We have survived the onslaught of war.
We have survived occupation under three flags.
We gain strength from our faith.
We Adapt and Innovate .
Our spirit, language and culture endures.
From the very essence of my intellect
The deepest within my heart,
And every fiber of my physical strength,
I make this self-fulfillling promise
To protect and to defend
The beliefs, the culture, the language,
The air, the water, and the land of the CHamoru people
Which are our inherent God-given rights
This I will affirm on the Holy Bible
And our banner, the Guam Flag.
Written by Dr. Bernadita Camacho-Dungca,
The Inifresi is our official pledge to protect our language, culture and resources.
RANCH HOUSE - LÅNCHO FEATURE
Our lånchos (ranches) have always provided us with a sense of identity and security, connecting us with the land and tradition. There was space for growing and preparing food, relaxation and getting far away from the demands of life in the more crowded villages. The låncho also saved us during the war.