Chamorro Language & Culture

Literature Spotlight: Tanya Taimanglo

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 03:57:00 +0000

In the Chamorro community, we're seeing an increased interest in writing, fine art, and other creative pursuits. Tanya Taimanglo is an author, blogger, and wonder woman who is paving the way for fierce Chamorro female characters in thought-provoking fiction. Taimanglo, a Guam native residing in Washington state, is the author of Sirena, Attitude 13, and Secret Shopper and blogs about writing, art, and Chamorro culture on her blog, Guam Goddess in Training.

Being a small community - and an even smaller arts community - it may feel like an isolating experience to be a Chamorro artist or writer. Positive, supportive authors and bloggers like Taimanglo are reshaping our community through a refreshing new perspective that embraces Chamorro creativity, collaboration, and unique individual expression. Chamorro Language & Culture asks writer/dreamer/heroine Tanya Taimanglo what inspires her and what she's learned about herself throughout her own creative journey from the Marianas to the Pacific Northwest:

Chamorro Language & Culture (CLC): You’re an innovative Chamorro author who promotes strong, empowered female characters. What has inspired you to take this direction in your writing?

Tanya Taimanglo (TT): I love reading about empowered women in general, but I wanted myself reflected culturally in a book. Without having any real pool to choose from, I decided to create my own characters.

CLC: Where would you like to see yourself in ten years?

TT: Writing. Success or not as a writer, I think I would still be writing. I would like to expand my publications from three to more and in varied subjects. As a wife and mother, my time is precious. But, no matter where my domestic life takes me, writing is my outlet and therapy.

CLC: What are you working on now?

TT: I’m in the middle of building Attitude 13 Volume 2. I have collected a few short stories over the years that I would like to highlight in this second volume. I’m also creating a lot of YA (Young Adult) pieces currently and would like to see them evolve into finished books, sooner than later.

CLC: In addition to promoting Chamorro culture in some of your works, what other areas or topics do you find inspiration?

TT: If you know me, I’m a massive GEEK. I attend Comic Cons whenever I can. Don’t get me started on Wonder Woman or Bruce Lee. But, I find inspiration in other books, great movies, and my everyday interactions with people.

CLC: Who are your influences, in writing and your other creative endeavors?

Available on Amazon

TT: My writing endeavors started when I was young, but I was only serious after my father died in 2007. I felt like I lost my cultural guide. So, to create something in his honor, I tapped my younger brother to illustrate the Sirena children’s book for me. We dedicated it to our dad and have been very proud of this homage. I find great inspiration from other Chamorro artists--writers, photographers, painters. I love that the community continues to grow and strengthen.

CLC: You are a native Chamorro from Guam. What do you miss most about home, the culture?

TT: Would it be bad if I said food? I miss my family and the ability to just relax. I miss simplicity.

CLC: If you could rid the world of one (or two things-or more) what would they be and why?

TT: This is tough. From my experiences with people, on Guam or stateside, I hate bias. Coming from a Chamorro father and a Korean mother, I grow up with a lot of distance from others my age. I was an oddity because I wasn’t “local” enough and with my Korean kin, I was not Asian enough. That contributed to silence and feelings of inferiority on my part. Older and wiser, and a whole lot less angrier about who I am, I’ve embraced my differences. I don’t care for ignorance, bias, segregation, judgment at all. I’ve removed it from my life.

CLC: How has your family influenced your work?

Available on Amazon

TT: Aside from my father’s passing, my younger brother, Sonny Chargualaf, is a constant source of inspiration. His art and passion for it helps me and others since he launched HeroesandHeadKicks (https://instagram.com/heroesandheadkicks/). My children and husband inspire me as well. Honestly, if I wasn’t with my husband, I don’t think my writing path would have been well established or nurtured.

CLC: What are some positives and negatives about being a contemporary Chamorro writer?

TT: Support. Support for other artists/writers is what I give. If someone is doing something new, I’m the first to promote it. It’s tough. We’re taught to be modest, so sometimes it’s hard for me to promote myself. It would be nice to receive more support in general back in Guam or stateside. Sometimes I hear about my work being utilized in the schools in Guam and it makes my week. I’ve had a student message me to tell me they read one of my stories in class at GWHS. That is inspiring and makes me want to write more.

CLC: Which books have left the greatest impression on you?

TT: I read so much, it’s like a treasure hunt, in that I pick up nuggets of truth in each story. I can’t honestly answer this; it’s like picking my favorite song. I still have a mountain of books I need/want to read.

CLC: What organizations or groups are you affiliated with?

Available on Amazon

TT: CHE’LU, Chamorro Hands in Education Links Unity from San Diego. I enjoyed my time as a Board member and secretary. Their Chamorro Cultural Festival is an annual celebration that would be a great model for other cities. Since relocating, I’ve become a Communications Adviser for them. I was briefly affiliated with United Roots in Washington.

CLC: How is everyday life in the Mainland for you and your family?

TT: A lot of our focus is the family. My husband and I want to raise happy, healthy, respected and respectful children. We enjoy the occasional meet up with family and people from Guam. We enjoy exploring what our state offers in terms of festivals, museums, concerts and so forth.

CLC: Where can we get the latest news about you?

TT: I have an author page on Facebook. I’m fairly active on Twitter, but for something heartier, one can check out my blog, Guam Goddess in Training. Otherwise, my auntie will blast it on Facebook when something awesome happens in my life, like a birthday.

You can discover more about Tanya Taimanglo in the following links and stay tuned for her future projects!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TanyaTaimanglo
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TanyaCTaimanglo
Blog: http://guamgoddessintraining.blogspot.com/
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/TanyaTaimanglo

"Everyday Chamorro: Chamorro Language Phrases for Beginners" (Paperback/Kindle)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 09:02:00 +0000

Click to Purchase

Learning a language isn't an easy task, even if you're the type who's more linguistically inclined. However, when one is learning a rare language such as Chamorro, the indigenous language of the Mariana Islands, using it in everyday conversation can be extremely intimidating.

In "Everyday Chamorro: Chamorro Language Phrases for Beginners," you'll find a variety of tips, common phrases, and cultural tidbits that will help you on your way to achieving your language goals.

Whether you're learning Chamorro because it's part of your heritage, for pure polyglot curiosity, or just to learn a few phrases to be a polite visitor to the Marianas, "Everyday Chamorro" can be used as a resource in navigating a variety of basic conversation topics from travel and family interaction to everyday tasks and more.

Click here to purchase the Paperback edition

Click here to purchase the Kindle eBook

KC Leon Guerrero - Bira Hao Magi (English Subtitles)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 08:47:00 +0000

I Utugrafian Chamorro yan i Areklamento-ña - Chamorro Orthography and Rules

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 07:21:00 +0000

Part of learning Chamorro is not only understanding it in the colloquial sense, but also when it's used in official documents. The following is an excerpt from an official Government of Guam document written back in September 8, 1978. The document is linked below where you can see inconsistencies and why it was, and still is, so important to maintain language consistency. The following written portion is written with corrections so you can see the difference in use, spelling, and punctuation.

Gubetnun Guahan Ufisinan Maga'lahi Hagatña, Guahan
Government of Guam, Office of the Governor, Agaña, Guam

Iksekitibu na Otdin Numiru 78
Executive Order No. 78

I Utigrafian Chamorro yan i Areklamento-ña
Chamorro Orthography and Rules

Komu, i Chamorro i priopiu na finihu' Guahan yan i Islas Marianas siha; yan
Whereas, Chamorro is the indigenous language of Guam and the Marianas Islands; and

Komu, i finihu' Chamorro marikunisa ufisiatmenti yan mafa'layi komu unu gi ufisiat na finihu' siha gi Guahan; yan
Whereas, the Chamorro language has been officially recognized and codified as one of the official languages of Guam; and

Komu, sisteman na tinigi' Chamorro taya na mana'klaru i mariprisinta-ña gi tinigi'; yan
Whereas, the Chamorro writing system has never been explicitly delineated in any official form; and

Komu, taya ufisiat na areklu humuyung meggai na klasi yan difirentis tinigi' manma'usa; yan
Whereas, the lack of any official rules has resulted in inconsistent usage and form; and

Komu, pa'go na tempu meggai manmamannge' madalalalaki i hinasson-ñiha yan i petsunat na histilu-ñiha yannggin manmangge' gi fino' Chamorro; yan
Whereas, at the present time most writers follow their own intuition and personalized style when writing in Chamorro; and

Komu, i Marianas Orthography Committee ha adopta i sisteman madilitreha gi mit nuebisiento setentaiunu na sakan; yan
Whereas, the Marianas Orthography Committee adopted a spelling system in 1971; and

Komu, i sisteman manoilitreha ma'u'usa pa'go gi bilingual education na prugrama gi eskuelan Guahan yan gi sanlagu na Islas Marianas; yan
Whereas, this spelling system is currently being used by the bilingual education programs in schools on Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands; and

Komu, asta pa'go na fecha taya ufisiat na utugrafia ma'adoptan; yan
Whereas, to date, no official orthography has been adopted; and

Komu, prisisu na uma'istapblesi un ufisiat yan unifotmi na utugrafian Chamorro para uma'asigura un klasin tinigi ha' gi finihu' Chamorro; yan
Whereas, an official standard Chamorro orthography should be adopted to assure uniformity in the use of the Chamorro language; and

Komu, i Chamorro Language Commission ha' estudiayi, ha' analisa, yan ha' diskuti apmam na tempu todu i guaha yan difirentis na tinigi' gi finihu' Chamorro para umalaknus unu ha' na sisteman tinigi' gi finihu' Chamorro; yan
Whereas, the Chamorro Language Commission has devoted numerous months and countless hours, past attempts and proposals to systematize the Chamorro writing system; and

Komu, i Chamorro Language Commission ha' prisenta gi as Maga'lahi un sistema yan i gumachuchungi na areklamentu siha ni muna'anuk hafa diputsi i Chamorro na finihu' yan para umanalibiyanu ma'usa-ña yan mafañgue-ña gi eskuela siha; yan
Whereas, the Chamorro Language Commission has presented the Governor with a system and a set of rules that they feel is reflective of Chamorro and will facilitate its use and teaching in the schools; and

Komu esta munhayan-hu istudia i rikumindasion i Chamorro Language Commission ya hu aprueba i mapruponi;
Whereas, I have reviewed the recommendation of the Chamorro Language Commission and concur with their proposal;

Pues, put este siha na rason, guahu si Ricardo J. Bordallo, Maga'lahin Guahan put i uturidat ni mana'i yu ginen i Organic Act of Guam ni ma'amendi-hu otdin na uma'adopta sigun gi matugi' guini "I Chamorro na Utugrafia yan Areklamento-ña"...
Now, Therefore, I, Ricardo J. Bordallo, Governor of Guam, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Organic Act of Guam, as amended, do hereby order the adoption of the following "Chamorro Orthography and Rules"...

As you can see from the following document, even in the 1970s, there was a defnite struggle on Guam regarding the use and perpetuation of the Chamorro language. While other public schools in the Northern Marianas used English at school, Chamorro was often the primary language, if not the sole language, used at home. Orthography and spoken language was deemed to be the responsibility of Chamorro family, but one wonders where the disconnect may have occurred in Guamanian Chamorro households.

Compare the spelling and message to modern Chamorro and see how even in the 1970s, there was much confusion and inconsistency in Chamorro orthography on Guam:

http://documents.guam.gov/sites/default/files/E.O.-78-26-I-Utugrafiyan-Chamorro-Zan-I-Areklamento-Na-Cham.pdf

In any case, it is up to all Chamorros who do speak the language to help our fellow brothers and sisters achieve language proficiency. We can contribute by posting bilingual videos, audio, and writing in Chamorro and English to help others get used to vocabulary and phrase acquisition as well as building their confidence. Together, we can all contribute to saving the Chamorro language.

Chamorro Authors, Bloggers, and Poets

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 19:44:00 +0000

Chamorro writers, as reflected in the current diaspora, are not just confined to the Mariana Islands. Across the globe, we're seeing a surge in Chamorro creative writing, blogging, and poetry. In effort to string together this group of Chamorro writers, we're looking to consolidate this information and spread the word on Chamorro literature to raise awareness on these linguistic, cultural, and creative endeavors.

Below, is a list of notable Chamorro authors, bloggers, and poets to consider in your search for building up your Chamorro book collection. Corresponding websites and articles are hyperlinked, and if you're a Chamorro writer and you're not on this list, please comment below with your name, website, and publications. If you have any corrections to the information below, please let us know via comment. In the meantime, enjoy, and support Chamorro authors!

Daibitis - Diabetes

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 20 May 2014 00:02:00 +0000

(This is from a women's health brochure on diabetes from the FDA)

Mas ki nuebe miyon na famalao’an giya Estados Unidos man daibitis.More than 9 million women in the United States have diabetes.

Ya tres miyon ti tumungo!And 3 million don't even know it!

Kao un tungo na...? Did you know...?
•Daibitis ha umenta mas chansa para un inataka I korason, pat sino strok.Diabetes increases your risk for heart attack or stroke.
•Guaha famalao’an man ninayi ni daibitis yangin man mapotgi.Some women get diabetes when they are pregnant.
•Famalao’an ni man daibitis mas siña man mafak i mapotgiñiha, pat man gai neni ni man gai difekta yangin mafañagu.Women who have diabetes are more likely to have a miscarriage or a baby with birth defects.

Hafa i daibitis? What is diabetes?
•Daibitis un chetnot i ni a tulaika hafa taimanu i tataotao-mu ha usa i asukat. I nengkanno ni unkanno’ ha tulaika para asukat. I asukat hu mahanao para todo i bandan tataotao-mu. Tenga i insulin ha ayuda i asukat-mu gi haga para i cells gi tataotao anai ha pega para un nina brabu.Diabetes is a disease that changes the way your body uses sugar. The food you eat turns to sugar. The sugar then travels through the blood to all parts of the body. Normally, insulin helps get sugar from the blood to the body's cells, where it is used for energy.
•Yangin daibitis hao, mapot i tataotao-mu mamatinas pat/ sino ha ripresta para i insulin. I tataotao-mu taya brinabuña. Yan i asukat-mu gi haga mas takkilo.When you have diabetes, your body has trouble making and/or using insulin. So your body does not get the fuel it needs. And your blood sugar stays too high.

Hafa na klasen daibitis siha? What are the types of diabetes?
• Klase unu – I tataotao–mu ti mamatinas insulin. I taotao ni klasen uno ha nisisita insulin kada dia para u la’la’.Type 1 --The body does not make any insulin. People with type1 must take insulin every day to stay alive.
• Klasen Dos -I tataotao ti ha u u’sa i insulin taimanu dipotsi. Mas taotao ni man daibitis man ninayi ni klasen dos.Type 2 --The body does not make enough insulin, or use insulin well. Most people with diabetes have type 2.

Kao mas hao atotga ni daibitis?Who is at most risk for diabetes?
•Kao un nisista para un ribaha i libras-mu?Do you need to lose weight?
•Kao taya kinalamten mu?Do you get little or no exercise?
•Kao takkilo i presun hagu-mu (130/80) pat mas takkilo)?Do you have high blood pressure (130/80 or higher)?
•Kao man daibitis i familia-mu?Do you have diabetes in your family?
•Kao palao’an hao ya ninayi daibitis anai mapotgi hao?Are you a woman who had it when you were pregnant?
•Kao mañagu hao neni ni mas ki nuebe libras gi mafanaguña?Have you had a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds at birth?
•Kao Afrikano Amerikanu, Natibu Amerikanu, Ispañot, Asiano Amerikanu, pat Islas Pasifiku na taotao hao?Are you African American, Native American, Hispanic, Asian American, or Pacific Islander?

Hafa i siñat siha?What are the warning signs?

•Mas sesso guato gi kemmonFrequent trips to the restroom
•Sesso ñgalang pat ma’uFeeling hungry or thirsty all the time
•Maya’ i inatan-muBlurred vision
•Chinachak pat malasas ya dispasio mahgongCuts or bruises that are slow to heal
•Todo i tiempo yayas haoFeeling tired all the time
•I kanai yan addeng man laolao pat ma’etdotTingling or numbness in the hands or feet

Guaha taotao man daibitis, lao taya na maripara i siñat.There are some people with diabetes, but do not notice any signs.

Hafa siña hu chogue yan daibitis yu?What can I do if I have diabetes?
Usa i maolek na amotUse medicines wisely
• Guaha na taotao ni man daibitis ma nisisita machule' i pitdoras pat i dilok insulin. Tattiyi i direksion.Sometimes people with diabetes need to take pills or insulin shots. Be sure to follow the directions.
• Faisen i mediku-mu, infitmera, pat i taotao i sagan amot hafa i amot-mu para uchogue. Faisen lokkue ngai’an na para un chule', yan hafa na dañu hiniyongña.Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist what your medicines do. Also ask when to take them and if they have any side effects.

Atan hafa unkanno, yan na kalamten i brinabu-mu.Watch what you eat and get exercise
•Taya unu na dieta para i taotao ni daibitis. Faisin i taotao i salud brinabu-mu pot i planu para hagu.There is no one diet for people with diabetes. Work with your health care team to come up with a plan for you.
•Kalamten masea trenta minutus gi ha’ane, kuantos dias gi semana. Na kalamten i tataotao-mu ya un usa i insulin mas maolek.Be active at least 30 minutes a day most days of the week. Exercise helps your body's insulin work better. It also lowers your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

Rikonosi i asukat i haga-mu yan tungo i iyo-mu ABC’s.Check Your Blood Sugar and Know Your ABCs
• Adahi hao kontra i chetnot korason yan strok, na siguru na i asukat haga, presun haga, yan i kolesterol man ma adahi.Help prevent heart disease and stroke by keeping your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol under control.
• Rikonosi i asukat haga yan i testa ni siña un usa gi gima.Check your blood sugar using a meter (home testing kit).
• Faisen i mediku-mu pot i A-1-C na haga para u ma tes. Rikononosi i asukat haga kada dos pat tres meses.Ask your doctor for an A-1-C ("A-one-see") blood test. It measures blood sugar levels over 2 to 3 months.
• Kuentuse i taotao salud brinabu-mu pot iyo-mu ABC’S:Talk to your health care team about your ABC's:

A-1-C
Blood pressure
Cholesterol

Para Un Tungo Mas:
To Find Out More:
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Diabetes Information
http://www.fda.gov/diabetes

Billionaire

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 19 May 2014 23:46:00 +0000

DHL Founder and billionaire Larry Hillblom seemed to have vanished into thin air when he failed to return from a routine flight in his vintage Seabee over the Pacific. After his disappearance, a dark side of Larry emerged. Even before he was officially declared dead, bar girls throughout Southeast Asia came forward claiming to have had children by Larry and seeking a piece of his vast fortune. BILLIONAIRE unravels the secretive and scandalous life of this enigmatic and reclusive tycoon on the island of Saipan, CNMI. The battle over his estate took on epic proportions, pitting impoverished, teenage prostitutes against Larry's former business associates and several of the largest law firms in the world. In the end it is a David and Goliath story, as a surprising hero emerges to untangle the web and discover the startling truth.

Casino Jack and the United States of Money

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 19 May 2014 23:39:00 +0000

If you want to skip ahead to the segment on Saipan, start watching at 38:20

This is a segment from the documentary Casino Jack and the United States of Money. It discusses the situation of the immigrant nonresident workers in the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and how they have been exploited and abused over their time in the islands. It goes into how the government of the CNMI worked with the likes of Jack Abramoff and Tom DeLay to prolong the abusive system and prevent any federal reforms from taking place. Many of these immigrant workers are still in the CNMI today, and many of the political figures in this video still hold some form of public status.

Happy CNMI Liberation Day!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 22:09:00 +0000

The CNMI’s largest community event, the Liberation Day Festival is organized by a team of volunteers under a non-profit organization. This year’s celebration marks the 61st anniversary of the day that the Armed Forces liberated the Northern Mariana Islands. The festival will showcase nightly live-entertainment, queen contests, games, amusement rides and food booths as part of the celebrations activities. This year’s theme is "Challenge of Liberation for Peace & Freedom". The annual Liberation Day festival is scheduled to take place from June 1 to July 8 and will be held at the Garapan Fishing Base Complex. The parade would take place in the afternoon starting at 3:00 p.m. until parade ends on July 4, 2007. The Parade will start off at National Office Supply to the Reviewing Stand (in front of Kristo Rai Church). For more information, please contact the Saipan Mayor’s Office at (670) 234-6208.

HISTORY

The Battle of Saipan

Plans to launch an offensive against the Japanese in the islands of the Pacific were initiated in 1943 at the Quadrant Conference held in Quebec. President Franklin Roosevelt received the proposal that the Allied effort in the Pacific should be directed first toward the Gilbert Islands, then the Marshalls, followed by Wake, the Eastern Carolines, and finally the Marianas. It was at Saipan that American military planners were presented with the problem of how to cope with a dense civilian population, the first to be encountered in the Pacific war. American forces were to be under the overall command of Admiral Chester Nimitz.

The American drive across the Pacific would be two-pronged. While Nimitz fought his way across the central Pacific, General MacArthur would advance across the southwest Pacific to the Philippines. The islands of the central Pacific either succumbed one by one under the sheer weight of American forces or were bombed, neutralized and bypassed. With their supply lines cut, the defenders of by-passed islands were left to starve. After the fall of the Marshall islands, no other island in the central Pacific would be invaded by American ground forces until the American armada reached the waters off the Marianas and the island of Saipan.

American war strategy in the western Pacific was developed around the premise that Japan would never surrender and that the nation would fight to the last man, woman, and child, particularly if the home islands were invaded. It was anticipated that such an invasion, if it were to occur, would result in the loss of one million American lives. In planning for this eventuality, air bases in the Marianas were essential in order to accommodate the new B-29 Superfortress, a U.S. bomber that was just beginning to be mass-produced in early 1944 and which had a flying range equal to the distance from Saipan, Tinian and Guam to Japan and back. The B-29's normal range was 2,850 miles at 358 m.p.h. with a 20,000 ton carrying capacity at 32,000 feet. The capture of the island of Saipan thus became crucial in the preparations for this massive invasion.

The assault on Saipan began on June 15,1944, almost a week after the invasion of Europe. An armada of 535 ships carrying 127,570 U. S. military personnel (two-thirds of whom were Marines of the 2nd and 4th Divisions) converged on the island. The ships of the invasion force carried 40,000 different items to support the assault - everything from toilet paper to government-issue coffins. A single supply ship carried enough food to feed 90,000 troops for one month. Navy tankers transported the gigantic quantity of petroleum products required to support the invasion. Aircraft alone consumed over 8 million gallons of aviation fuel during the battle, while the aircraft carriers burned more than 4 million barrels of fuel.

Seven American battleships and 11 destroyers shelled Saipan and Tinian for 2 days before the landings, firing 15,000 16-inch and 5-inch shells at the islands along with 165,000 other shells of other caliber. To even begin to comprehend the magnitude of this onslaught, one needs to realize that a single 16-inch round weighs slightly more than a Volkswagen Beetle, besides being packed with high explosives. On the second day of the bombardment, this force was joined by 8 more battleships, 6 heavy cruisers and 5 light cruisers. The islands were ringed by American warships with their guns blazing. Shells rained down on the island, its villages, inhabitants, and defenders, gouging huge craters in the sand and coral. The earth trembled under the tremendous explosions of naval bombardment and simultaneous air attacks.

The main invasion force landed along 4 miles of beach at Chalan Kanoa. Twenty-eight U. S. tanks were destroyed the first day alone. The Japanese positioned colored flags in the lagoon to mark the range of the landing force and to register their howitzers on the invaders from locations behind Mount Fina Susu, and their shell fire rained down on the advancing American force every 15 seconds in a deadly cauldron of exploding steel. By nightfall of the first day, the Second Marine Division had sustained 2,000 casualties. The fighting continued until July 9th, when organized resistance on Saipan ceased. When the fighting ended, American losses on Saipan were double those suffered on Guadalcanal. Of the 71,034 U. S. troops landed on Saipan, 3,100 were killed, 13,100 wounded or missing in action. Out of the 31,629 Japanese on Saipan, approximately 29,500 died as a result of the fighting, and only 2,100 prisoners survived. Fighting between the Japanese and the Americans was by no means completely mechanized; while ships, aircraft, artillery, and tanks inflicted the largest amount of damage to the combatants, a great deal of the fighting was hand-to-hand. Besides machine guns, flame throwers, rifles, and pistols, deadly skirmishes were fought with bayonets, swords, bamboo spears, clubs, stones and fists.

The ratio of battle dead was 9.5:1 during the 24 days of fighting. Place names given the rugged Saipan terrain such as Death Valley, Purple Heart Ridge and Harakiri Gulch testified to the bitter fighting. One of the most lamentable events of the battle for Saipan involved the mass suicide of hundreds of families, many of whom jumped to their deaths from the high cliffs at the island's northernmost point. This tragic event could not be stopped, despite efforts by Americans and indigenous Saipanese using loudspeakers to try to convince the Japanese that surrender would be shameless and harmless.

Saipan provided the United States military with its first opportunity to learn about military occupation of enemy territory with a Japanese civilian population. Civilians encountered during the period of the battle and afterward, while emergency conditions still prevailed, were placed in secure camps to keep them out of the way of the fighting. Thus assembled, the U.S. military could better meet their basic needs for food, clothing, shelter and medical care. Schools were established as soon as conditions permitted. In September, 1945, the camps housed 13,954 Japanese, 1,411 Koreans, 2,966 Chamorros and 1,025 Carolinians. Contained within a two square mile area near Lake Susupe, the compounds were primitive and only the bare necessities were available. Weathered boards, tattered tents and battered tin sheets from the island's bombed-out sugar refinery provided the only shelter from the weather. Each hut (han) accommodated from 20 to 55 people. After the fighting, families were released from Camp Susupe during the day to cultivate vegetables, as food was scarce. Food production was increased from 79,469 pounds of produce in September, 1944 to 286,029 pounds in September, 1945. The camp also had a makeshift Buddhist temple, where Shinto religious ceremonies were held. Release from these camps is celebrated as "Liberation Day" by inhabitants of Saipan to this day on the 4th of July. The Japanese on Saipan had a high birth rate - about 300 babies per 1,000 women aged 15 to 45 - and there were many orphans in the camps who were attended and raised by Japanese nurses. Most of these were the children of Japanese parents who had killed themselves during the mass suicide.

After the capture of Saipan, the fighting continued elsewhere in the Pacific for another 13 months. Camps on Tinian were constructed to house 50,000 U.S. troops and 1.2 million pounds of crops were produced, all of which were consumed on the island. On August 6, 1945, an American Superfortress flying from Tinian dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, hastening Japan's capitulation. The war formally ended with Japan's surrender on August 15, 1945. The final surrender on the island of Saipan did not take place, however, until December 1, 1945, when Japanese Army Captain Sakeo Oba, who had continued to hold out in the mountains with 46 men as a guerrilla force, surrendered his Samurai sword to Major Herman Lewis and Colonel Scott, USMC.

About 90 percent of the civilian population on Saipan survived the war. These included Koreans, Okinawans, and Japanese who were subsequently repatriated to their respective homelands. As recorded on December 31, 1949, the indigenous population of Saipan was 6,225. In 1937 23,658 persons had inhabited Saipan (4,145 were indigenous).

Today, what little World War Two equipment remains after being collected and sold for scrap after the war is protected by law because of its historical value. Lying below the surface of a lagoon once congested with landing craft and ships of all type are the coral encrusted tools of war. Rifles, helmets, bullets, tanks, ships and landing craft litter the sandy lagoon floor as if in an underwater time capsule in silent testimony to one of the last battles fought in a pre-nuclear age. More than fifty years after the invasion, unexploded live ordnance still poses a very real danger to the unwary diver or souvenir hunter.

Four Marines received the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Battle of Saipan. Each lost his life in the action for which he was honored. The four were: Gunnery Sergeant Robert H. McCard, 4th Tank Battalion; Sergeant Grant F. Timmerman, 2nd Tank Battalion; Private First Class Harold G. Agerholm, 4th Battalion, 10th Marines, 2nd Marine Division; Private First Class Harold G. Epperson, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division. Gunnery Sergeant McCard, a native of Syracuse, NY, single-handedly covered the escape of his crew from a disabled tank. He faced the fire of a battery of anti-tank guns with hand grenades and a machine gun. Sergeant Timmerman, who came to the Marine Corps from Americus, KS, threw himself across an open tank hatch to protect his crew from an enemy grenade. PFC Agerholm disregarded heavy enemy fire and personally evacuated 45 wounded Marines during an enemy attack on an artillery position. Agerholm, a native of Racine, WI, was killed by a sniper as he tried to help two other wounded men. PFC Epperson of Akron, OH, threw himself on a hand grenade, which landed in his machine gun position during an enemy attack. His action saved the rest of his gun crew. (http://www.navysite.de/ships/lha2about.htm)

Fanmatto' Manheñgge (Adeste Fidelis/O Come All Ye Faithful)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 02:19:00 +0000

This is not a direct translation from the English "O Come All Ye Faithful" but this is the Chamorro version sung during Christmastime and in the same melody. Andrea Bocelli's "Adeste Fideles" is posted for now until someone posts the Chamorro version by Johnny Sablan :P A belated Felis Nabidat para todos hamyo!

Fanmatto' Manheñgge
Fata i minagof
Fanmatto, fanmatto giya Belen.

Atan i Patgon,
Rai Anghet siha;
Tañgiñgi ta'adora,
Tañgiñgi ta'adora,
Tañgiñgi ta'adora,
Si Jesus.

Ilek-ña i anghet nu i pastot siha,
Estague i Kristo giya Belen,
Gi sagan gaga, chatsaga, taigima
Tañgiñgi ta'adora,
Tañgiñgi ta'adora,
Tañgiñgi ta'adora,
Si Jesus.

I malak na ina, Lahen Yu'us Tata,
Humuyong sen Taotao achaiguata.
O yiniusan Dikiki na Patgon.
Tañgiñgi ta'adora,
Tañgiñgi ta'adora,
Tañgiñgi ta'adora,
Si Jesus.

Malañgo i taotao, ti amtiyon esta,
lao matto si Yu'us ni Yoamte.
Guiya i amot nahomlo yan mames.
Tañgiñgi ta'adora,
Tañgiñgi ta'adora,
Tañgiñgi ta'adora,
Si Jesus.

Representative Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan Congratulating Chamorro Soldier on Massachusetts Outstanding Woman Veteran of the Year Award (2009)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 02:07:00 +0000

eTecha - The First Chamorro Online Rosary

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:45:00 +0000

Since this is Kuaresma, we've decided to give an extra helping hand in offering the first, full Chamorro Lisayo online with audio and text. If some of you have never heard one or want to learn how to say it, this should prove to be an excellent guide. In any case, hearing spoken Chamorro and reading the text is beneficial to those looking to improve upon their knowledge base. Si Yu'us Ma'ase!

Chiefs: Ben Blaz discussing Chief Gadao

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:03:00 +0000

Check out more videos at: http://www.bisitaguam.com/menu.html

For more information about Gadao's Cave, visit: http://www.pacificworlds.com/guam/stories/story1.cfm

Sinisa yan Kuaresma - Ash Wednesday and Lent

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 07:12:00 +0000

As many of you may or may not know, the majority of Chamorros are Roman Catholic. Wednesday was Sinisa which marks the start of Kuaresma. On Sinisa, you have your penitensia to carry out and of course munga makanno katne an Betnes! Ayunat is required for the more able bodied and healthy while those who have health issues are exempt from doing so. Throughout this season of Kuaresma, we look forward to Semana Santa. This starts with Ramos and it's suggested not to eat meat at all throughout the week. However, I am going to decline doing so as both a devout carnivore and having become anemic from just a few weeks without katne the year before :P Guihan just didn't cut it. Semana Santa starts to wrap up with Huebes Santo, which includes the washing of the feet ceremony at the Santa Misa. Followed by Huebes Santo is Betnes Santo, Sabalun Loria, and finally Pasgua. More information about these special days will be posted when the time comes and until then, keep up that penitensia!

Sinisa - Ash Wednesday
Kuaresma - Lent

Penitensia (Penance) - Giving up something for Lent
Ayunat - Fasting
Munga makanno katne an Betnes - Don’t eat meat on Fridays

Guihan - Fish

Katne - Meat

Santa Misa - Holy Mass
Semana Santa - Holy Week
Ramos - Palm Sunday
Huebes Santo - Shroud Thursday
Betnes Santo - Good Friday
Sabalun Loria - Holy Saturday
Pasgua - Easter

Veterans - I Beteranu Siha

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:47:00 +0000

Ti malagu yu mapedde nu este na gerra, tampoku hao.

I don't want to lose this war, and neither do you.

Todo siha ayu i ti magerra, taya tiningo-ñiha i mina'añao.

Those who haven't been to war, have no idea how horrible it is.

Munga ma ekunguk todo siha i masasangan na asunto.

Don't listen to everything the media tells you.

Todo siha i tumunan manmaisa siha put todo "i minagahet," puru ha dinagi.

Those who call themselves "the truth" are usually full of shit.

Supotta i sindalun-ta siha.

Support the troops.

Yu'us bendisi i sindalun mami siha.

God bless our troops.

Lameta i korason-hu esta gaige giya Iraq.

Half of my heart is in Iraq.

I lahi-hu gaige giya Iraq.

My son is in Iraq.

I haga-hu gaige giya Afghanistan.

My daughter is in Afghanistan.

I VA debi di u ayuda i beteranu siha.

The VA should be helping veterans.

Todo i taotao mantrankilo manmaigu gi puengge sa mangaige i sindalu siha malisto para u ma protehi hafa na achaki.

People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.

Yanggin taya hao ni gumerra, fa'tinas i fabot yan huchom i pachot-mu.

If you haven't been in combat, do us all a favor and shut up.

Debi di u guaha respeto para i manmatai siha.

Have respect for the dead.

**Special note: Thanks to Ms. Blas for catching the typo!!!

Felis Año Nuebo! - Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 07:13:00 +0000

Para i Chamorro Language & Culture site, hu ekstetende un dangkolo na si Yu’us ma’ase todos hamyo guini ni man gaige nu i suppottasion, i bendision, yan i botun konfiansa. Felis 2009!

Felis Nabidat - Merry Christmas 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 01:52:00 +0000

Salmo 96 1-3, 11-13
1 O kantaye si Jeova ni i nuebo na kanta! Kantaye si Jeova, todo i tano!
2 Kantaye si Jeova, bendise i na'an-ña! Fanmamanue ni i satbasion-ña ginen i ha'ane yan i ha'ane.
3 Sangan klaro i mina'lak-ña gi nasion siha ya i ninámanman-ña gi entalo todo i taotao siha!

11 Manmagof i langet siha, yan senmagof i tano! Ya i tasi palalangpang, yan i binila-ña.
12 Ya i fangualuan senmagof yan todo i mangaige gi sanhalom-ña: ayonae todo i trongko siha gi halomtano mangantapot i minagof.
13 Gi menan Jeova, sa guiya umamamaila; sa guiya umamamaila para uhusga i tano: uhusga i tano gi tininas, yan i taotao siha gi minagahet-ña.

Psalm 96 1-3, 11-13
1 Sing a new song to Yahweh! Sing to Yahweh, all the earth!
2 Sing to Yahweh, bless his name! Proclaim his salvation day after day,
3 declare his glory among the nations, his marvels to every people!

11 Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad! Let the sea thunder, and all it holds!
12 Let the countryside exult, and all that is in it, and all the trees of the forest cry out for joy,
13 at Yahweh's approach, for He is coming, coming to judge the earth; he will judge the world with saving justice, and the nations with constancy.

San Lukas 2:1-14
Luke 2:1-14
1 Ya susede na ayo siha na ha'ane, humuyong un bando ginen as Augusto Sesat, para todo i
tano na mataotague, na i na'an-ñiha ufanmatuge gi padron.
1 Now it happened that at this time Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be made of the whole inhabited world.
2 Este finenena na padron esta fumatinas, anae si Kirinius i magalahi giya Siria.
2 This census -- the first -- took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria,
3 ya manhanao todo i taotao para ninatuge i na'an-ñiha gi padron, kada uno gi siudaña.
3 and everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.
4 Ya humanao si José ginen Galilea, ginen un siuda na na'an-ña Nasaret, para ufalak Judea, gi siudan David, na mafana'an Belen, sa guiya i gima i familian David,
4 So Joseph set out from the town of Nazareth in Galilee for Judaea, to David's town called Bethlehem, since he was of David's House and line,
5 para ufanmatuge gi padron yan si Maria, asagua-ña umakamo yan guiya, anae estaba dangkulo sa mapotge,
5 in order to be registered together with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
6 Ya susede, anae gaige siha guihi, i ha'ani-ña ni para ufañago esta makumple;
6 Now it happened that, while they were there, the time came for her to have her child,
7 Ya mañago un lahi finenena na patgon; ya mabalutan ni i pañales, ya mana'ason ki kahon sakate; sa taya sagañiha gi gima.
7 and she gave birth to a son, her first-born. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the living-space.
8 Ya guaha pastot siha guihi na tano, na mañaga gi fangualuan, ya ha'adadahe i manadan kinilo gi puenge.
8 In the countryside close by there were shepherds out in the fields keeping guard over their sheep during the watches of the night.
9 Ya estagui i anghet i Señot tumotohge guiya siha; y minalak Yu'us haina gi oriya-ñiha; ya guaha dangkulo na mina'añao.
9 An angel of the Lord stood over them and the glory of the Lord shone round them. They were terrified,
10 Lao i anget ilek-ña nu siha, 'Chamiyo fanmaañao; sa, estagui, na huchule para hamyo maolek na sinangan dangkulo na minagof, para todo i taotao.
10 but the angel said, 'Do not be afraid. Look, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people.
11 Sa esta mafañago para hamyo gi siudan David, pago na ha'ane, un Satbadot, na guiya si Kristo i Señot.
11 Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
12 Ya este i señatmiyo: Inseda i patgon mabalutan ni i pañales, ya uma'ason gi kahon sakate.'
12 And here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.'
13 Ya ensegidas anok yan i anghet i linahyan i sendalo gi langet, na manmantutuna as Yu'us, ya ilek-ñija:
13 And all at once with the angel there was a great throng of the hosts of heaven, praising God with the words:
14 Mina'lak gi i Geftakilo as Yu'us, ya i tano pas gi entalo taotao ni i minagof-ña dangkulo.
14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace for those he favours.

CNMI Tribute to Fallen Heroes

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 03:25:00 +0000

Na'gaige gi pas i todu mansendalun-ta

Support the Mariana Trench Marine Monument

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 06:46:00 +0000

Is this a good idea? Absolutely.

Not really understanding such opposition to such a great idea, but read on and shudder:
http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?newsID=84853&cat=1

But show your support right here:
http://marianamonument.blogspot.com/

Paddling between Saipan and Tinian

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 07:38:00 +0000

A Guam crew made up of 7 women and 2 men joined Saipan Outrigger Canoe Club in the channel crossing to Tinian. The crews stayed in Tinian overnight to celebrate the Tinian Fiesta and then paddled back to Saipan the next morning, 22 miles each way.

Ray Tenorio For Senator

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 04:06:00 +0000

We need more Chamorro videos with subtitles out there and this one in particular is very well done. There's a lot of talk on various boards and blogs about promoting the Chamorro language, but there's little being done in this regard. Let this be an example of what we need to be doing instead of just talking about endlessly.

Guam

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:09:00 +0000

Stunning videography...

Techa - Traditional Prayer Leader

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 30 May 2008 06:38:00 +0000

By Dominica M. Tolentino, M.A.

A ministerial roleIn the Mariana Islands, the techa is the traditional prayer leader who directs and recites the prayers and hymns for various religious activities within the Catholic Church, including rosaries or lisayo, novenas or nobena, and other devotions and special occasions.
The word techa comes from the Chamorro verb tucha, which is translated as “to recite out loud,” or “to lead or start a prayer.” To be recognized as a techa, though, one must demonstrate the ability and confidence to direct others through the different prayer rituals as well as be accepted officially by the parish pastor and faith community. The techa, however, is not an ordained position within the Catholic Church, but rather, is seen as “an extension of the ministerial role of the parish priest or pastor”. Like a priest, the techa is committed to a life of service and a promise to lead prayers upon request.

Although most techas are senior women, the role is not limited to them, and indeed, there are a small number of men who are techas. But the majority of techas has been and are women, and because of this, it is largely perceived as a “woman’s role.” In addition, there are families of techas, whereby younger female relatives — usually eldest daughters or interested individuals — are trained to become prayer leaders through practice and encouragement.

Musical interchangePerhaps the most distinctive feature of the more traditional image of a techa is the style of prayerful recitation, which is often characterized by high-pitched nasal, virtually monotonous vocalizations, and a fairly rapid but steady pace that the congregation must follow in order to respond appropriately. What is heard is an almost musical interchange between the techa and the congregation as she solemnly leads the prayers phrase by phrase, and the people reply in turn. A skilled techa is able to keep this rhythm while successfully directing the others through a meaningful experience of prayer.

A techa generally carries out her role without set fees, but when she is called upon to lead, she is usually compensated for her services either with gifts of food or money. The amount is often left to the discretion of the family she is helping, but presumably it is based on the level of esteem the family may have for the particular techa, and the number of days the family has availed the techa of her services.

The money for the prayer leader is represented as a portion of the chenchule’ or ika’, which are reciprocal gifts of money, support or assistance that are given in the event of a death or other occasion to defray expenses. Some prayer leaders choose to donate a portion or all of the money she receives back to the parish church. A highly regarded techa may receive continued accolades and gifts of prayers and thanks from the community when she dies, in honor of her prior service to them as a prayer leader.

Likened to traditional chantingThe origin of the techa has never been extensively documented. However, it is generally accepted as a role that extends at least as far back as the Spanish occupation of the island, perhaps even further. Indeed, the characteristic monotonous nasal style by which a techa recites prayers, especially in the repetition of phrases in the rosary and the litanies, has been likened to the traditional chanting and weeping described in ancient Chamorro funeral practices.
Perhaps it can never be known what is the true origin for the role of the techa, but it is a role that continues in Chamorro culture because it effectively fulfills the needs of the Catholic faith community.

Excellent Article on American Colonialism and Chamorro Women in Medicine

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 28 May 2008 22:39:00 +0000

Below is an excerpt of an article from History Cooperative by Anne Perez Hattori. To read more, visit: http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/hah/8.1/hattori.html

"Histories note the conspicuous role of women as healers, particularly in the production of herbal medicines and the field of midwifery. One French account from the 1800s, in fact, claims that the production of medicines was 'the province of women.' American anthropologist Laura Thompson, in her 1940 publication Guam and its People, contributes to this analysis, indicating that in the capital village of Hagåtña the suruhana consisted 'mainly of women over fifty.' Yet pre- and early-colonial historical sources are thus far silent on what might actually be the single largest collective body of Chamorro women in the health profession—the midwives or pattera. Recently scholars such as Karen Cruz and Christine de Lisle, however, have begun the task of documenting their twentieth-century history."

Hattori, Anne Perez, 'The Cry of the Little People of Guam': American Colonialism, Medical Philanthropy, and the Susana Hospital for Chamorro Women, 1898-1941. Health and History 8.1 (2006): 41 pars. 28 May 2008 .

Foreign Loan-Words in Chamorro

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 27 May 2008 18:45:00 +0000

The Chamorro language over the course of hundreds of years of colonization and trade have led to a significant level of foreign influence on the indigenous language. This, in turn, has created a mixture of Spanish, German, Japanese, and English that have shaped the everyday vocabulary of Chamorro speakers. Below, you'll find the different origins of commonly used foreign words in Chamorro. Spanish, however, remains the most dominant of the outside influences.

Spanish Influence

Since the Spanish arrived in 1521, their language has proven to be the most influential to the Chamorro language, which created a nearly irreversible amount of loss to original Chamorro words. Their influence wasn't exactly welcomed to put it lightly, but the outcome was detrimental to the language nonetheless. Below are just a few examples of Spanish words that are either used in Chamorro or Chamorrocized Spanish terms used in everyday speech.

Examples:
SPANISH = RED
CHAMORRO = ORANGE

ESPIA/ESPIA
Spanish = to spy
Chamorro = to look for

LIBRO/LEPBLO = book
VERDE/BETDE = green
ESPEJO/ESPEHU = mirror
CUENTOS/KUENTOS = talk
CUANTO/KUANTO = how much?
PUERTA/POTTA = door
COBARDE/KOBATDE = coward
QUE HORA ES/KI ORA GENAO = what time is it?

and the list goes on...

English Influence

The English influence in the Marianas is most distinct on Guam. Guam tends to use loan words from English nowadays as Saipan tends to gravitate towards borrowing Japanese words.

For example, when I was going to school in Guam, A friend of mine from Agat argued that the word for "brown" in Chamorro was kulot bro-brown instead of kulot chukulati (Please, do not use kulot bro-brown, say it right!). I thought she was kidding, but she was serious without a doubt. There was no convincing her, but this was just one of many examples of Chamorrocized English.

Japanese Influence

Although the CNMI tends to borrow Japanese words, there are a few words most Chamorros on Guam or the CNMI will be able to recognize and use:

soba = soup (This Japanese word is actually borrowed from Portuguese)
zori = slippers (may sound like jori, depending where the speaker is from)

However, the CNMI does use Japanese words that some Guamanians don't regularly use:

chirigami = toilet paper
denki = flashlight

German Influence

The word morgen was mentioned in this essay by Peter Aldan as a greeting in Saipan, which can be traced to the German administration in the early 1900s. The word is derived from the German "Guten Morgen" or good morning. While there isn't a tremendous German influence in Chamorro, there are a few German surnames of Chamorro families.

Examples of German-Chamorro surnames:

Anderson
Bauer
Baumeister
Boyer
Hoffschneider
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