Guampedia Newsletter, May 2020 | Page 5
limerick that appeared in the July 1, 1950 issue of Maclean’s magazine: A daring young lady of Guam Observed, “The Pacific’s so calm, I’ll swim out for a lark” She met a large shark. Let us now sing the Ninetieth Psalm. For some fun on Limerick Day, gather your coronavirus quarantine crew and make up your own Guam limericks. Need help getting started? Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing: There once was a man from Mangilao, … Tan Ana from Pulantat, Yona, … A young lad from Agat once said, …
Native forest birds of Guam: A few remain
Mariana Fruit Dove
The limestone and ravine forests of Guam have historically supported fourteen species of terrestrial birds. Two of these fourteen birds are endemic to Guam at the species level. Five bird species are endemic at the sub-species level. One of the endemic species is now extinct. Seven have been extirpated from the island. The loss of these birds is believed to be largely a result of habitat alteration and the effects of the introduced brown tree snake. Three species are still living in the wild. Three species are being held in captive breeding programs on Guam and zoos in the United States mainland. Others are found in the Northern Micronesian Mariana islands. Honeyeater Learn more about the native birds of Guam in this Guampedia entry.
Did you know CHamorus have their own tradition of humorous verse, called Kantan CHamorita? Learn more about it at Guampedia! May 16: • National Armed Forces Day was created in 1949 to celebrate and honor all five branches of the military: Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. May 18: • National No Dirty Dishes Day – What’s the #1 dish people order to avoid dirty their dishes? Pizza! Can you guess the rest of the Top 10? For the answers, go here. • Malojloj village fiesta for San Isidro May 19: • National Endangered Species Day – Here are three ways the whole family can celebrate National Endangered Species Day: • Every day, from May 11 to May 15, tune in to a live reading of a children’s book featuring endangered species at the Endangered Species Coalition’s Facebook page. Continued on Page 6
Micronesian Megapode
Fiestas: Spanish Catholics supplant ancient traditions In the long ago past, there were no fi’estas. What was practiced were gatherings of clans to celebrate special events such as harvesting of a good crop, clan contests, special village events to craft a canoe, a hut building, gupot åtof or just congregating to chant and dance, tell stories and legends, to give genealogy lessons, or just getting together to socialize and have fun. The Spanish Catholic missionaries introduced the system in which individual saints were honored and recognized on their patron feast date. This system was easily adapted into the CHamoru social celebrations at each village. It became an occasion to get together with families and friends from around the island to pray and celebrate. Today the villages celebrate particular saints who symbolize special powers. Many CHamorus are known for devotion to their patron saints. A nobena (special rosary) is held for nine days, culminating with the traditional village procession and festal masses. To learn more about Guam’s village fiestas, visit Guampedia here.
