CHamoru Resiliency via Inafa’maolek

The history of the people of Guam is one characterized by an unceasing resiliency in the face of over 300 years of near insurmountable odds. This history of resiliency comes into play, once again, as we face the COVID19 pandemic.

Despite being small in number, the people of Guam have survived foreign occupations, war, natural disasters, and epidemics with much of their traditional values and customs intact. This feat is due not only to the presence of key figures in CHamoru history, but more so to the values of inafa’maolek present in the CHamoru people as a whole.

June: A Time for Marriage

The union of two people through marriage has been practiced on Guam since ancient times.

Initially being a way to strengthen clan relationships and access to natural resources, CHamoru marital customs grew into a variety of meetings and celebrations.