Praying the rosary / Photo Courtesy of Jen Crisostomo
Procession to the cemetery in Humatak / Photo Courtesy of Manny Crisostomo
Traditional bela / Photo Courtesy of Mark Borja Lord
CHamoru Burial Customs
In CHamoru culture, the commemoration and celebration of death, or finai tai, is both a happy and sad occasion. It provides an opportinutiy for family and friends to gather together and pray for the individual’s soul as well as to offer comfort and solace, fulfilling traditional reciprocal obligations. The more contemporary traditional ritual for deaths in CHamoru society is comprised of
three parts: the bela (wake or vigil), the funeral, and the burial. The bela is the time of public visitation and viewing of the embalmed body of the deceased by friends and family. Traditionally the bela was held overnight into the following day just before the burial. Nowadays, the bela is held in the church, with the viewing occurring right before the Mass.
At this time, the rosary is prayed, and the deceased’s family receives the line of visitors who come to pay their respects. Often, visitors will give monetary gifts meant to help the family defray burial costs as well as to fulfill obligations of reciprocity called ika’ or chenchule. Click to learn more about CHamoru burial customs and traditions.
CNMI Citizenship Day On November 3, 1986, US President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation approving the constitution of the Northern Mariana Islands. This quest for NMI citizenship and autonomy began on February 24, 1975, when the United States Congress voted
in favor of passing Joint House Resolution 549, a bill allowing the establishment of the commonwealth. To learn more about the CNMI and other Pacific Islands, check out our section on People of Pacific Official flag of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands / Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia Cultures.
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