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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Page 2 | Guampedia Newsletter, November 2019
UOG Science Writing Project
In 2017, Guampedia began a partnership with the UOG Marine Lab to produce science-based entries about Guam by graduate students taking a course in Scientific Writing in a Masters of Biology or a Masters of Environmental Science programs. The student’s work is reviewed by their professor and turned over to Guampedia for final editing and review. This past month, we added five new science entries, bringing the total to 20 entries. These new additions cover a variety of topics from the role of balate’ in the marine ecosystem to the natural formation of the island’s caves and limestone structures. Read about these topics and more in our UOG Science Writing Project section.
1
2019 Science Entries Guam’s Amazing Caves Eliana Cortez Walker Guam’s Balate’ Lourdes Mafnas Fungus in Guam’s Forests Meghan Borja
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Limestone Forests of Guam Raymond Chargualaf & Monica Salas Coral Reefs: Essential Ecosystems on Guam Andrew McInnis
CHamoru Fiesta Table
(1) Balate’ or Sea Cucumber / Photo Courtesy of David Burdick, NOAA (2) Dive instructor teaching students about a coral colony / Photo Courtesy of David Burdick, Guam Reef Life
This Month In History
CHamoru Fiesta Table / Photo Courtesy of Peter (Sonny) Ada
Hints of the various cultures of peoples who have made Guam their home can be seen in every aspect of life on Guam. The influences of ethnic diversity are seen in architecture, language, religion and are also evident in the cuisine found in restaurants, homes, and on the fiesta table of today. While some dishes originated in the Mariana Islands, some can be traced back to various places throughout the world. People brought different plants and knowledge of food preparation to the island and their recipes were
adapted to what was available locally and to CHamoru tastes. The introduced recipes were then passed on to generations of CHamoru families, each including their own special and sometimes secret ingredients. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, your friends at Guampedia have just the thing for you. In addition to historical entries, Guampedia also uploads recipes of your fiesta table favorites. Read more about the history of the fiesta table and select recipes, available on Guampedia’s Fiesta Table Project.
A Pan American Clipper docked in Sumay / Courtesy of R.O.D. Sullivan
On November 22, 1935, the Pan American Airways plane known as the “China Clipper” took off from San Francisco, becoming the first commerical transpacific airmail service from the United States to the Philippines. The plane flew for 59 hours and 48 minutes, making stops in Hawai’i, Midway, Wake Island, and Guam before reaching its final destination in Manila. Read more here!!