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Earliest Recording of a Chamorro Family with Names
- Details
- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
From what we know today, the recording of names of the ancient Chamorro people, who referred to themselves as Taotao Håya, continues to remain very sparce. Beginning with European contact in 1521 and until 1602, it is very difficult to find any indigenous names within the literature available.
However, by 1602 one of the objectives of a group of Spanish ships was to stop by the Mariana Islands to retrieve shipwrecked survivors of the Santa Margarita. On board one of the visiting ships was Fray Juan Pobre who deserted his ship by jumping into a “canoe” of an unnamed native while the Spanish ships sailed away without him and another Friar.
Although Pobre’s excursion in the Mariana Islands was only for about seven months (March – October 1602), he made efforts to learn about the Taotao Håya and wrote about his encounters that were eventually transcribed. His 1602 recordings seems to be among the earliest, if not the first, to name an indigenous family with whom he had stayed with while in Luta (Rota, at the time was also called and recorded as Carpana [Zarpana] by the Spaniards).
This Taotao Håya manggåfa (family) consisted of Sunama, his wife Sosanbra, their “eldest son” Maripego, and two daughters: Marifoquez and Mominasaria. Unfortunately, the transcribed recordings of Pobre do not seem to indicate the name(s) and mention of how many other sons Sunama and Sosanbra may have had. This family resided in the village Tazga, Rota.
Reference:
Marjorie G. Driver. 1988. Fray Juan Pobre de Zamora: Hitherto unpublished accounts of his residence in the Mariana Islands, The Journal of Pacific History, 23:1, 86-94, DOI: 10.1080/00223348808572578.
1962: Guam Trade Fair
- Details
- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
In 1962, Anderson Air Force Base hosted the Guam Trade Fair. Several village Commissioners and volunteers collaborated on constructing a thatched-roof structure to house a display of Chamorro antiques and local produce for the Fair.
On the right is Enrique Naputi of Inarajan, who was schedule to demonstrate and play the Belembåutuyan also at the Fair.
1956: Joe Acfalle and His 220 Pound Gadao
- Details
- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
Meet Joe Acfalle and his 220 pound Gadao (Grouper) he caught near Cocos Island in 1956. Also featured in the photo were Garrido, Barcinas and Mata. Unfortunately their first names were not disclosed.
1957: All Island Women’s Softball League All-Stars
- Details
- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
Some of the women featured in the August 25, 1957 edition of the Territorial Sun for their All-Star selection were:
- Matilde Dungca, Shortstop
- Bobbie Fleming, Pitcher and league’s most valuable player
- Priscilla Tenorio, Third base
- Marilyn Bacle, Catcher
- Claudia Finley, Catcher
- Josefa Blas, Shortstop
- Les Box, Third base
- Marie Fejeran, First base
- Virginia Lujan, First base
1960: School Sisters of Notre Dame, Mequon, WI
- Details
- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
These five Chamorro ladies of the School Sisters of Notre Dame took their first vows at the SSND motherhouse, Mequon, Wisconsin. The following year they were being trained for the teaching profession at Notre Dame of the Lake.
From left to right they are:
- Sister Maria Juanita (Silvina Cruz, daughter of Mrs. Juana Cruz, Agat)
- Sister Mary Margarita (Romana Castro, daughter of M/M Ignacio P. Castro , Talofofo)
- Sister Mary Delphine (Bernadita Leon Guerrero, daughter of M/M Jose P. Leon Guerrero, Barrigada)
- Sister Mary Carmen Frances (Remedios Siguenza, daughter of M/M Jesus S. Siguenza, Sinajana)
- Sister Maria Magdalena (Julia Cruz, daughter of Juan B. Cruz, Yona)
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