Suruhåna, Suruhåno yan i Amot

"Directory of Traditional Healers and Medicinal Plants in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands"

By Manuel Flores Borja & Jose Somorang Roppul

"No law shall be made...prohibiting the traditional art of healing." From Article I, Section I of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. This is quite a profound statement that demonstrates a valuable component and deep respect of culture by embedding it within the supreme law of the land of the peoples'.

Although I have had this book for nearly a year, not long after it arrived, I loaned it out to a friend who was interested in it. So recently, it was returned and I have not quite finished reading it in detail, but did want to share with you the 47 names of people featured as a Suruhåna or Suruhåno in this book. Afterall, that is the main essence of the Chamorro Roots Genealogy Project – archiving names of those with Chamorro ancestry.

I am proud to say that Che'lu Noel Borja Quitugua, provided the design of the book cover. I must say that in the short time I have come to know Noel, I am quite inspired by his knowledge and efforts to help educate others and promote our culture.

This is an unusual and amazing book in so many ways of value and in addition to documenting part of our culture and history. It is translated in Carolinian, Chamorro and English. It contains oral history, many names and some with some genealogical information! Not all these people named are of Chamorro descent; however, this listing is inclusive and serves as a cross-reference for my genealogy notes.

This book also provided me more information about our connections and relationship with the Carolinians that have made our islands their home over the past few hundred years. It also contains some proverbs such as:

Chamorro: "Respeta I manåmko' sa' siha fondasion i lina'lå-ta."

Carolinian: "Awóór tuufey bwe iir lóngol malawasch."

English: "Respect the elders for they are the foundations of our lives."

I also didn't realize how many relatives through my Anderson lineage and within the Tudela branch, were traditional healers. This book was definitely calling out and talking to me!

FYI... As of this writing, I had extracted over 263 names and still counting!

Alphabetical List:

Coincidently, last week the Mina dos na Konferension Amot was held on Guam from January 2-4, 2014. Kudos to Ursula Herrera, Jessica Nangauta and the many others who made this event possible and sharing the information and pictures on FB.

Some additional reading information on-line regarding suruhånos and suruhånas (traditional healers and medicine):

Paula Brinkley. 1999. Use of Traditional and Alternative Medicine in Children on Guam, Volume 6, No. 2, pg. 168-177.

Chamorro Language & Culture. 2008. The difference between being a Suruhana, Le'an, and using Atgimat. Retrieved January 2, 2014 from: http://chamorrolanguage.blogspot.com/2008/04/difference-between-being-suruhana-lean.html

Hale'ta Series, Department of Chamorro Affairs, ' Suruhånu yan Amot: Healers and Medicine', referenced January 2, 2014, © 2009 Guampedia™, URL: http://guampedia.com/healers-and-medicine-suruhanu-yan-amot/

Påle Eric Forbes. 2012. More on Chamorro Medicine. From: http://paleric.blogspot.com/2012/09/more-on-chamorro-medicine.html

Guam Community College. 2013. The Medicine of the Ancient People (Chamorro Language video with English subtitles. Retrieved January 2, 2014 from: http://i-nasion-chamoru.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-medicine-of-ancient-people.html

Marilyn C. Salas, PhD, ' Ancient Chamorro Medicine Making', referenced January 2, 2014, © 2009 Guampedia™, URL: http://guampedia.com/ancient-chamorro-medicine-making/