Chamorro group holds ‘Pagat’ rite

ROTA—The National Chamorro Association of the Mariana Islands Inc., a non-profit corporation whose mission is to protect, promote, preserve and perpetuate the language, culture and traditions of all Chamorros in the Marianas, including Guam and all over the world, held their official membership induction ceremony on Nov. 22, 2006, at the Mochong Ancient Latte site.

“We are in search of the lost Chamorro city and the bottom line is the revival of the ancient Chamorro language, culture and traditions so that we can link it to economic development in today’s information age,” said Glenn H. Manglona, known in the organization as “Amaga.”

“But first, the members of the organization, must pay due respect and seek permission from our ancestors—[I]‘Guelu’ yan Guela’[/I] at the Ancient Latte site at Mochong, Rota,” Manglona said.

A [I]Pagat[/I] ceremony was held at the site. [I]Pagat[/I] is an ancient Chamorro term meaning “induction or advisement.” Members of the organization were present to take part in the [I]Pagat[/I] ceremony. The members adopted their own Chamorro names during the Pagat ceremony. In addition, the Rota [I]man’amko[/I] was present to witness the induction of members and their “Kalang” (Chamorro pendant). Some of the Rota [I]man’amko[/I] had their personal jewelry placed atop the latte to be included in the Pagat ceremony.

The National Chamorro Association of the Mariana Islands, Inc. is headquartered on Rota. Manglona said this is because Rota is the “guardian and the last bastion of the Chamorro” that is still intact to this day.

A chapter organization on Tinian has also been established on Nov. 24, 2006. The president of the Tinian chapter is Deborah Fleming and secretary/treasurer is Lucia Blanco-Maratita. Plans to have a [I]Pagat[/I] ceremony on the island of Tinian at Taga House are still being arranged by the Tinian chapter. Anyone who is at least one-fourth Chamorro blood may become a member. To become a member of Tinian chapter, contact Fleming at M&F store or Blanco-Maratita.

“A chapter organization is also being planned for Saipan in the coming weeks and maybe in the future, in Hawaii and U.S. mainland,” said Manglona. “The Saipan chapter will also have its own officers—president, vice president, etc. After our organization is complete, this body will have a dialogue with our Chamorro brothers and sisters in Guam as to how best we can revive our Chamorro language, culture, [and] tradition for our future generation.”

An example of how this organization is practicing its culture is the adoption of a Chamorro name like Guelu’ Fadang. When a child asks, “What is Fadang?” Guelu’ Fadang must explain to the child what it means. Such an explanation constitutes a lesson. Therefore, the Chamorro language, culture and tradition is protected, promoted and preserved.

Other plans of the organization are to seek collaborative working arrangement with each municipality in order to revive the “Chamorro Village Concept” on Rota, Tinian and Saipan.

In addition, the association is currently putting together a grant application under the ANA. Part of the organization’s plan is to develop a documentary of what happened during the natives’ first encounter with the Spaniards, from the perspective of the native Chamorros.

“We also plan to seek assistance from the 15th Legislature to create a special law that allows the issuance of an official seal called ‘Authentic Chamorro Product.’ By having this seal, the arts and crafts produced by our local Chamorro artist will have more value because it has gone through the [I]Pagat[/I] ceremony and is blessed by our Guelu’ and Guela’,” said Manglona.

To join the National Chamorro Association of the Mariana Islands Inc., contact the Amaga [Manglona] at amagaluta@hotmail.com. (PR)