The Chamorro way...

Gordon Jr. pointing at a latte cap that was being carved by the Ancient Chamorro's. This latte cap or tasa was not finished. However, it was at the last stage of carving. My ancestors probably did not finished the carving of the tasa in order to fight the oppressor(s). By this, I mean the Spaniards who came to our land and enslaved my people; forced their religion on my people, and killed my people.

The tasa close up. I named it, "Tasan Agingan".

Gordon Jr. with his sade', higam alutong, and sinahi.

Heading over to Tasan Agingan.

Talaya fishing at Agingan.

Scanning for the school of fishes.

The deliverance of the talaya.

The collection of the talaya

The conclusion of the talaya fishing.

The beginning of the cutting process of the hima shell.

Same hima shell.

FIGO

Sa'ipan bear paw giant clam shell

As promised on a previous post, here are the bear paw giant clam shell obtained right here in Sa'ipan. To the left is a small bear paw in fairly good and recognizable condition. However, the one on the right has gone through the elements and is massively deteriorated. I will be carving more sinahi from the right bear paw.

Same bear paw at a different angle.

At this angle, the bear paw is laid on its back as illustrated with the smaller version to your left.

Another bear paw giant clam that I cut in preparation for carving.

Another bear paw laid on it back showing massive deterioration. I hope the interior of this one is of good quality for another sinahi piece.

FIGO

Proud Chamorro

My son with Chamorro Alas; sinahi with spondylus beads, spondylus necklace, spondylus arm-band, sinahi bracelete w/ spondylus beads, and the kulu (Tritons Trumpet).

Same picture.

Traditional blowing of the Kulu.

Higam hima at hand with other Chamorro Alas.

Another angle.

Same picture.

Sporting a haguet carved from the tridacna shell.

Different angle.

Full frontal view of the haguet.

FIGO

Chamorro Artifacts

Spondylus beads faced down. The one to the far right is either being prepared for beads or inlay. A hole has not been drilled on this piece.

Spondylus bead artifacts and possibly a spondylus inlay

A closer view of the spondylus artifacts.

Slingstone artifacts.

Higam hima artifacts most of which are incomplete. At the bottom shows some of the broken off blade while the top shows the back side.

This one is tricky. My son and I found this on a previous beach combing. After careful examination, I am 100% sure it is a bead made from a clam shell. However, I do not know if it's an artifact or not. If it turns out that it's not, well it's a find worth posting.

Different angle.

Another angle.

Same bead as above.

Broken off gachai or higam alutong.

A boars tusk my son and I found on a previous beach combing.

This are just some of the things we found during our search for artifacts. At the center, is a spondylus that has a hole drilled through it.

My supply of boars tusks. These were procured from the northern islands.

My very own lusong. A part of my history right in front of my house in Agingan. Lusongs were usually made from volcanic rock, and were used to prepare food and medicine. Notice that this particular lusong is very deep and three more were being formed. The indentures are noticeable with this illustration.

Some ornaments in the front yard.

Supply of deer antlers ready for carving. These were procured from the island of Luta.

Latte Stone ornament in the front yard carved by my son Gordon Jr.

Tritons Trumpet; Kulu.

Ancient Chamorro Village drawn by Noel B. Quitugua.

Acrylic painting by Noel B. Quitugua

Haguet I carved from the giant clam shell with designs.

Same Haguet at a different angle.

Same haguet beaded with letter cone.

Same haguet at a different angle.

FIGO

Hima Latte Stone

Latte Stone pendant carved from the giant clam shell.

FIGO