Replicated Artifact Sinahi found on Tinian by Mr. Franklin Mundo

 

Chamorro Chiefs

In a series of posting, I will be sharing the research of my former and late Chamorro teacher from John F. Kennedy High School (Guahan), Mr. Eddie Benavente. 

 Maga'Lahi Ka'isa

Maga'lahi Ka'isa was a respected leader in Sungharon, on the island of Tinian. According to history, it was Ka'isa and other Maga'lahis of Tinian who first declared that they would fight for their freedom against the Spaniards. In his letter of December 28, 1669, Father Diego Luis de San Vitores referred to Ka'isa as a "bad thief." (According to translation, "thief" is really a play words used then by missionaries in referring to natives of the Ladrones, which actually means, "bad native." Ka'isa led his people in many battles to defend their homeland. In one encounter, they drove the Spaniards out of Tinian, feeling to Guahan. The Spaniards, however, responded with repeated enforcement. Ultimately, the sophisticated weaponry of the Spaniards weakened Ka'isa and his people. In 1684, during their last stand to defend their island, a fully armed armada was sent to Tinian. It was then that the great leader Ka'isa knew that he had to make a decision -- either fight to the finish, or surrender. In order to save his exhausted warriors, the elderly and particularly the many women and children, Ka'isa chose the latter. The Spaniards knew that it would be dangerous to keep Ka'isa alive, because of his great influence over his people. He was killed immediately.

Reference

Eddie L.G. Benavente (2007) I Manmaga'lahi yan I 

    Manma'gas; Geran Chamorro Yan Espanot (1668-1695) 

Artifact Sinahi

Saina Ma'ase

To everyone that visited my booth at the Flame Tree Arts Festival, Thank You!

Saina Ma'ase,

FIGO

32nd CNMI FLAME TREE ARTS FESTIVAL

Magofli'e' yan Hafa Adai to all:

I know I said to stay tuned just about a year ago this month lol. My apologies.

Anyway, I wanted to invite everyone that is on-island and off-island to come down to the Flame Tree Arts Festival on April 19, 20, & 21 to be held in the Ancient Chamorro Village of Catanhuda today known as Civic Center. Bring the whole family and if you have time to spare, visit me at my booth A-37-Gordon "FIGO" Salas. I will have some Sinahi/Kalang available for sale. I will also be taking limited orders from anyone interested.

In addition to that, I am very honored and humbled that the 26th Annual Guahan Micronesian Island Fair have chosen to use one of my Sinahi carvings on its poster. Dangkulu na Saina Ma'ase Guahan. Hu Guaiya Hao!

Below is the Guahan Island Fair Poster.

FIGO

Stay tuned

Magofli-i yan Hafa Adai para todu hamyu.

Stay tuned for updates.

Saina Ma'ase,

Gordon "FIGO" Salas

KALANG

The above Kalang/Sinahi is now owned by Lynyrd Lizama Puyat of Seattle, WA. It's dimension are 5-3/4" in length and 1-1/2" thick at the middle so it's a massive piece and the owner wears it proudly. In addition to the Hima Kalang pendant, it is fully laced with spondylus beads. As usual, my spondylus inlay signature is placed prominently on the Kalang. Saina Ma'ase for repesenting Chelu. 

Gordon "FIGO" Salas

Ancient Chamorro Fishing Method

Hafa Adai para todu hamyu:

It has been a while since I've blogged and I have my reasons. First of all, I will be posting more art pics in the coming future but for the mean time, I want to share the followng Ancient Chamorro fishing methods and a brief description of each:

1. Mano'cho': This is a method in which fish(es) are caught by hand.

2. Lalagu: In ancient times, mostly women used this method by which feeling with your bare hands along the rocks and crevices. When using this method and when one does catch a fish, one must immediately bite the fish(es) head in order to expire it.

Note: When I was in the hills of Yona in the beautiful island of Guahan, I used this method to catch Uhang (fresh water shrimp). With that in mind, I must state the obvious, one is always in imminent danger of grabbing a hold of an asuli (fresh water eel) instead of the intended target.

3. Umefohmo': This is another fishing method used by the beautiful Chamorrita of times passed but not forgotten. The Chamorrota would put a pile of rocks in a woven basket and place it near other rocks in the reef. By doing so, fishes are tricked into thinking that the rocks are a safe place to hide. The Chamorrita would then remove the rocks slowly to cath the fishes in the basket full of rock. Who said ancient Chamorros had no logic and a sound analysis.

4. Ka'tokcha: This method of fishing utilizes the fisga. The ancient Chamorro would stand in shallow water and patiently wait for their target. Once the target has been aquired, he threw the fisga. Remember the light refraction takes place during this process. It's amazing how intelligent the ancient Chamorro's were.

5. Peskan Sumulo': Peska means to hunt if on land and fish when in the ocean and Sulo' is a torch. Yes, it basically means torch fishing at night. In order to utilize this method, one must collect dried coconut leaves and the coconut gunot; wrap in a piece of would and light it. As you may have guessed, the light from the sulo attracted the fishes just as in using the light to attract the Atulai when night fishing today.

6. Etokcha': This method is the modern day equivalent to spear fishing.

7. Guasa': For this method, the ancient Chamorro used poison by means of harvesting the fishes. This is illegal today so please refrain from using poisons. So for everyone out there, no derris or puteng.

8. Gigao: This method is a rock barrier within the reef; if lowtide(ma'ti) sets in, some fishes are left in the rock barrier. All one needs to do is collect. Another superb fishing method.

The above are just some of the fishing methods used by the ancient chamorros.

Saina Ma'ase,

Gordon "FIGO" Salas