Sinahi/Kalang

I just finished carving this Sinahi/Kalang for someone and the following are its dimensions: Five inches in length and about two inches thick at the middle. It's a heavy piece.

This is the same Sinahi/Kalang at a different angle.

Same Sinahi/Kalang with my spondylus inlay signature prominantly visible.

Saina Ma'ase

"FIGO"

Haguet (Hook) Hima

Hook carved from the Tridacna Gigas (Giant Clam Shell) with designs. This hook will be flown to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Same Hook at a different angle

Haguet

Ancient Chamorro Religion

Veneration is the word when it comes to Ancient Chamorro Religion. This might come as a surprise to many present time Chamorro's but Ancient Chamorro's were never associated with the Catholic Religion. They believed in Ancestral Veneration. "Veneration is looking on with great respect and reverence. The respect the ancient Chamorros had for older people naturally led them to respect their ancestors. The spirit or soul was believed to be immortal. Death did not end a family member's concern for the welfare of the whole group. Death did not end the love and honor felt toward the ancestor. Ancestor veneration was just an extension of basic human relationship from this world to the supernatural" (Cunningham, 1992).

This veneration was practiced by praying to the Ante (Chamorro Ancestral Spirit) and by preserving ancestral skulls. In times of famine and warfare, the Chamorros would pray to their ancestral skull for help. Going back to the Catholic religion; plain and straight to the point: It was forced on the Chamorro people. I will discuss this in the near future..

...Sinahi

Dan rocking his Hima Sinahi.

...

Pagat taking out the cooked fish and sweet potato from the Chahan

Ben lifting the Chahan pig

The Chahan right before food is placed in it.

Chahan with food.

The contents of the Chahan includes: fishes, potatoes, bananas, taros, and a pig.

The Chahan with the final covering using banana leaves.

Gordon Jr.

4-6 hours later, the Chahan is opened.

...

Ben Sinahi-The Ancient Chamorro Way.

Ben demonstrating the art of grating a coconut with a Hima point.

Alas

The Legend

L-R: Ben Sinahi, Steve Mamis, and Baby Gord.

...work of Primo

Primo and I taking a break.

The Chahan being opened.

...Guahan Island Fair

PRIMO...a wood carver specializing in story boards. I will post a completed work from him in the near future.

A student conducts her interview for a school project.

James Aldan and I at Ypao

Steve Mamis preparing the Chahan.

...more pictures from the Guahan Island Fair

Ayuyu on display

Spondylus with the Kalangs

Artifact Sinahi/Kalang-artifact Kulu and Human Bone Spear Tips right below the sinahi.

FIGO

2010 Guahan Micronesia Island Fair

Gordon Jr. @ one of the traditional Chamorro hut. The art work before him was the creation of Ben Sinahi of Guahan.

Ancient Chamorro Artifacts-Sinahi/Kalang-Spondylus Money and Beads and more. This artifact display belongs to a Guahan Artist.

 A combination of contemporary Kalang with Artifacts on the right hand corner.

A display case filled with Ancient Chamorro Artifacts.

Songsong Chamorro at Ypao.

Sinahi and FIGO

FIGO and Blas/Viloria

Nifen Alu'u

Hima Sinahi

At a different angle

Nifen Alu'u (Shark Tooth) carved from the giant clam shell.

Same shark tooth at a different angle.

Flores (Flower) carved from the Trochus Shell.

At a different angle

Full white spondylus beaded with puka shells (Cone Shells)

Same necklace at a different angle

Saina Ma'asi para todu hamyu...

FIGO

More Hima Sinahi/Kalang

One of my favorite pieces that will not be for sale. It measure from the left hand to the right a little bit over 31/2" and a little bit over 11/2" thick at the middle. As usual, my orange spondylus inlay signature is very prominent on the top portion of the sinahi.

Same Sinahi (top view)

Side view of the same Sinahi

The angle that makes this Sinahi looks chododo.

This Sinahi is approximately 4" in length and a little over 1" thick at the middle.

Same Sinahi (Side View)

Top View

This Sinahi is 3 1/2" in length and a little over 1" thick at the middle.

Side View of the same Sinahi with the signature.

Thank you to all that appreciate the Ancient Chamorro Culture, Custom, and Traditions. More Chamorro Jewelries will be uploaded as soon as time permits.

Saina Ma'ase

Gordon "FIGO" Salas