Dinanna i Gima' Siha (Gathering of the Chamorro Dance Houses)

This was the finale performance at the:
11th Annual Chamorro Dance Competition and Festival
Dinanna Minagof
You'll see dancers in their costumes unique to their dance houses (Guma') performing under the direction of Master of Chamorro Dance, Frank Rabon. Also featuring Guma' from the CNMI (Sa'ipan and Tini'an), San Diego California, and Japan.
This also was the debut announcement of Inetnon i Manfafa'naguan Bailan Chamorro, The Tribal Council.
The tribal council "Inetnon I Manfafanaguen Bailan Chamorro" was iniated in 2010 by the first six traditional certified "Fafa'nague" to address the erosion of the Chamorro language and culture. The council felt the need to establish guidelines and consistency in the re-establishment of the Chamorro dance that began with Guma' Taotao Tano' in 1983. It was necessary to establish consistency in the presentation of the Chamorro dance most especially since Guam was called upon to send cultural representation at prestigious festivals throughout the world and prestigious local events such as: Festival of Pacific Arts, cultural festivals in Europe, Asia, Americas and Oceana, Guam Micronesian Island Fair, 1999 South Pacific Games ceremonies, 2000 Olympic Torch Lighting ceremony and 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Organic of Guam.
The recognized "Fafa'nague" members of the tribal council have become guardians of the Chamorro culture most especially the aspect of dance, song, chant and weaving, are frequently called upon by the community of Guam to showcase the Chamorro culture and instil the proper image of the people of the Marianas to our visitors, and educate the 4,000 year existence of the Chamorro people.
The recognition of the Tribal Council, certified "Fafa'nague" becomes more important as Guam prepares to host the 12th Festival of Pacific Arts in 2016, for the benefit of our visiting Pacific brothers and sisters where traditional practices and tribal laws are still prevalent to this day. The tribal council provides valuable guidance to our youth of today, and ensures that traditional practices are not completely lost.
Featuring Fafa'nague:
Master Eileen Meno - Guma' Irensian Taotao Tano'
Maga'haga Zina San Nicolas Ruiz - Guma' Taotao Tano'
Bobbie Tainatongo - Guma' Aniten i Taotao Tano'
Dana Kim - Guma' Taotao Lagu
Brian Terlaje - Guma' Rasan Acho' Latte
Arthur Pangelinan - Guma' Taotao Tano'
Ray Lujan - Guma' Nina'en Acho' Latte
Jonathan Perez - Guma' Ininan i Saina-Ta
Maxine Bigler - Guma' Aniten i Taotao Tano'
RosaLynn Aquiningoc - Guma' Irensian Taotao Tano'
Rosemary Mantanona - Guma' Imahan Taotao Tano' (San Diego)
Eric Reyes - Guma' Taotao Taga (Tini'an, CNMI)
Jonas Barcinas - Sa'ipan, CNMI
Other Group Leaders:
LJ Castro - Guma' Poksain Inatuas (Sa'ipan, CNMI)
Patrick Camacho - Guma' Fuetsan Chamoru-ta Tulu na Napu (Guam)
Asami San Nicolas - Guma' Taotao Kinahulo' Atdau na Tano' (Japan)
Kyoko Nakayama - Guma' Famagu'on Tano yan i Tasi (Japan)
Masako Nakagawa - Guma' Imahen Taotao i Latte (Japan)

[@anntaijeron4997]

Wow...even today, as the indigenous peoples of Guam remain ever so resilient to the ridicules, overtakes and destruction of other nations these past thousand years, we still have those who insist that Guam is "fake." However you wish to address us as a peoples, we continue to remain ever strengthened in our spirit, culture and yes, even joys of song and dance. As our ancestry was known for being a peaceful people, with song and dance, we continue to shine above all the ignorance, ridicule and mockery of those who attempt to strip away the spirit of the indigenous. Looking back at FestPac 1980, Guam's first entry to the nations of Cultural Arts, we came with fresh and renewed spirit, with fresh and renewed dance, fresh and renewed song. However it was generated, it is ours to claim, and ours to remain - no matter your ridicule, mockery and ignorance of the kind of peoples who've withstood the test of powerful nations, fighting amongst themselves to win this tiny island in the pacific to this day 2016, for the sole purpose of its gateway into the wide regions of this world. We were put where we were, with the resilience unrecognizable to mankind, and still today - we stand, ever faithful, ever strengthened, ever constant, because we sing, we dance. We are Inetnon Guahan. We are Guam. Thank you, Saikenkio Mahstar, thank you Ceira McMillan, thank you, ancestors, for giving us the song, the dance, the voice. Biba Guahan. Biba Guam. The spirits of our ancestors - through song, dance, and resilience - continue to live on in the hearts of the indigenous - then, now, and always.

[@lisamanalisai9507]

So beautifully expressed ❤

[@8eighton312]

Stealing polynesian culture

[@cams.3287]

Native dance of the Chamorro people was only vaguely described by early visitors to the Mariana Islands. The Jesuit annual report for 1669 to 1670 provides a rare description of a women’s dance. A group of twelve or thirteen women swayed their bodies in place, moving their hands in a pleasing rhythm. In their right hands they flourished some half-moons and in their left hands they held little boxes of shells and bells to keep rhythm. They accompanied their dance with singing in three-part harmony, including falsetto, led by a man in tenor voice. Their songs told of their history and “antiquities” (perhaps geneologies). Slapping rhythms and the combination of movements was described as very pleasing. The mention of half-moons and bells is not explained; and therefore it is not known if these were of recent importation since western contact or were locally produced. The description of dance costume and ornamentation is equally vague. The women wore fragrant flowers on their foreheads (perhaps garlands) and sometimes strings of red shells (possibly Spondylus) on which turtle shell or other trinkets were hung. They also girded their waists with these same highly-valued shells, and hung from them “small, well-formed coconuts” on strings made from tree roots. These skirts were more like a birdcage that revealed the body rather than covering it

[@fancynika8995]

Kam _ Chamorro dnt use grass skirts

[@pacificrules]

So just like these "dances", you made up this fake story to fit in.

[@faanengaaw7357]

dnt lie! i read a chamorro history book & took chamorro history & do recall any of that! fyi i passed the class both semesters.

[@oasainamaase6382]

pacificrules lmao this is online and is A HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION. why are yall so pressed ? as if you guys are actually doing anything to perpetuate or help further our culture. if you have problems why not get involved instead of sitting your lazy asses down and whining and harassing people behind computer screens. Bula Guinaiya, Bula Ma’asi Lai

[@oasainamaase6382]

Faanēngaaw Narruhn Nika Lmao my teacher taught us these FACTS. and its indeed real for it was documented by European whalers back in the 15-1600s before colonialism.

[@pasquanaisaac7920]

biba Guam love culture, coming from your neighbor Palau

[@lahenpontan90]

This was the one thing I wanted see. Thanks Rudy Bear :)

[@anissaacfalle7220]

Loved it!

[@palmtrees2664]

So when Guam makes up modern dances everyone hates on them but when Rapa Nui does it nobody talks shit hmmmm.

[@Jon-q4z]

right? people will overlook this and turn a blind eye to it tho 🙄 edit: they all need someone to hate on and apparently it's us

[@islander9800]

Beautiful

[@forme3h]

Beautiful! But the question is, is it authentic? I once saw it on a video that this old man, don't know his name, actually he said that Chamorro cultural dances are long gone and they had to collect every bit of pacific islands dances. Which is not bad, but they should've at least look to their micronesian cousins, like the Chuukese or the Carolinians, they might be the closest relatives with pretty much similar dances. Instead, they adopted polynesian dances.

[@microkosrae]

Actually they did... They combine micronesia and Polynesia into their dances

[@goodaimshield1115]

Chamorro cultural dances (not the native 15th century ones though), were very alive, till they decided to ignlre them and artificially "reconstruct" what some think it 15th cnetury dances may have looked like, neglecting the dances they had dance for the past 400 cenruries whoch were truly theirs and no one elses.

[@monalisa7954]

Actually they did look to other islands in Micronesia and did research. Chamorro cultural dances were almost lost due to hundreds of years of colonization from the Spaniards, Americans, and the Japanese. There were very little historical records about the Chamorro Cultural Dances. Native dance of the CHamoru people was only vaguely described by early visitors to the Mariana Islands. The Jesuit annual report for 1669 to 1670 provides a rare description of a women’s dance. A group of twelve or thirteen women swayed their bodies in place, moving their hands in a pleasing rhythm. In their right hands they flourished some half-moons and in their left hands they held little boxes of shells and bells to keep rhythm. They accompanied their dance with singing in three-part harmony, including falsetto, led by a man in tenor voice. Their songs told of their history and “antiquities” (perhaps geneologies). Slapping rhythms and the combination of movements was described as very pleasing. The mention of half-moons and bells is not explained; and therefore it is not known if these were of recent importation since western contact or were locally produced. The description of dance costume and ornamentation is equally vague. The women wore fragrant flowers on their foreheads (perhaps garlands) and sometimes strings of red shells (possibly Spondylus) on which turtle shell or other trinkets were hung. They also girded their waists with these same highly-valued shells, and hung from them “small, well-formed coconuts” on strings made from tree roots. These skirts were more like a birdcage that revealed the body rather than covering it. The next historical description of native dance was made by French explorer Louis Claude de Freycinet in 1819, specifically because he requested to see native dance. He was told that the dance was performed on great feast days, where men and women alternated in a circle. The person being honored stood in the center while they sang praises about him or her. By the time of Freycinet’s visit it is apparent that indigenous dance was being overshadowed by Spanish influences. He described a celebration organized by the Spanish governor based on the “dances of Montezuma” imported from Mexico. The dancers wore colorful, richly trimmed silk and satin costumes that were brought out only for this type of performance. He also described how the people of Hagåtña informally entertained them by having their children dance around a sombrero, the boy chasing the girl who coquettishly allowed him to kiss her cheek at the end.

[@caseyaguon6827]

@@goodaimshield1115 no we lost a lot of our dances during colonization we didn’t just reconstruct them

[@t.l5752]

@@uts4448are you implying Kiribati were influenced to shake their hips from Polynesians? There is Samoan admixture due to one clan from Samoa migrating there during ancient times. Tahitians and Hawaiians weren’t even born yet so not sure how Kiribati could’ve learned how to move their hips from them 😂.

[@kevindalalo5895]

I live in guam

[@kg9194]

Your so rude just becuase of there outfits doesn't mean you can judge them you do know Guam is one of the 14 best places in case of a fall

[@anniereyvolg9663]

Where the song name?

[@treverdotson5973]

I don't know whats the argument here but clearly what i see here is guamanian chamorros nit picking on other island cultural dances and combining it with there own. what is there own?? All these dances we see now are just interpretations of what they think it is. It's not far from reality as islanders on how we are so much alike but its not us as chamorus as we truly are. I was born and raised in saipan, with chamorro inheritance blood, language, cultural you name it!! running through my veins!! even clearer understanding that we are fortunate and unfortunate at the same time. Our ancestors did not leave behind any dances but just a few words thats so mixed up right now and methods of medicine, cooking and way of life. You say do your research?? i tell you this, if you wanna schedule your meeting? buy your ticket to where im from and we'll show you how we really are like, my great grandmother or my grandfather or older older family memebers never once mentioned these kind of dances because theres a reason! Our ancestors did not leave these things behind!! we have the northern most parts of the islands to get you deeper and realler to how shit is. If you cant reply in chamorro?guamains? and you better be clear when you say it cause even those things you guys are way off way way off when it comes to it. My next reply will be just that. Iets go

[@AMM0beatz]

Good effort, but Guam should reach out to Yapese, chuuk people.

[@marvinmartinez5439]

Dont disrespect my caulture

[@kavaniola479]

Marvin Martinez shut up ur people don’t have a culture anymore.

[@monalisa7954]

@@kavaniola479 They’re trying to revive Chamorro culture. You don’t tell him to shut up. His culture was almost lost due to colonization. What gives you that right to tell him to shut up and that he has no culture. They still have their language, that’s still culture.

[@randomgirlsproductions2037]

wats with you ppl being rude to the chamorro just because they have like the same style as polynesians doesn't mean you have to call the fake our cultures have some similarities ya' know

[@forme3h]

As a student who graduated with Pacific Studies from University of Hawaii, I don't think Chamoru and Polynesians have similarities. The only common thing is that we are all pacific islanders. I'm not trying to critisize this traditional performance, but your closesr relatives are the Carolinians and Chuukese.

[@randomgirlsproductions2037]

+FormEEh Ohyeah I'm Filipino

[@forme3h]

+RandomGirls Productions well, i was just responding to your comment. And thanks for standing up for the Chamoru.

[@randomgirlsproductions2037]

+FormEEh Ohyeah duh becuz I respect them

[@forme3h]

+RandomGirls Productions that's great....i respect every human beings.

[@unaiapaka1646]

Fancy Nika Are you serious? The Melanesians are the first people to sway their bodies and shake their hips? So all of Oceania has stolen from Melanesia because according to Fancy Nika those body movements started there. Where are you getting your information from? All the Austronesian Pacific Island people (Micronesia, Polynesia) originated from South East Asia so what is your point? Then you comment on Chamorro losing the "art of navigation" over a thousands years ago. Navigation was not lost by the Chamorro it was taken from them forcefully, and this happened a few hundred years ago not a thousand. Seems like you are grasping for reasons to hate, exaggerating to discredit, and making up disinformation. By the way this information is easy to find, I would say just as easy as posting ignorant BS on You Tube.

[@faanengaaw7357]

Unai Apaka ahahaha! i knw my history! tell me where els in the Pacific did Chamorros ever visited? nowhere! yesssss because they had no need to go other places thats why they lost it a thousand years ago!! then check out the Micronesians who were & are still riding the wind like they were!!

[@TheJollyjonathan]

Lol I’ve seen Fancy Nika on other videos about Guam. Him and Kona Bois Bang. They’re just haters. 😂 Nothing better to do but stay commenting on videos that have to do with Guam. Fancy Nika doesn’t even know what he’s talking about. Making claims without providing any factual information. He hasn’t even done his own research yet. If he did, he would know that his people came from the same place as us. Lol.

[@TheJollyjonathan]

Faanēngaaw Narruhn Nika Why are you going out of your way to be such a hater towards Chamorros? Who hurt you? A Chamorro?

[@faanengaaw7357]

TheJollyjonathan no one! its just funny how yall be stealing others culture to make it urs!! its real funny !! as a Pacific islander myself its pathetic!!! we all have our own culture!!! idk bout yall!! lmfao😂😂😂😂

[@TheJollyjonathan]

Faanēngaaw Narruhn Nika And as a Pacific Islander myself, a CHAMORRO, I can tell you that we definitely have our own culture and dances in Guam 😂 People are just trying to revive a culture from their own interpretation. Let them be. We have the Bailan Espanot, etc. Those dances represent Guam and the Mariana Islands well already. People are just looking for inspiration, not copying. That’s the difference. They aren’t authentic ancient Chamorro dances, but it’s a way for people to interpret history. Mind your own business and keep it moving. They’re not worried about you, so you shouldn’t be worried about them. Don’t hate. Just mind your own business.

[@kungeorge7002]

Fake

[@davejcamacho1957]

All fake, nothing authentic. The lost tribe.

[@anntaijeron4997]

God bless you, davejcamacho1957, despite your bitterness and disdain. :)

[@stmonson1]

Fuck u nerd

[@anntaijeron4997]

:-)

[@cams.3287]

Ignorance

[@zurieljoker8999]

All these people pressed because @davejcamacho1957 is telling the truth 😂