Guam Chamorro Dance

[@gloryhallelujah160]

Damn! I came here to see some Chamoru dances, out of curiosity, look to the comment section, and read negative and derogatory remarks about the other culture. We're all of us islanders, and in order to preserve our traditions, and languages, we use dance as one method. No culture is inferior to any, and to state so, can only reflect on the individual. Let us focus on what we can pass down to future generations, and how we can save our land from the ever changing tides. Let us share, only what we can learn from each other, and strive to improve. Pacific islands and its people has always been a shining example of serenity, and let us show the world, the truth of that statement. - from a Palauan to my fellow islanders.

[@terrisimmers9004]

I left Guam way to soon before the cultural park was built and I am so proud of the Guam Chamorro cultural center. And there is a place to see this lovely dance and way of life.

[@rofinonative]

Half of you people commenting leaving negative rubbish under this awesome video collection of Chamorro culture/identity don't even know what you're talking about! If you have a comment to make about someone's culture make sure it's positive or at least try to say it in the most RESPECTFUL manner possible! And all these degrading of each others cultures/islands to be least significant to another's is just disgusting and embarrassing. Especially seeing Micronesians doing it to each other, that is NOT the Micronesian way, not even the island way!!!

[@mafuticamachile6291]

Chamorro didn’t dance like this. This is all stolen from other cultures I’m Chamorro and it’s embarrassing. All the old people from the cnmi laugh at how dumb you all are

[@waveriderz]

The words most similar to Philippine in the Chamorro language are one's adapted from Spanish. Translation and recording were most often done by Spanish in both places. Converting an oral language into a written one is complex, and when done by outsiders, leaves much to be desired. Quite a number of islands in the Pacific were colonized by foreign powers , infusing the indigenous language with some of its own. Many modern day inhabitants of these regions accept much of its current language as always being that way when it is not always the case. Not sure where you got your 60% from, however without more research I don't think you can make those assumptions.

[@AMM0beatz]

waveriderz I read and speak tagalog, and there are good amount of chamorro that are very similar to tagalog not just spanish.

[@micronesianculture6701]

AMM0beatz it’s called the austonesian language we are one people for crying out loud Indonesians Micronesian Polynesians Philippines and many more lands that speak the austonesian family’s language the only thing that separates us between pacific people and southeast Asians are the cultures also the pacific people are also big

[@micronesianculture6701]

AMM0beatz you do know that 90% of the people living on Guam are Filipino right? So yes the Chamorro learned a lot from the filipino language since the Spain colonization

[@sagittariusone2753]

I have seen quite a few hateful comments on KZbin whenever a Chamorro Cultural Dance video is shown. So rather than replying to each individual's negative/hateful comments..I choose to copy and paste my message wherever it needs to be posted. Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands have been influenced by Hispanic,Asian,American and other Islander cultures through the years,which is why you will see similarities with wherever you are from in Chamorro Culture today. The Original Chamorro Culture was lost during the Spanish Period which lasted over 300 years in the Marianas islands. In Chamorro Cultural Dance, i've seen Singing,Swaying of the hips,Hand Gestures,Chanting,People wearing Grass Skirts or Loin Cloth,Wearing Floral or Ornaments from the Ocean..And also Fire and Sticks is used on every Island as well..All this is common among the Pacific Islands of Micronesia,Polynesia and Melanesia.

[@luisdiego29]

Guan is an island which has a rich culture, mixture of root Chamorro, with Hispanic, Mexican, Filipino and North American...

[@waveriderz]

We all have our opinions. however i am sure we have more in common than we have differences. We are all people of the Pacific. In the same ocean and under the same sun. One of the most important things i learned from my elders is respect. Maybe just chill a minute and remember that?...peace

[@waveriderz]

@670rainman this is what's being taught whether you or i like it or not. Some of these groups use it as a way to promote language ,identity, & historical research. Is that a bad thing? Dances of many places have similarities and i don't know which ones are closest to what ""was". Migration to Polynesia occurred later than ours so knows exactly where things originated. Do you?They are not all the same.and are at least are making an effort. How does that cause us to lose our future generation?

[@waveriderz]

Guam was occupied by Spain for 300 years, however it's people existed long before the Spanish. Much description of attire was written by Spaniards at that point in time. No one really knows what they wore originally, however we still search for answers. Grass skirts & coconuts seems have been an influence of Chamoru dancers who have studied under Polynesians . Most Pacific islands have been influenced by others, and we all have some degree of ignorance, so no worry about criticism, seek answers.

[@waveriderz]

@rengelliz ...words to live by friend. We have much to preserve, and much to learn, from each other. Will arguing about things really help in moving us forward?

[@ssandoz]

I wondered why this looked like Hawaiian dance having lived in Kanehoe as kid. I really don't know what Chamorro dance looks like although I would assume their are elements of hispanic dance present. I would like to know more.

[@TheSpectacledOwl]

As a CNMI Chamorro/Chamoru, all I can see from these dances are MODERN influences from Polynesians, Tahitians, and Micronesians. The Polynesians have their Haka (Maori), Siva Tau (Samoan), Hula (Hawaiian), and other dances. Micronesians have their dances as well. The Chamorros...well, we have modern dances based off of other Pacific Islanders. We call them "Baila", which is SPANISH. In fact, one commenter called it "Bailan Españot" (which translates to SPANISH DANCE). Even the term for "song" (kanta) is of Spanish origin. Let's be honest. The Chamorro culture died a long time ago thanks to Spanish occupation. Here is a rough list of what the Chamorro/Chamoru have borrowed from other cultures since the Spanish era to the Modern era: Forenames (Numerous) Family names (Numerous with mostly Spanish) Numerical systems (Spanish) Days of the week (Spanish) Months of the year (Spanish) Cultural dances (Other Pacific Islanders) about 50% of "Chamorro/Chamoru" words in use today (Spanish) Musical styles (Mostly the American Country genre and other Western styles) CNMI National Anthem's melody (German, see "Im Schoensten Wiesengrunde") I suggest that the Chamorro/Chamoru people in the CNMI AND Guam/Guåhan look into hiring historians of dance (to discover what their cultural dances were), experts on Austronesian cultures (to understand how their culture truly was like), and linguists (in order to truly learn their native language). One last note..."*Chamorro" is actually a Spanish surname.

[@85darson]

My comments goes out to those who disrespect Micronesia region it seems like Chummoros are trying to hard to b similar to Polynesia when Caroline islands are closer to Polynesia then the marinas

[@uts4448]

Exactly. You don’t see the people from the Caroline islands dancing anything similar to Polynesians. And they’re more closer to Polynesia. The ONLY Micronesians that shake their hips is the people of Kiribati because they actually had close contact with the Polynesians in their history. The only time the Micronesians “hula” is at parties. It’s not traditional.

[@micronesianculture6701]

uts melasip nope but one thing we share to the Polynesians is the war cry cheeeeehooo can you explain where pohnpeians and CHUUKese get that from? Because only other islanders that I know who does that are Polynesians. can you also explain how pohnpeians drink kava like other Polynesians? Look I’m one proud Micronesian pohnpeian but I seen all these similarities I think Micronesians created Polynesia. We came from Taiwan to the Philippines and down to the pacific mixed with melanesians and later mixed with westerners like German Spain and japan

[@uts4448]

micronesian culture sorry. I thought you were talking about Polynesian dancing. I already know about all of that.

[@micronesianculture6701]

uts melasip their is a connection between polys and micros only our ancestors know we did came from the same place which is Taiwan

[@waveriderz]

@richyrik1 i wish it was that simple. Culture evolves over time as a response to events in it's history. As long as people interact with the outside world we will be influenced by it one way or another.My statement to you wasn't meant to offend you, however calling everyone a thief doesn't send a very positive message.

[@terrisimmers9004]

I was there in 1969 till 1972 or 1973

[@waveriderz]

@richyrik1 ...actually they didn't call it the "the home of the stealer" . Your phrase indicates a singular individual. It was called "island of thieves"by the Spanish, and it wasn't in reference to stick dance or grass skirts. Chamoru people were around long before the Spanish took Guam's land from it's people, so who was the bigger thief? Ya' might wanna' study a little more history before commenting on any group of people?

[@alvaroislascanarias]

DESDE LAS ISLAS CANARIAS EN ESPAÑA AMIGOS DE GUAJAM¡¡¡ BIBA GUAHAM¡¡ EN ESPAÑOL GUAHAM ..300 AÑOS UNIDOS CON ESPAÑA. BIBA LA MUSICA DE GUAJAM QUE ES MUCHO DE ESPAÑOL. Y MUCHAS PALABRAS DE CHAMORRO SON DE ESPAÑA.. NO PIERDAN LA COMIDA, LA MUSICA,EL IDIOMA CHAMORRO...BIBA GUAJAM¡¡

[@TheScarlet1156]

Not To Burst Anyone's Bubble, But Yes It Matters What Our Real Ancestors Wore, But As Of Right Now Everything Is Having A Change In It. I'm A Chamorro From Guam, I See BIG TIME Change. Our Culture Is Dying, So Have Some Little Pride In What They Are Representing. No It's Not Which Island Your From, What They Really Wore And Whatnot! It's What We Can Bring To The Table, And Show What We Learned, How We Were Raised & It's Past.

[@waveriderz]

@TheRenaissance180 ..i hear ya' bro', however the leaders of these organizations don't claim these dances were passed on by their ancestors.Colonial powers repressed so much of Chamoru culture that little is known about life prior to occupation.They merely claim them to be modern day representations of what might have been in the past. As they continue to be danced ,sooner or later, claims they were learned from great, great grands will be valid.

[@nomz670]

k to all those people dissing.... its spelled CHAMORRO! And i dont know who put this video up but dont diss cuz this is my culture and im from saipan! i dot diss ur culture so shut ur mouth

[@KaNaKa5wuno]

as a pure polynesian i feel angry cuz it seems like all these dances are wannabee copies of polynesian dances im pretty sure the indigenous people of guam did not have similar moves to the hula , kailau and other polynesian dances.and in the last few thousand years there was barley if not no contact between guam and polynesia STOP COPYING AND MANIPULATING POLYNESIAN DANCES THESE ARE NOT GUAMS TRADITIONAL DANCES!

[@jetloopminor8771]

aloha. may your days be glorified :D

[@guchol87]

i love that song i fogot the name lol

[@luisdiego29]

My friends, the Guam people seek his own cultural identity, which lost 500 years ago, with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, and the subsequent influence of the culture Nahuatl of Mexico , and the Philippines culture, but its roots ancestral not are among the Maori of New Zealand, or the people of Polynesia, its origin is in its very root Chamorro, in its people, in their memories and in their land….

[@goodaimshield1115]

So Guam people fabricate a cultural identity that doesn't exist because they don't like who they really are. Greate.

[@mafuticamachile6291]

They don’t need one. They just want it. Not all cultures need one. We got our own stuff

[@jetloopminor8771]

WORD OF THE WISE.. Honestly, thumbs up. but like you said, we all have our own opinions.. Thnx though

[@jetloopminor8771]

gabe lam'nag m'aga boechi beq nii ba cheag ko thin nu w'ur!! Le'mrom!!!!!!

[@rodazi]

Famalaoan wore a turtle shell in front of their menong. Other than that, our ancestors didn't wear anything except head and neck adornments. This was well-documented by the Europeans who considered them savages. Authenticity would involve embracing nudity, something that most audiences and those active in cultural advocacy activities here are probably not eager or even at all willing to do. I'm afraid that modern Katoliku/western-influenced shame and achieving this are at odds.

[@waveriderz]

Valid points,and nothing new in the world of colonization. Things change & nothing remains the same. With participation we at least have some input as to how we move forward.

[@devince-johricio3987]

Y’all sayin that chamorus stole other people’s dances to make they own. I’m samoan and I stand behind Guam because they lost almost everything due to colonization. They just looking and seeking help from their brothers and sisters of the pacific to find their roots and actually have something that they can hold onto. We came from one people why do you think many of the Pacific Islanders have similar dance moves ? What makes you think that these people of guam are any different? they trying to find their roots because they don’t have much left and y’all are gonna bash on them? If they “stole” moves from Polynesia or any other islands, those islands that you claim they stole from would’ve banned them from participating in any island festival.

[@devince-johricio3987]

Critico Tingka you say I’m not samoan😂 dawg I’m mixed the fact that you assume is funny asf

[@devince-johricio3987]

Critico Tingka you say chamorus don’t share similarities wit polynesian people whatsoever, know yo facts cuz you sound dumb😂

[@devince-johricio3987]

Critico Tingka know you’re history and facts before talking 😂 you’re right about chamoru being closer to Micronesia, maybe that’s because they Micronesian ? 😂

[@devince-johricio3987]

Critico Tingka duh you stupid cuz they mah people too😂 are you dumb or are you dumb 😂 don’t assume shii if you ain’t know shii😂

[@devince-johricio3987]

Critico Tingka I agree wit you on that ! I really do. But they are part of the Austronesian group just like many other islands in the pacific

[@northtr4784]

Guamanians are really lost.

[@sagittariusone2753]

@north$star LOL...Were not lost...It's called being influenced by Hispanic,Asian,American and other Islander cultures from throughout the Pacific through the years.

[@mafuticamachile6291]

@@sagittariusone2753 no this is a way of stealing different cultures

[@jilzcrocks3470]

Lmao dont get fooled. Chamorro language are very Similar to the ones in the Philippines. More than 60% of their words are mixed of Tagalog & Ilokano

[@CHAM0RRITO]

Do you speak Chamorro? Tagalog? Ilokano? Liguistic analysis of the Chamorro dictionary found that 55 percent of the entries were of Spanish origin. Indonesian languages also share many similar words with Philippine languages and Chamorro. And are part of the same language group. To say that more than 60 percent of Chamorro words are mixed of Tagalog and Ilokano is ignorarant.

[@devince-johricio3987]

Are you sure? Do you speak it? Or did you just get it off google? Cuz coming from a person who speaks it, it’s not 60% it’s similar but not that similar. It shares words with Tongan and samoan and spanish. not more then 60% is mixed with Tagalog and ilokano. Actually take the time to study and research, not online, actual research with the speakers of the chamoru language.

[@devince-johricio3987]

You don’t get fooled, but that’s kinda to late already

[@uts4448]

Critico Tingka I agree. Chamorro is not similar to Tongan or Samoan. If you look at the languages, Chamorro and Palauan aren’t really related to the languages of the rest of Micronesia and Polynesia. I apologize @devince -johricio. not trying to make you mad.

[@mafuticamachile6291]

Cuz Spain was controlling all of us

[@nismoluv1]

this is not traditional chamorro dancing, nice that guam is making up their own dances too entertain their visitors, but this is not an ancient chamorro traditional dance, you can tell this is not traditional because ancient chamorros didnt wear clothes, the men went naked and the females juss covered their vaginas, high ranking females used turtle shells and low ranking remales used leaves, other than traditional jewelry chamorro people did not wear clothes

[@WARXDEVILXALAN]

Guahu si alahundru tautau Malojloj BIBA GUAHAN

[@waveriderz]

@85darson ..you take the comments of a few people and then call a whole group of people "dumb f...ks". A little disrespectful isn't it? They don't speak for everyone any more than you do .Anyone can claim to be what they want to be on the internet, including you. Your expertise in anthropology qualify you to make these statements? We all come from different places so what's the big deal anyway?...Aloha

[@vlihwj]

Basta lalalo chelu. Pas para hago, nismoluv1, ginen un chamorro.

[@waveriderz]

...lol...thanks, but i don't see a single ew...when i see Guam's youth doing things to preserve their culture all i have are positive images...

[@85darson]

Nauru kirabiti chuuk and Pohnpei carry Polynesian Melanesian blood so is the culture. Kapingamarangi and nukuoro carry 100% Polynesian blood these to islands belongs to Pohnpei so chuumoros don't say y'all close to polys then micros cuz we drink kava and hula Chehhooo fuck out of Guam

[@ididers]

LMFAO this is why Guam is the laughing stock of the pacific

[@rasaimon11]

It's funny how Guam's so called masters studied dances from all over Micronesia and Polynesia and other places, mixed them up and called it Chamoru traditional dance. Then they brainwashed Guam's people, especially the youth, into believing it was authentic traditional Chamoru dance. Pathetic!

[@mafuticamachile6291]

I love you ❤️. Jk but thanks for putting a point I’ve been tryna say

[@Kava650]

BUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@85darson]

You can't say Micronesian dance cuz every island in Micronesia are different pohnpeians carry the blood of Polynesians and Melanesians don't know bout chuuk I heard people of Guam Aka Chummoros there culture similar to southeast Asians so is yap

[@uts4448]

Chuukese and Pohnpeians are very similar. They share the same ancestors. BUT.. I don’t think they carry Polynesian and Melanesian blood as much as you claim.

[@micronesianculture6701]

uts melasip you do know pohnpei and CHUUK are neighboring islands to Melanesia and some of the Polynesian islands in Micronesia right? Kapingamarangi and nukuoro are outer islands of pohnpei. The reason I said what I said because my grandmother who was an elder explains how Micronesians now days don’t look like Micronesians back in the days most of them Micronesians had Afros curly to frizzy hair I’ve even seen pictures. The thing is Micronesia is very mixed Islanders that’s what makes up of Micronesian. On pohnpei there is a village where the people look Melanesian and another village on pohnpei Pohn rakiad is nothing but Polynesians

[@micronesianculture6701]

uts melasip and yes straite hair as well

[@palulapsoulap1959]

Chuuk never related to Polynesian shut the hell up the only car is chuuk close related to the Filipinos than the Indonesia or Polynesian 😅😅😅😅😅😂😂😂

[@palulapsoulap1959]

Chuukese language is more Filipinos word in it 😂😂😂

[@shonteyermarsterssiaosi8792]

As a cookislander,Tahitian,Maori,Samoan,Hawaiian,Tongan Polynesian I'm very angry because these Guam people are stealing our cultures! They should be guilty😡

[@cams.3287]

yeah cause you're obviously all of those things at once !! ignorant

[@ryanquwan3960]

Kam _ how about you shut up