Have you ever participated in the Chamorro custom of mamaisen saina, where permission is asked of the elders for two people to marry? I have not, but I’ve been fortunate to hear stories from others. One of my favorite stories was from my boyfriend’s aunt: when her now-husband arrived at her parents’ house, he brought practically the entire village of Umatac with him!

So here is another Chamorro short story, about the custom of asking permission to marry, narrated by Jay Che’le. I’ve included a Chamorro transcription, English translation, and the original pdf from the KPV Collection. If you want to read more about this marriage ritual, there is also an article about it on Guampedia.

Mámaisen Saina Si Piling

Tinige’ as Carmen C. Blas
Pinentan as Lita Payne

Annai esta si Piling yan si Laling apmam na u manobiu, malago’ si Piling na u såga gi asentådu. Ha na’anok si Piling na malago’ gui’ umasagua ya u tutuhon i familiå-ña. Malago’ na u guaha sais famagu’on-ña, tres na lalåhi yan tres na famalao’an.

Gof malago’ lokkue’ si Laling umasagua sa’ esta gof ya-ña si Piling. Annai ha fåna’ si Piling i mañainan Laling para u sangåni na esta gui’ listo para u asagua, tinago’ ni mañainan Laling para u na’fanmåtto i mañainå-ña. Madisidi na para u fanmåtto gi mamaila’ na Såbalu.

Managångi i nanan Låling ni mañe’lu-ña yan i mañe’lon i asaguå-ña para u fanggaige’ yanggen manmåtto i mañainan Piling. Manmamuda todus ya ha na’fanlistu siha guihi gi pupuengen Såbalu.

Annai manmåtto i mañainan Piling gi pupuengen Såbalu, esta manlisto i bandan i palao’an. Manmañúñule’ i familian i lahi mama’on, amaska, afok, gimen fotte, yan gimen mames. Siha ha’ i mañaina manmatå’chong ya madisidi ngai’an nai u fanásagua ya håfa para u macho’gue. Ti ma sedi na u gaige si Laling yan si Piling annai ma’arérekla i umasaguan-ñiha.

Ayu annai manetnon i dos gurupon mañaina, ma’arekla na para u fana’lu guatu i mañainan i lahi para u magutos i palåbra. Todu este siha na tiempo, i nobia yan i nobio ti matungo’ håfa humáhånao lao gof konfotme i dos sa’ ayu kostumbre.

Annai måtto i ha’åni gi mina’un mes, mana’lu tåtte i mañaina gi gima’ i palao’an ya ma’arekla na para u ma ågang gi gima’yu’us tres Damenggo ya i mina’kuåtro Såbalu, u fanákammo’. Mientras ma’á’ågang, nisisita u háhånao i dos para as påle’ para u mafa’nå’gue ni dotrinan Katoliku.

Piling Asks Permission to Marry

Tinige’ as Carmen C. Blas
Pinentan as Lita Payne

When Piling and Laling had already been sweethearts for a while, Piling wanted to stay in what was proper. Piling revealed that he wanted to get married and start his family. He wanted to have six children, three boys and three girls.

Laling also really wanted to get married because she already really liked Piling. When Piling faced Laling’s parents to tell them that he was already ready to be married, he was tasked by Laling’s parents to bring his parents over. It was decided that they would arrived on the following Saturday.

Laling’s mother calls her siblings and the siblings of her spouse to be there when Piling’s parents arrive. Everybody is dressed up and she gets them ready there on Saturday evening.

When Piling’s parents arrive on Saturday evening, the woman’s side is already ready. The family of the man bring betel nut, chewing tobacco, lime, strong drinks and sweet drinks. It is only them, the parents, who are sitting and they decide when the two will be married and what will be done. They do not allow Laling or Piling to be there when they are arranging their marriage.

That is when the two groups of parents/elders assemble, it is arranged that the parents of the man will return for the last discussion of the marriage amongst the family. All of this time, the girlfriend and boyfriend don’t know what is going on, but the two really agree because that is the custom.

When the day in the first month arrives, the parents arrive back at the house of the woman and it is arranged that they will call the Church three Sundays, and to to be married on the fourth Saturday. While they are calling, the two need to go to the priest to be taught the Catholic doctrine.