The history of our islands and people have been framed so often from the Western, colonial gaze that it can be easy to forget the indigenous perspective. March 6th marks the anniversary of when the Chamorro people first encountered – and generously aided – Magellan and his starving crew. Yet it is how Magellan chose to label the cultural misunderstandings between our people and the Spaniards which has so often defined the larger historical narrative. So in this story, written by Brigida D.L. Guerrero, we get to read a rare piece of historical fiction in the Chamorro language that tells of this encounter from the Chamorro perspective. I found this story in the UH Manoa Pacific Languages Collection, and hope you enjoy it! This post includes the Chamorro text and a Chamorro audio narration by Jay Che’le.
The English Translation is forthcoming! I have not posted the translation yet because we I underestimated how long it would take to do and haven’t finished it yet.
Lengguahi-ta 