10 Ways to Experience Guam’s Rich & Fascinating Culture
Posted by Maris on 9th Apr 2024
The rich and intriguing culture of Guam is one of the things that attracts a lot of visitors. The beliefs, customs, and way of life that have come to define Guam's daily existence have been shaped by immigration, colonialism, arrivals from other places, and even wars throughout the island's human history.
We'll list our top ten suggestions for being fully immersed in Guam culture below. You will have a more profound understanding of the island and its inhabitants as a result of these encounters.
Visit Chamorro Village on a Wednesday evening.
Even though Chamorro Village in Hagatna is open every day, we suggest visiting on Wednesday evening. At that time, you can enjoy some of Guam's signature dishes, such as famed Chamorro BBQ, as well as cultural performances that include music and dancing. It's also a fantastic chance to browse reasonably priced crafts and artwork created by Guam-based artists. You'll get a great sense of Guam's color and spirit of life from the entertainment, cuisine, and native artwork.
Kayak Through the Adventure Park's Valley of the Latte
A fantastic spot to start learning about the Chamorro people is the Valley of the Latte Adventure Park. Go on a river tour or hire a paddleboard or kayak. A guided tour that covers Guam's cultural past is included in both. Additionally, you will get the chance to see a location of original Chamorro habitation, complete with the characteristic latte stones for which the Chamorro are recognized. Ultimately, you will have a greater appreciation for Guam's natural beauty—which permeates every aspect of daily life on the island—after seeing the tranquil jungle river environment.
Review the history of World War II.
As we previously discussed, Guam was greatly influenced by World War II. Those who were suspected of having pro-American views were frequently threatened with punishment, murder, or forced labor during the Japanese occupation, which lasted from 1941 until 1944. Seven sites honoring the part the island played in World War II provide visitors to the War in the Pacific National Historical Park with a window into that era. The park provides a fascinating look into a particular period of Guam's history, even if you're not much of a history buff.
Around Guam, there are several intriguing sites and places for those who enjoy learning about World War II history. The Guam Pacific War Museum, the Asan Beach overlook, and Yokoi's Cave—a replica of the bamboo-lined cave where a Japanese soldier hid until his discovery in 1972—are a few of our favorites. He spent over thirty years hiding in the woods, not convinced that the war was over, until two fishermen happened upon him. Although his original cave is no longer standing, a replica is still visible.
Savor Some Delectable Traditional Cuisine
A significant part of Guam culture is food. There is usually an enormous spread of food available whether you are having a large gathering with friends and family or celebrating something special like a birthday. Therefore, sampling as many diverse dishes as you can will be the first step towards fully immersing yourself in the island's culture.
Guam serves a wide variety of native Chamorro meals.
You can sample traditional Chamorro dishes as well as the cuisines of Guam's diverse immigration communities. Foods from other Pacific Island cultures, such as Japanese, Korean, and Filipino, are also popular. The DeWitt Guam team's favorite hangout is Guam's very own German eatery! Learn more about the dishes and eateries on Guam that our team loves. We'll assist you in beginning a delightful and unforgettable culinary journey on Guam!
Discover Chamorro traditional arts in the Gef Pa'go Cultural Village.
You can travel back in time and observe Chamorro life prior to European settlement at Gef Pa'go Cultural Village. A guided tour will lead you past a row of beachside cottages manned by elder Chamorro people who demonstrate various traditional Chamorro crafts, such as sea salt and rope manufacturing. Don't miss the gift shop, which features one-of-a-kind finds that you won't find on the island.
Bonus Excursion: Visit the Inarajan Pools while you're nearby. Your admiration for Guam's numerous natural beauties will only grow after seeing this sequence of naturally occurring saltwater pools.
Spend Thursday nights at the Mangilao Night Market.
The Thursday Night Mangilao Night Market has a lot to offer, including local artists, fresh produce, and traditional Chamorro dishes. Many parents bring their children to enjoy the family-friendly setting, and the fun begins at 5:00 pm. The BBQ is some of the greatest around, so don't miss it. The Mangilao Night Market does have some unique items, even though on Wednesday nights you'll find some of the same merchants at Chamorro Village. Don't forget to drop by and experience something a little different.
Visit the Guam Museum to Learn About the Journey of the Chamorro People.
The Guam Museum's new, permanent site formally opened its doors in 2016. "The most complete display of Guam's history and culture in the Chamorro language to date" is the museum's crown jewel. Visit the stunning, contemporary structure to view the objects, pictures, recordings, and short films compiled to narrate the tale of Guam and its indigenous people. There are choices for translating the descriptions into Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, and Korean in addition to being written in both English and Chamorro. A visit to the Guam Museum is essential if you're interested in learning more about the history of Guam and the neighboring Mariana Archipelago islands.
Take Part in One of the Numerous Festivals on the Island
In Guam, fiestas and festivities hold great cultural significance. The 19 villages in Guam each get a fiesta day because they are so significant. Liberation Day, which honors the day the Japanese rule ended in 1944, is one of Guam's largest festivals. Given that Guam observes it as an official holiday, it would be difficult to miss. There are parades and carnivals in Hagatna, in addition to smaller events held throughout the island.
Numerous fiestas on Guam honor a specific saint. Celebrated in May, the Malojloj Fiesta is held in honor of San Isidro. The island celebrates Santa Marian Kamalen, an aspect of the Virgin Mary, on December 8. The name comes from a tradition centered on a figure of Mary that was kept in a tool shed, or kamalen in Chamorro. While there are processions throughout the island, the Santa Marian Kamalen event is centered around the Cathedral-Basilica in Hagatna.
Make sure to stop over if you're on the island for one of these festivities. Discovering Guam's culture through community gatherings to commemorate significant occasions, customs, and beliefs is the best method to do so.
Discover the Legends of Guam at Two Lovers Point
Legends have a lot of information about a civilization. Puntan Dos Amantes, or Two Lovers Point, is the focal point of one of Guam's most well-known legends. According to the account, two young Chamorro people fell in love, but they were not allowed to be together because they belonged to different castes. After being banished, they starved and were hopeless as they roamed the jungle by themselves. Instead of splitting up, they bound their hair and leapt off the precipice together.
Remarkably, there are now variants of this tale that include the Spanish colonization of the island. Some accounts describe a young woman who was born to a Chamorro mother whose father was a Chamorro chief and a wealthy Spanish father. This young lady was engaged to a young Chamorro warrior, but she ended up falling in love with him instead of the Spanish captain. They jumped off the cliff together because, like the lovers in the other story, they were unable to live together due to social expectations.
Two Lovers Point offers many opportunities to appreciate the island of Guam, whether you come to celebrate the concept of dedicated love, think about how an island's past shapes its culture and mythology, or just to take in the breath-taking views from the cliff.
Explore the Heritage Trail in Hagatna
Wander around the capital city of Guam and pass seventeen historical places that illustrate the history of the Chamorro people. You can catch a glimpse of Guam's Latte Period, Spanish colonization, Japanese occupation, and more recent status as an island with a rich and colorful past in just over a mile and a half.
You will witness fortifications from World War II, historic stones placed hundreds of years ago, the church housing the well-known statue of Santa Maria Kamalen, and numerous more intriguing locations. You'll gain an understanding for all the occasions and factors that created Guam's culture today by taking part in this entertaining and thought-provoking historical tour.