Cultural dancers perform at the proclamation signing designating September as Chamorro Carolinian Cultural Heritage Month. Every Sunday in September, the Songs and Chants of the Islands celebration takes place at the Carolinian Utt.
A FULL weekend of free music, chanting, and culture is scheduled in honor of Chamorro and Carolinian Cultural Heritage Month, according to Agatha Ketebengang, program coordinator at the Carolinian Affairs Office.
On Saturday, Sept. 9, at 10 a.m. at the Carolinian Utt, Alfred Saures and the CAO will offer a free ukulele clinic, according to Ketebengang. She said the ukelele clinic is open to all ages.
The next day, on Sept.10, is the first day of the Songs and Chants of the Islands celebration, which is a night of free, public cultural performances at the Carolinian Utt.
The performance schedule is as follows: Lokally Carolinian Stick Dancers from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Marvin Seman from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; MHS Poksai Chamorro dancers from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Alailis Women from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Da Band from 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Petlas Marianas Micronesia from 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and the Refaluwasch Warriors from 8:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Ketebengang said it’s important for people to use their native language to connect to their culture.
“It’s all connected — the land, the language and the people,” Ketebengang said, adding that the events of Chamorro Cultural Heritage Month are a way to connect to culture. “It’s important. If you don’t, you lose it. Especially our language. We need to continue [speaking it]. If you don’t speak our language, then it’s just like losing our land, there’s no connection to your culture.”
Ketebengang said while this Sunday’s performance line-up is filled, there are still open slots for other Songs and Chants of the Islands events, which take place every Sunday in September.
Additionally, there are performance slots open for the Grand Finale of Chamorro Cultural Heritage Month on Oct. 1.
Ketebengang invites cultural performers to contact her at the Carolinian Affairs Office at (670) 234-6385.
