Inos noted the central role played by the coconut plant in local culture and in Rota’s image as “nature’s treasure island.”
This year’s theme was “Coconut Tree in our Culture,” which highlighted the variety of uses of “The Tree of Life,” according to Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Rota Resident Director Lourdes Manglona.
She said they are facing great challenges in educating the new generation of students about the importance of local culture.
“But the students were really satisfied with the presentation on real Chamorro culture,” she said while attending the 3rd annual Chamorro conference here over the weekend.
Manglona said Rota’s canoe builder Stan Taisacan also facilitated the construction of the galaide’ for the Chamorro Nation Group of Guahan and Luta.
Stan was the special guest speaker of the ceremony on Rota.
He delivered a memorable speech about the parts of the coconut plant by explaining their traditional uses by the ancestral Chamorros.
During the demonstration at the DCCA Cultural Center grounds in Songsong, Stan talked about the Chamorro names of each part of the coconut plant while explaining their cultural uses.
In a press statement, Manglona said there were various presentations on the different uses of the coconut tree in food processing, clothing, shelter, tools, weapons, arts, handicrafts and medicinal purposes.
The presenters were local residents and members of the non-profit organizations Inetnon Atten Atistan Luta and the Chamorro Nation on Rota.
According to Manglona, members of the Guahan Chamorro Nation were supposed to arrived on the Sakman “Saina” flying proa’s historic voyage that was scheduled to arrive on Rota on Sept 23. But inclement weather postponed the voyage.
Four of the sakman’s crewmembers — Joe Blas Viloria, Ray Blas Viloria, Mike Palomo and Corrin Blas Villoria — were on Rota a day prior to Saina’s scheduled arrival to participate in the welcoming ceremony on the beach at the Rota Cultural Center.
The group also participated in the cultural celebration event.
They wore traditional ancient Chamorro attire and demonstrated the use of the “kulu” while paddling Rota’s locally built galaide’ with the island’s Chamorro Nation group.
The Guamanians also displayed various traditional arts, handicraft, tools and weapons they brought from their island, Manglona said.
This year’s celebration was funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Administration for Native Americans administered by the Commonwealth Council for Arts & Culture and with the assistance of DCCA Secretary Cecilia Celes.
