(Press Release) — The 16th Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council joins the community in expressing dismay and sadness on the recent scorching of the Guma’ Higai Sakman, especially in view of its role as a sacred traditional canoe house located at the traditional Chamorro village of i Sengsong Katan Uda at the Susupe Civic Center, site of the former Marianas District Legislature.
“The Guma’ Higai symbolizes our quincentennial or the 500th anniversary of our cultural obligation to both honor our Chamorro ancestors and, through their undying guiding spirits, perpetuate our rich and unique Chamorro heritage as once world prominent master seafaring navigators and voyagers for thousands of years,” said Council Chairwoman Ana Demapan-Castro on behalf of her colleagues, Vice Chairwoman Antonia M. Tudela and Councilman Danny I. Aquino.
“We share the feeling of loss with the voyagers and volunteers on the painstaking time in planning, investing both physical and financial, and implementing a revered cultural project aimed at reviving the lost traditional seafaring knowledge about 300 years ago, dating back to 1742 on the sketch of British Military Navy Commander Lord Anson who made a brief stopover in Tinian for rest and reprovision,” Demapan-Castro added.
She said “taking into consideration all the sweat in the hot and humid environment and sacrifices of countless hours by some of our respected voyagers and volunteers under the stewardship of Master Navigator Tony Piailug and his student John S. Castro, make this unfathomable damage of the Guma’ Higai Sakman even more disheartening.”
The council sends its heartfelt thoughts of grief to the voyagers, private and public sector partners, and volunteers.
The council also offers its support to restoring the cultural project in collaboration with potential private and community non-profit partners.
Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council Chairwoman Ana Demapan-Castro, standing left, background with Department of Community and Cultural Affairs staff at the traditional canoe house in Susupe.
