Chamorro People - Modern Chamorro Culture

Modern Chamorro Culture

Chamorro culture today is an assimilation of Chamorro, Spanish, American, and fellow Pacific Island groups (mostly Micronesian), most especially present in the Marianas Islands. Certain Chamorro values such as inafa'maolek (which could be translated as interdependence) and practices such as balutan (the taking of leftover food from fiestas and parties to be eaten later) are still a part of the culture (usually seen in the Marianas), and are regularly expressed within families, and openly at gatherings such as village fiestas, parties; however more solemnly at nobenas where reverence and respect are expected of attending persons. Respect for one's family, community, and the elderly (manamko) are a part of Chamorro culture, although this varies from person to person and family to family. The modern culture is strongly influenced by American customs and values, partly because the Marianas (Guam and the CNMI have different political standings) are currently under the possession of the United States of America, as organized but unincorporated territories; in addition, persons of Chamorro descent live in several states, mentioned in the introduction at the beginning, and as such are also influenced by the American culture. The American Military (mostly Navy, Air Force, and Army Reserves) has a strong cultural influence to Chamorros on Guam, reflected in the recruitment of people from Guam, which is about 14 people per 1000 compared to the closest US state, which is Montana with 8 people per 1000. (See the Guam page for more details about this topic.)