On November 21 I gave a talk for the MARC Seminar Series at the University of Guam. This talk was meant to encourage a continuing discussion of the crescent-shaped, carved body ornament called Sinahi by contemporary Chamorros. My interest in this object is due to the fact that it has become a major icon of Chamorro identity, yet its ancient origins and usage is a mystery. To summarize my talk: · The name Sinahi was given by contemporary Chamorros because it looks like a crescent moon. This is confusing because Sinahi actually means New Moon, meaning the dark moon. According to my sources, ancient Chamorro language described the waxing moon as Sinahi---( i.e One, Two) , using ancient terminology for the enlarging size of the crescent over the month’s cycle. Contemporaries shortened these terms to just Sinahi . In the northern Mariana Islands, it has been called Kalang , meaning pen...
Article by Therese Padua Howe Guam PDN. Photo also by Therese. Correction and clarification: This story has been updated to reflect the correct spelling of Heather Beaman's last name in photo captions. If you haven’t taken advantage of Judy Flores’ batik painting workshops yet, you need to go online now and grab a slot in one of her monthly sessions — they sell out fast. The workshops are a unique opportunity to learn firsthand from one of Guam’s cultural icons, and it’s a master class in the ancient Indonesian art form of painting based on a wax-resist dyeing technique. The three-hour workshops take place at her garden studio in InalĂ„han, where she has tables set up in her covered patio areas for her small groups of students. I was lucky enough to spend Saturday afternoon at her July workshop, and was pleased to discover that despite my lack of artistic talent, I was able to create some colorful silk scarves that I would actually wear or could give away as gifts. Flo...
This year of 2020, St. Joseph Church in Inalahan celebrates their 340th year since the founding of the church in 1680. To commemorate this event, artist Judy Flores created a painting for her parish of St. Joseph’s and produced a limited edition print to raise funds for the Jubilee celebration. The limited edition of 350 signed and numbered prints are now available at the St. Joseph’s Rectory Office for a donation of $100 each. Each print, measuring 37”x 17”, is accompanied by a signed and numbered Certificate of Authentication that tells the story of the parishioners featured in the print. Rectory Office hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 9am to 12pm and 1 to 5pm. For more information or to reserve prints, call the Office at 828-8102. Brian Leon Guerrero is the first to receive his prints. He is flanked by office staff Annie Herron (L) and Father Joseph Anore (R). Submitted by Judy Flores 777-3488
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