Lecture 7: Slingstones and Sacred Bones

Question 1

What are some ancient Chamorro tools?

Answer 1

Lusong - mortar
Adze - higam

Question 2

What are some materials used to make the blade of the Adze (higam)?

Answer 2

Basalt
Clam shell (Hime)
Iron (Chamorro lulok, Spanish hierro)

Question 3

What tool do the Chamorros use for fishing?

Answer 3

Poyu’ or Acho Achuman

Question 4

What were the Spear points used by the chamorros made up of?

Answer 4

Human bones

Question 5

What is spear in Chamorro?

Answer 5

Fisga

Question 6

What is slingstone in chamorro?

Answer 6

Ahco’ atupas

Question 7

When was the latte period?

Answer 7

800 AD to late 1600s

Question 8

What is Proa?

Answer 8

Outrigger canoe

Question 9

What was the chamorros mainly known for?

Answer 9

Their navigational and boat skills

Question 10

What was the proa to the chamorros?

Answer 10

Plentiful
Fast
Maneuverable

Question 11

What name did Magellan give to the Mariana Islands when he first saw the proas?

Answer 11

Islas de las Velas Latinas (Pigafetta, 1521)

Question 12

What were the canoe variations for the Mariana Islands?

Answer 12

• Sakman: largest sailing canoe, 30-40 ft long, for long-range voyaging and deep sea fishing
• Lelek and Duding: medium-sized
• Duduli: smallest proa, 15-20 ft.
• Panga: small canoe without sail
• Galaide: dugout canoe without sail

Question 13

How did Chamorros/Pacific Islanders navigate?

Answer 13

Sidereal Compass: Star chart/compass
Waves
Clouds
Weather
Fish/birds
spirits/religion

Question 14

What are the rolls of the navigators and voyagers?

Answer 14

• Masters of the natural and supernatural worlds
  – Sophisticated
  – Respectful of hosts’ & culture

Question 15

What are the rolls for the hosts (people native to the village)?

Answer 15

–Hospitable to guests
–Food, shelter, protection