Maimo’
2025
Volume VII Issue II
Phases of i pilan Maimo’
New Moon February 28
First Quarter March 7 Mother and daughters weaving. Photo courtesy of Micronesia Area Research Center/ Anne Hattori
Full Moon March 14
Third Quarter March 22 Guampedia is a non-profit affiliate of the University of Guam with operations funded by the Government of Guam’s Tourism Attraction Fund. Instagram: @guampedia Facebook: Guampedia Phone: 671.734.0217 Email: guampedia@gmail.com Mailing Address: 303 University Drive UOG Station, House #3 Mangilao GU 96923
Heard Throughout the Eras
The Roles of Women in the Marianas The ancient peoples of the Mariana Islands were recorded to have formed a matrilineal society, where lineage and clan resources were traced through the mother’s line. This differed to most other places around the world where these elements would have been traced through the line of the father. This detail in CHamoru/Chamorro society hints at a greater system of appreciation and protection for the role of women. Whereas the men would be responsible for tasks like open ocean fishing and trading, it was the women’s role to oversee the resources on land, determining how land was to be divided, cultivated, and utilized. Together, the maga’håga (eldest daughter) and maga’låhi (eldest son) would serve as chiefs, governing over decisions of the clan as one.
Throughout our islands’ history, the CHamoru/Chamorro people would continuously carve out spaces for their women to have their voices heard and their counsel accepted in the public discourse. Women served as techas (prayer leaders) in the Spanish era, councilwomen in the US Naval era, senators in the Guamanian era, and now as senators and as governor in this modern age. Despite attempts from foreign powers to relegate women to lower public statuses, the people of the Marianas would never forget how much of their strength as a people came from the wisdom and guidance of women. For within the family, whether they be maga’håga or mother, nåna or nina, the prestige of women has never been forgotten nor their strength overlooked.