Chamorro's Cultural Survival

Cultural Survival of the Chamorro

"For several centuries cultural and racial influences from Spain and the New World, as well as from the Philippines and the Orient, have met upon this small island of Guam. By the end of the 19th century many of these influences had fused with the native culture into a new pattern and with the native stock into a mixed racial type. The physical character of the people of Guam and also their mode of life had been profoundly altered, but once again they had achieved a relatively integrated cultural development. 
Then came a new disturbance. The American naval regime was established and strong influences from the United States began to be felt. American schools and sanitation were established and Western industry was stimulated. However, the Chamorro ethos,deep-rooted in home and Church, remained essentially unchanged. 

• Gradually,however, the ideals of American democracy as taught in the public schools are beginning to disturb that bulwark of tradition. Individuals are becoming self-conscious and serious conflict in politics, economics, social and religious life are arising....." By Thompson, Laura
• There is a real fear that Chamorros will cease to exist as an identifiable and distinct cultural group. There is a real fear that current social and economic trends do not actively involve them and that Chamorros will become a permanent underclass in their homeland. There are already signs of this emerging reality in the demographics of educational underachievement, the nature of the prison population, and the rate of outmigration. 

• One concern among the Chamorro society is the eventual loss of their language and culture in today's modern Chamorro society. As the number of Chamorros living outside

  

  http://guam.stripes.com/travel/
  park-offers-glimpse-guam%E2%80%99s-glorious-past

  of their homeland Guam keeps increasing, the concerns of the Chamorro and their cultural lost is also intensifying. In addition to the migration of Chamorros from their home island, there is also the rapid and intense force of change created by "Americanization" of the island. The economic, social, and political conditions of the islands had practically eradicated the language and cultural institutions among the Chamorros. Existing language use is minimal and cultural traditions and practices have been greatly modified. On the other hand, many of the Chamorro communities in the fifty states continue to observe and practice their Chamorro cultural traditions. 

In order to safe their language the Chamorro people have started different language preservation programs and hope to at least safe their language as English is becoming the main language of the island. Also different festivals to preserve the culture of Chamorro are also organized every year. 

Here is also a website I found, which describes how the Chamorro people try to keep the culture alive. Check it out! It is fascinating!  http://guam.stripes.com/travel/park-offers-glimpse-guam%E2%80%99s-glorious-past

http://filipinonurses.org/2011/12/
poea-opportunities-await-filipino-nurses-in-2012/

(http://www.chelusd.org/
  EVENTS/2013/CCF/ChamorroDay1F_web.jpg)      

Here is a great video I just found that explains how the Chamorro people are trying to safe their culture and store their core values!----->  http://www.iamchamorro.com/blogs/videos/9332055-i-am-chamorro-official-trailer-promo-video