ask-hws-guam

[ask-hws-guam]

Who is someone you want to know out of your followers?

So many people that I’ve haven’t spoken to in a while and It’s been a while since I’ve been on here!

(41/50)

[ask-hws-guam]

🐠 let's 🥥 go 🐡 to 🐚 the 🥭beach 🪸 beach 🏖

I’d have two nickels, which isn’t a lot but it’s weird it happened twice! I already answered this question before!

(40/50)

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Ahhhhhhh!!!! 10 more questions to go!! Woooooooooo!!!

[ask-hws-guam]

Dear Guam, happy International Women Day! Wishing you strength in dealing with any difficulties, though I wish those to be a rare guest in your house. Be happy!

Hehe, thanks for thinking of me and all my fellow women, nai! May you have the strength to face difficulties as well, friend!

(39/50)

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Sorry for the late response and hasty art, had a lot to balance and got distracted by a project in the works!

[ask-hws-guam]

It’s Guam History and Chamorro Heritage Day!I came across this pretty cool dude and we became friends!

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Since it’s Guam History And Chammoro Heritage Day, I thought I’d draw Maiana and Tano together hanging out at Plaza de España, where back in the Spanish Colonial Era used to be were the mayor resides!

Maiana is by me and Tano is by @minjaminnn

[ask-hws-guam]

Any interesting historical fashion?

Before colonization, the natives had these interesting body modification techniques! People would darken their teeth back then. In order to do this, they mix black coloring with some gum to make it long-lasting. They often reserve an entire day to anoint that one tooth…the entire process will take up as many as 14 days, during which time the teeth must not touch anything so they can’t eat any they can chew! A funnel is used to give sustenance to their body so they do not die. They even etch pattern on their teeth and or sharpen them! There was also written accounts of the women bleaching their hair with a mixture of lime and oil, then expose themselves the sun at noon for for days on end. Whenever their head is burning hot, they sprinkle it with sea water.

(38/50)

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Sources:

[ask-hws-guam]

// happy valentines! 🌹

((Thank you! This was a sweet surprise to wake up to this morning before I went to work, I hope your Valentines went smoothly!))

[ask-hws-guam]

Wait, you have a store?? Could you show us what kind of store you have and what you offer??

I usually sell the typical convenience store stuff like American candies,chips, nicotine items, tee shirts, sunglasses, and other things you need to buy in a pinch! But you’ll also find imported snacks as well and freshly cooked food like empanadas, Arrozcaldo, I even sell pickled items like pickled hardboiled eggs! Just your usual mom and pop shop, sometimes my brother helps when he visits along with my nieces and nephews!

(37/50)

[ask-hws-guam]

If you had to play in the Olympics, what sport(s) do you think you'd have a shot at winning?

Laughs in seasoned mma fighter

(36/50)

[ask-hws-guam]

Hello, Guam! You brought me sweets, didn't you? I am sorry for not responding for so long, my borzois stole them and hid somewhere. Thankfully they left me a package, the cookies are very tasty, thank you! I brought some sweets for you too, these are one of my favourite candies called "Leningradskiye". This city is now called Saint Petersburg.

Awww, I like how colorful the wrapping is. I’m trying to enjoy this but….

My cat is very interested in this.

(35/50)

[ask-hws-guam]

Can you see with both your eyes? My brother has eyes with different colors too, but his looks more creepy and he can’t really see with one of them :0

I am able to see with both eyes. As for a story, let me tell you about this huge fish that ate pieces of my land and how the women saved the island!

Åntes na tiempo (a long time ago), the ancestors of the modern day CHamorus came to the Marianas, a mighty race of people. They were called taotaomo’na which means “the people of before.” It is said that the taotaomo’na were giants, very clever and wise, and that they possessed magical powers.

During that time a group of fishermen who fished in Hagåtña Bay noticed that the mouth of the bay was quickly growing larger and larger. They could not understand what was causing it to grow. Similarly, a group of fishermen from Pago noticed that Pago Bay was also growing larger and larger. It seemed that the center of the island was being eaten away on both sides.

The people could no longer ignore what was happening. The land between Hagåtña and Pago was becoming narrower each day. They realized that if this trend continued much longer the island would soon become two separate islands.

A meeting was called to bring together all the wise taotaomo’na. After comparing their observations everyone agreed that something had to be done – and quickly! They realized there must be an answer about what was causing the narrowing center of Guåhan, but unfortunately, no one knew what it was. The group disbanded without knowing quite what to do.

A few days later a Pago fisherman was out early in the morning doing his day’s work when he spotted a giant fish! The fisherman, curious to find out more about the large creature, tried to approach it. As he neared, he saw that it was eating big chunks of land! But when he came even closer the giant fish saw him and quickly swam away.

The fisherman ran to tell everyone about the giant fish that he had seen chewing away at the land in Pago Bay. When they heard his account, the people were outraged and vowed to fend off the giant fish.

Early the next morning all the strong men of Guahan gathered with their weapons and started out on their mission. They were going to stop the giant fish from chewing through the island!

Hagåtña and Pago Bays were filled with canoes of fishermen and others who wanted to help. The men paddled into the bay looking for the terrible fish. Some searched along the coral reef while others looked in the deep ocean outside the reef. The men searched for hours, but no giant fish was seen. As nightfall came everyone returned home filled with disappointment.

The search for the giant island-eating fish continued for many days. Enthusiasm to find it lasted a long time. But no matter how hard the men searched, the fish eluded them.

The news of the failure to find and destroy the giant fish spread from village to village. Some of the young maidens heard the news and were fascinated by the efforts to catch the fish.

The young women talked about the giant fish whenever they gathered to wash their hair and rinse it with fresh water scented with lemons. Their favorite spot to gather for this task was at the Hagåtña Springs. When they finished, the pool would be covered with lemon peels.

One day a young maiden in Pago noticed these same peels floating in Pago Bay. She was puzzled by their appearance. After some thought, she realized that the giant fish must have eaten a hole all the way under the island from Pago Bay to Hagåtña Springs! She told the other maidens, that must be where the giant fish was hiding.

The next day the maidens gathered at the Hagåtña Springs. They were amused the brave, strong men were unable to capture the giant fish. The maidens then decided they would catch the fish themselves. Cutting off their dark tresses, they wove a net with their long black hair. Because their hair had magical powers, they knew their net would have magical powers, too.

While they wove they began to sing. They sang for hours, and as they continued to sing, the net grew larger and larger. Even the giant fish could hear their singing from underwater. Enchanted by the sound of their beautiful voices, the fish swam out from its hiding place to listen to the singing maidens. As the fish approached the mouth of the spring, the maidens drew closer to the fish, still singing and carrying their net of hair. Suddenly they spread their magic net over the spring and dived into the pool, surrounding the fish. The giant fish was trapped and could not escape! In triumph, the maidens then summoned some of the men to help dispose of the giant fish. With their wisdom, magic and beautiful singing, the young maidens had saved Guåhan!

(34/50)

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Sorce for story: https://www.guampedia.com/how-the-young-maidens-saved-guam-folktale/

((Decided to sorta cheat and count these as two individual asks! Don’t judge me!))

[ask-hws-guam]

Wait do you have heterochromia?? Cool!

Please ignore CMNI!

(32/50)

[ask-hws-guam]

Hello, Guam! It's very cold in my place now, but your nature is always so beautiful and green. Tell me please, are there any interesting fruits in your land? What should I try if I'll visit you someday?

Hafa Adai, Russia! We have the usual tropical fruits like Mangos, Coconuts, Papaya even!

Breadfruit has lots of uses, you can turn it into flour and use it to make pastries, dry it out and make chips out of them, you can even just cook it until soft in coconut milk!

(31/50)

[ask-hws-guam]

What is your relationship with the other territories?

I have a friendly co-worker relationship with American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and U.S Virgin Islands. Central Northern Mariana Islands on the other hand…

He’s my brother as you can see.

(30/50)

((Aaaaahhhh!! 20 more asks to go! Almost there!))

[ask-hws-guam]

I've heard there are some Latte stones that are unique to your place. Could you tell more about them?

Latte stones are typically made out of limestone or basalt. They’re usually found at my place or through out my brother’s place, nai!

They’re sacred to the ancient Chammoro. Locals say to not mess with them due to superstition of being cursed by the taotaomona, the spirits of the ancient Chammoro if you do. Lots of suggestions of the dead being buried between the stones. But basically they’re used for homes! There are many arguments about when the Chamorro started building this way, but many agree they stopped around 300 BP.

The Latte is so iconic to Chammoro culture that we use the motif often from the school bus stop shelters, the mayor’s residence, the archbishop’s residence, and on our legislator! It’s a shame a lot of these structures were destroyed and/or abandoned due to colonization. Thanks a lot Spain!

(29/50)

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For more information, check these sources I found!

Significants of the Latte stones

Latte Structure

[ask-hws-guam]

I don’t mind waiting at all! I almost forgot one thing, I need to pay the cat tax so here is my cat Fu’una!

I come with an offering of coconut candy in exchange for friendship!

Oh, this is for me? Looks tasty! I like sweets. I wasn't ready for a friendly gesture, but feel the need to make one in exchange. But I have to prepare first... Won't you don't mind waiting a little bit?

[ask-hws-guam]

Friends turn into foes and rivalries

So keep your friends close and your enemies closer

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

[ask-hws-guam]

Hi hi hi :D

Hafa Adai! You need something, nai?

(28/50)