Page 351 - Micronesia

About the Cover GUAM’S UNIQUE CULTURE AND PROUD HERITAGE

Chamorro Barbecue – Known as the oldest the American culture perme- 5
a staple on the fiesta civilization in Micronesia, ates through the resort area
table, most of the the Chamorro culture of Guam of Tumon, whose main street
time, ribs and chicken has a deep-rooted respect for is lined with luxury boutiques
are marinated for 3-4 family and tradition passed and chain restaurants.
hours in a soy sauce down for generations. Every-
and vinegar mixture, thing from seafaring and Village fiestas are also a tradi-
then seared on an fishing techniques, artisan- tion in the Chamorro culture
open grill over char- ship, weaving, song and although they were not intro-
coal or tangan tangan dance has been inherited duced until Spanish mission-
wood embers. through thousands of years aries came to Guam in the late
of oral tradition. 1600s. The celebrations, which
Finadenne’ - a basic honor Catholic patron saints
condiment used in Chamorros take great pride in in each of the island’s 19 vil-
Chamorro cuisine, their language, faith, tradi- lages, occur annually.
the favorite sauce is tions, and arts & crafts, but
prepared by mixing have always welcomed new Nowhere is the island’s multi-
soy sauce, vinegar or cultures to the island with cultural heritage more evident
lemon juice, chopped open arms. Although prac- than on the fiesta table, where
white onion, and tices like kissing the hands Filipino-style pancit sits next
fresh chili peppers. It of elders (fanginge’), which to Spanish-influenced red
can be spooned over emerged in early Chamorro rice (hineksa’ agaga’), and
4 food – especially culture, or fishing with a where American red velvet
meat – or used as a throwing net (talaya), have cake is just down the table
dipping sauce. maintained their place in so- from Chamorro barbecue ribs
ciety, influence from Spanish marinated in soy sauce from
Cucumber Salad – and Asian cultures is evident Asia. Heavily laden tables of
a favorite among throughout the island. colorful local delicacies such
Chamorros, this dish as spicy eggplant with coconut
takes a popular Guam Architecture from the Spanish milk (finadenne’ birenghenas),
vegetable and soaks it period, for example, is evident hot and spicy chicken (kadon
in finadenne’, bring- in the government build- pika), chicken with ground rice
ing a tangy flavor to ings and churches found in (chalakilis), and shrimp pat-
cucumbers. Hagåtña, while modernity of ties, can be found here as well.

Red Velvet Cake –
is a lush Southern del-
icacy from the United
States that has found
its way to Guam. As
the Chamorros enjoy
great food, this des-
sert has found its way
to most functions on
the island.