Page 456 - Visitor Guides

About the Cover GUAM’S UNIQUE CULTURE AND PROUD HERITAGE

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