VISIT THE TAOTAO TANO: New book highlights pre-Spanish Marianas rulers

Honoring Mr. Olopai for his social economic and educational contributions to the CNMI

Carolinian navigator Lino Olopai. Olopai, author of The Rope to Tradition, Olopai reminisced about his past and how he came to know better his Carolinian heritage. Olopai said that being a navigator requires relying on one's skills and instincts and interpreting one's environment, including the stars. Carolinian navigation skills use stick charts that are raised and aligned with the stars to guide navigators as they sail across the vast stretches of the Pacific. He also shared his experiences about meeting other Carolinian navigators, through which he came to know more about his heritage and his present advocacy to balance traditional culture with the demands of modern life in the Commonwealth. Olopai's Rope of Traditionwas published by the Council in 2004.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

New book highlights pre-Spanish Marianas rulers

Ed Benavente donated 1 copy to Taotao Tano CNMI Association, Inc. 111407.

A new book detailing the lives of several chiefs and chieftains that ruled the Marianas hundreds of years ago is now available.
Guam Gov. Felix Camacho led the presentation of the new book, titled I Manmañaina-ta; I Manmaga’lahi yan I Manma’gas; Geran Chamoru/Españot, (1668-1695), during the kick-off of the 8th Western Micronesia Chief Executive Summit Tuesday morning.
Author Ed Benavente, who is also director of the Guam Ancestral Lands Commission, joined Camacho in presenting the book to CNMI Gov. Benigno R. Fitial.
Prior the presentation, Benavente and two of his staff showed to conference delegates illustrated posters of at least 25 chiefs and chieftains who ruled the islands in pre-Spanish times.
Benavente and illustrator Raphael Unpingco came up with the new book, which covers the Chamorro and Spanish War of 1668 to 1695. The book is an 86-page volume that identified the Chamorros who fought for freedom from the Spaniards.
Benavente said the book names 11 chiefs from the CNMI, while 15 are from Guam. Some of the chiefs during that time were Choko, Maga'ling Mata'pang, Tolahi, Sangho, Poio, Magalahi, Hurao, Aligao, Chaifi, Ka'lsa, Ke'Puha, Ipao, Kimadu, Olanok and Punni.
The book covers the war in Micronesia that lasted 27 years, culminating in the last decisive battle on the island of Aguijan in July 1695. The book contains a section that is devoted to each chief or warrior, recounting details of their clashes with Spanish soldiers and the speeches that stirred its people during that time.
111507 st-By Marconi CalindasReporter