Visiting Guam during a cultural exchange program, the I Famagu’on I Tano’ Yan I Tasi dance group from Japan gave a presentation and short performance at the University of Guam this week.

Organized by Dr. Kyoko Nakayama, a professor from Teikyo University in Tokyo, Japan, the group of more than 40 members studies traditional Chamorro dance and culture during her after-class activity. They also perform during parades and other cultural events in Japan and abroad.

Nakayama, whose interest in Chamorro culture originated from independent study and curiosity, three years ago started the dance group affiliated with the local Chamorro dance organization Pa’a Taotao Tano’.

“At first I was interested in the history and culture, not just dance,” Nakayama said. “I wanted to learn the Chamorro language. The easiest way to learn the Chamorro language is dance. The motions and language are strongly connected.” 

The group performed for the first time at the University of Guam on Feb. 16 with the help and organization of Dr. Michael Lujan Bevacqua, program coordinator of Chamorro Studies.  

“I love dancing just for fun,” Nakayama said. “I have a strong connection with the local dancing people, and they (have) a lot of things to share—knowledge and customs. I’m really interested in their ideas.”

Nakayama’s students practice more than 20 traditional songs and dances to be performed in the original Chamorro language. While Nakayama—who speaks both English and Japanese—said she is not fluent in Chamorro, she translates the lyrics of the traditional songs into Japanese for her students to understand the meaning and significance. They then memorize the words to the songs in the original Chamorro for their performances. 

Depending on the song, the group also wears traditional-style grass skirts, sinahi necklaces, woven headbands, Spanish-era attire, and some special costumes that Nakayama makes by hand.

Other adornments like the Guam seal necklaces worn by members of the group were made by local artist Ron Castro, Nakayama said.

Wearing a purple and white wrap made especially for her “Guma” or house, Nakayama explained the cultural significance of the design made by Castro.  

“He gave us this design,” Nakayama said. “This is a latte and Mt. Fuji…and this is a dancer in a grass skirt…this is a combination of Guam and Japan. It’s a beautiful design.”

Throughout their presentation, the select group of 16 students that traveled to Guam with Nakayama this time around performed traditional dances for a classroom full of students and community members, finishing off their visit to UOG with the famous song “O Saina.”

Afterward the students explained why they study traditional Chamorro dance and culture.

“No Chamorro dance, no life,” said Saki Morita, a 22-year-old student at Teikyo University who dances with the I Famagu’on I Tano’ Yan I Tasi. “If I’m interested in something I want to keep studying and understanding (it). So Chamorro dance is the same. I’m interested in Chamorro dance, and I like it so I want to learn more songs, dance, of course culture, and history.”

Morita also said it was important for everyone, both Japanese people and Chamorros, to understand the history between the two cultures, a lesson many of Nakayama’s students said they learned while studying the dance and culture of the Chamorro people.

“Many Japanese don’t know Japan-Guam history,” Morita said. “I started Chamorro dance, and (now) I understand the history. I want to tell my feelings and (what I learned) to many people. I want to tell and share the history and culture.” 

Bevacqua added that University of Guam students benefit from visits like this because they can help inspire them to research their own culture, sparking an interest in perpetuating the Chamorro language, traditional dances, history and more.

“It’s definitely good for them to connect,” he said. “For the students here it is a good thing because it’s a reflection back on them. I’m hoping this exchange empowers our students. By seeing this, students on both sides can be empowered.”

“This really shows the importance of dance and how the university can really benefit from it,” he said, “how it can be a means for us connecting to other cultures, (and) be a method of sharing. It was very nice having a bunch of Japanese people showing us Chamorro style dances.” 

Photos:

Top Photo: University of Guam Chamorro studies students and community members pose for a photo with I Famagu'on I Tano' Yan I Tasi.

Bottom Left Photo: The original design by local graphic artist Ron Castro is displayed on the purple and white wrap worn by I Famagu'on I Tano' Yan I Tasi.

Bottom Right Photo: Dancers from the visiting I Famagu'on I Tano' Yan I Tasi, a traditional Chamorro dance group from Japan, perform for University of Guam students and community members on Feb. 16.