On March 11-12, 2019 the Chamorro Studies Program in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences of the University of Guam will be holding its annual “Inacha’igen Fino’ CHamoru” or CHamoru language competition.

Each year hundreds of students from both private and public schools throughout the Marianas gather to compete against each other in categories that test their knowledge of speaking, reading, writing and singing in the CHamoru language. The theme for this year’s competition is “I Fino’ CHamoru: Lina’la’, Guinaiya yan Pås’,” or “The CHamoru Language: Life, Love, and Peace.”

The first day of the competition will take place on Monday, March 11 in the CLASS Lecture Hall and feature categories for individual contestants. On this day students will compete in the storytelling, oratorical, singing and poetry recitation categories.

The second day of the competition will take place on Tuesday, March 12 in the Calvo Field House. This day will feature large group elementary and middle school dance and chant competitions in the morning, and high school competitions in a dramatic performance, singing and language proficiency in the afternoon. Each competitive event will be judged by members of the community who are fluent in the CHamoru language. For each category, gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded for first, second and third place finishers.

The Inacha’igen Fino’ CHamoru is made possible because of our generous sponsors, The Outrigger Hotel, The Guam Mayors’ Council and the Association of Mariana Islands’ Mayors, Vice Mayors and Elected Municipal Council Members, Sylvan Learning Center, Family Finance, International Distributors and Dr. John Ray and Sera Taitano. The biggest contributor to each year’s Inacha’igen is the UOG Office of the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

The organizing committee for this year’s competition includes the following Chamorro Studies and Chamorro language faculty from the University of Guam: Dr. Michael Lujan Bevacqua and Siñot Joey Franquez (co-chairs), Siñora Rosa Salas Palomo, Siñora Teresita Flores, Siñora Ann Rivera, and Siñot Jimmy Teria.

This event is free and open to the public. The entire community is invited to come and watch this celebration of the indigenous language of the Marianas Islands and support efforts to preserve it for future generations.