Photos

Governor of Guam Lou Leon Guerrero (center) and members of Para I Probechu’n I Taotao-ta, Inc. participate in a CHamoru chant during a burial ritual at a Sabånan Fadang burial site on Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, Guam, July 27, 2023. The Government of Guam hosted the ritual; Toni ‘Malia’ Ramirez, a cultural representative from the State Historic Preservation Office, blessed the grounds; and Para I Probechu’n I Taotao-ta, Inc. performed a traditional CHamoru chant. “Today was beautiful and I have to thank the military…for the organization, and the people of Guam that are here… the Governor and the Senators and the people that just came to see the [ritual],” Ramirez said. Following the ritual, the guests were invited to pay respects to those buried at the site and visit the other burial sites located in the area. Camp Blaz is still under construction, so for many, this was the first opportunity they’ve had to visit Sabånan Fadang since the discovery of these sites. During the construction of the Blaz main cantonment, five sites each with at least one burial dating to the Latte Period, were discovered. In 2021 a similar ceremony was held at a different Sabånan Fadang site where a monument would later be constructed in 2022. While monuments will not be erected upon all the burial sites, each will be re-covered with native soil and landscaped with indigenous flora. Markers to inform future visitors will be installed as agreed upon between SHPO and Joint Region Marianas. The sites will be opened to the public once construction is completed, and they will be included as part of the Base Access Program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Garrett Gillespie)