Traditional Micronesian Art Forms: A Public Collection Catalog

Noel Quitugua was Exhibits Curator of the Northern Marianas Museum from 19-2006. He is artist, artisan, chamorro historian, researcher, and experimental archaeologist. He has been an active in many cultural projects to preserve local history, culture and art. He specializes in the replication of traditional implements and utilitarian objects of the ancient Chamorros.

Broka (Pump Drill) Before the coming of western civilization, the ancient Chamorros used the pump drill for thousands of years to bore holes in wood, bones, stones, and seashells. It is considered one of the most important hand held tools that an ancient Chamorro could own. This device was constructed of local wood, coconut rope, a stone weight and a seashell or basalt drilling tip. To operate the pump drill, the craftsman would simply spin the horizontal shaft to wrap the rope around the vertical shaft, hold the drill upright placing the tip on the material to be drilled; the drill is then started by pressing slowly downward and releasing pressure until the rope spins backward and the process in continued by pumping up and down with the horizontal shaft. Constant practice enables the operator to effectively master the drill. Mortar and Pestle Traditional medicine played an important part of the ancient Chamorro culture that is still practiced today by local healers who continue to pass their knowledge on the children. Healers of yesterday and today have employed stone implements such as this replicated mortar and pestle. The mortar is made of volcanic stone and the pestle is coral. They are easy to carry and used to pound various medicinal leaves and roots into powers. Higam (Shell Adzes) Throughout Saipan coastal areas as well as the entire Marianas archipelago, remnants of giant clam (tridacna) and common spider conch (stromboidea) shell adzes can be found even inside the jungle and in the ocean. Shell adzes such as this replication as well as the gouge shell adze, are considered the two most important tools every Chamorro man must process. These tools were once used extensively prior to the coming of the Spanish to carve a canoe, make a wooden bowl, carve a wooden sculpture, cut a tree down and other wooden items and at times in warfare. However, making shell adzes died out when metal was reintroduced to the indigenous people thus speeding the carving process. Haguet Gamsom (Octopus Hook/Lure) This is one of the 5 different types of octopus hook/lures based on my research and the most common device the ancient Chamorros once practiced extensively. It is a simple but very effective device constructed of 6 kinds of local material: 1) tiger cowrie shell-one of octopus’s favorite food; 2) stone weight that sink the device to the bottom of the ocean; 3) wood and / or bamboo stick to attach every pieces together; 5) hibiscus fiber that sways under current thus luring the octopus; and ,6) fish and / or human bone or sometimes turtle shell that serve as a hook. The most intriguing aspect of this ingenious device is that no matter how it is thrown into the ocean, it will always sink and on an upright position. Kulo’ (Trumpet Shell) This is a honed helmet (cassis cornuta ) trumpet shell we called Kulo’. It is considered as one of the most important device extensively utilized for thousands of years to deliver messages from one village to the other. The blowing of the kulo’ in various sound pitch means different messages which can be translated either the Chief or other important person is dying, marriages between two persons about to happen , incoming of another chief from other islands, an important son and / or daughter is born, a big storm is coming, the rice field is ready for harvest, the fisherman did not return, a war is about to begin and so on. Axe, Chisels and Mallets Throughout Saipan coastal areas as well as the entire Marianas archipelago, remnants of giant clam (tridacna) and common spider conch (stromboidea) shell adzes can be found even inside the jungle and in the ocean. Shell adzes such as this replication as well as the gouge shell adze, are considered the two most important tools every Chamorro man must process. These tools were once used extensively prior to the coming of the Spanish to carve canoes, wooden bowls, and sculpture. They were also used to cut down and in warfare. However, making shell adzes died out when metal was reintroduced to the indigenous people. Metal tools were more effective and speeded up the carving process. Additional replica tools include a basalt stone axe (achitan alutong) and a mallet and giant clamshell and basalt chisel set. Spider Shell War Club (Damang Doggas ) This is a replica of a war club used by ancient Chamorro warriors. The club is made of wood and spider shell.

Manuel Bermudes has been carving since 1977. He learned the art in the Kapingamaringi Village located in Kolonia, Pohnpei, a Polynesian settlement where men use traditional carving skills to create sculpture of fish and other sea creatures.

Fish Mobile This mobile is created from a coconut, sea urchin and wood. The fish are carved in rosewood and mahogany and depict reef and game fish. The sea urchin spines create a wind chime effect rattling when moved. Sharks These sharks are in the traditional Kapingamaringi style. They are carved from rosewood and real sharks teeth are inset.

Rufuno Ali Akiwa is a Master Carver from Palau. He carves storyboards, statues, and crafts in the traditional Palauan style. Rufino has won storyboard carving contests in Palau. His work is done in mostly hardwoods including mahogany and local hibiscus.

Man and Women These are traditional Palauan figures carved in hibiscus. They depict a Palauan couple in conventional dress and social roles. The woman is represented as a mother and the man as a fisherman. Walking stick This is a decorative walking stick carved from a piece of driftwood. The shapes of the figures follow the contours of the wood. A series of carved heads are intertwined with the body of a snake which is devouring a woman. A mermaid is depicted at the bottom on the stick.

Tokie Mojica is an artist from the Marshallese Islands. She creates traditional Marshallese crafts including weavings, utilitarian items and decorative objects. Her work includes the decorative leis and stars on the Lattes Stones in the Children of Our Homeland Center.

Wall Decoration “OBON” The Marshallese women are some of the best and most productive weavers in Micronesia. Wall decorations, “OBON” are a popular art form. This is an example of am intricately woven wheel made of Hala (Pandanus tectorius) and Rito, bleached fibers from coconut fronds (Cocos nucifera), and shells. Navigational stick Chart Navigational stick charts are unique to the Marshal Islands. These charts show wave and current patterns and were used to teach navigational skills. The chart is made of coconut frond and shells which represent islands and atolls. This type of chart, “REBBILIB” depicts general wave patterns of all the Marshall Islands. Headband (Wut) Traditional headbands are made of natural and dyed coconut fiber and pandanus. Necklaces (Marmar) The Marshallese dress has traditionally included jewelry. Contemporary jewelry is usually made from coconut fiber with cowrie or other small shells and cat’s eyes from the lampit snail. Handbag (Iep) Handbags are very popular. They are made of coconut fiber and pandanus plaited over wooden molds.

Sebastian Camacho is a self-described Eclectic Artist. He creates a variety of arts and crafts including shell, bone and wood necklaces, wood carvings, and paintings. He is also a popular local musician.

Sharks, carving and painting. Turtle, carving and painting Sebastian creates a variety of traditional and contemporary Micronesian shell necklaces. He made paintings based on his necklace designs which were attached to each canvas.

Estanislao (Stanley) C. Villagomez is a local artist who makes paintings and mixed media sculpture depicting local scenery.

Old Man By The Sea SeaShore