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History
Many villages have rich histories reaching back thousands of years. Artifacts from ancient Chamorro settlements can be found in every village of Guam. When Spain colonized Guam, the island was divided into separate districts. Each district consisted of a parish with a village center governed by an alcalde, appointed by the island's governor.
Many Chamorros, the indigenous people of Guam, were forced to live in the new villages, each centered on a church, so they could learn Christianity. In the 18th century, there were six parishes on Guam: Agana, Agat, Umatac, Merizo, Inarajan, and Pago.
Prior to Spanish colonization, Chamorros regularly held village celebrations. After adopting Christianity, these celebrations became fiestas in honor of the patron saint of each village. Annual village fiestas are still held throughout Guam every year.
The current division of Guam into municipalities took place in the 1920s under U.S. Navy administration.
List of villages
- Agana Heights
- Agat
- Asan-Maina
- Barrigada
- Chalan-Pago-Ordot
- Dededo
- Hagåtña
- Inarajan
- Mangilao
- Merizo
- Mongmong-Toto-Maite
- Piti
- Santa Rita
- Sinajana
- Talofofo
- Tamuning
- Umatac
- Yigo
- Yona
References
- Rogers, Robert F (1995). Destiny's Landfall: A History of Guam: University of Hawai'i Press. ISBN 0-8248-1678-1
- Carter, Lee D; Carter, Rosa Roberto; Wuerch, William L (1997). Guam History: Perspectives Volume One: MARC. ISBN 1-878453-28-9
- Sanchez, Pedro C. Guahan, Guam: The History of our Island: Sanchez Publishing House.
External links
"Villages of Guam"