Saina Francisco "Frank" B. Rabon
Master of CHamoru Dance
Hafa Adai, my name is Francisco B. Rabon, AKA, Frank or Uncle Frank to everyone, and a Chamorro by birth, born and raised on the Island of Guam. I am 70 years old and have spent a majority of my life on Guam, as well as spending time traveling and educating myself off island. I speak, write and read the native language fluently, and I am very familiar with the old and new ways of the traditions of my people. I have learned to take pride and cherished my identity as a Chamorro, knowing the history and cultural genocide that has occurred towards our people throughout the years. The 400+ years of western contact and colonization eroded many of the traditional practices that is unique to the Chamorro people. Forty-seven (53) years ago I began researching, documenting, re-establishing the lost traditional practices most especially (dance, songs, and chants), that is unique to the Chamorro people. I hold dear to my heart the importance of my indigenous language and culture, knowing just how much have been lost, through outside influences. I also understand and respect others of culture who are struggling to preserve their indigenous language and culture.
I created and established Guma Taotao Tano’ 41 years ago, and numerous prestigious recognition (local and national), have been bestowed upon the group for continued perpetuation and preservation of the Chamorro language and culture. I as the director/choreographer have been honored the “MASTER OF CHAMORRO DANCE” - 1998, and “LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD” - 1998, by the Council of the Arts and Humanities. I have also been given the Honorary Doctorate Degree as “Master of Micronesian Creative and Traditional Knowledge”, by the University of Guam – 2015. As a Chamorro performing arts group we have represented the Chamorro people in many prestigious cultural festivals in (Europe, Asia, North America, South America, and the Pacific Islands), sharing and learning the beauty and importance of one’s language and culture in this ever-changing world. We have represented Guam in eight (8) Festival of Pacific Arts, an event held every four years celebrating the indigenous language and culture of the Pacific Islanders. As an educator for the past 37 years in the Public-School System and the community, I have strived to instill a sense of identity to the people of Guam, and the importance of preserving, perpetuating, educating, and promoting our indigenous language and culture.
Through Guma Taotao Tano’ I created two (2) non-profit organization – Pa’a Taotao Tano’ (A Way of Life of the People of the Land – 2001, and PIPIT, Inc. (Para I Probechu’n I Taotao-ta, Inc. – 2011). The mission of these two organizations are the preservation, perpetuation, education, and promotion of the Chamorro language and culture. Both organizations fortunately have been recipients of ANA Grants.
With all these accomplishments and travels I have been blessed meeting many great esteem individuals who have dedicated their lives for the preservation of their people’s language and culture. They have in some way encouraged me to continue the path I have chosen. Guma Taotao Tano’ in its existence has produce 7 generations of members, and their continued dedication to the mission has inspired me to remain within my chosen path, and continue passing on the knowledge that my ancestors have taught me.
Master of CHamoru Dance
Hafa Adai, my name is Francisco B. Rabon, AKA, Frank or Uncle Frank to everyone, and a Chamorro by birth, born and raised on the Island of Guam. I am 70 years old and have spent a majority of my life on Guam, as well as spending time traveling and educating myself off island. I speak, write and read the native language fluently, and I am very familiar with the old and new ways of the traditions of my people. I have learned to take pride and cherished my identity as a Chamorro, knowing the history and cultural genocide that has occurred towards our people throughout the years. The 400+ years of western contact and colonization eroded many of the traditional practices that is unique to the Chamorro people. Forty-seven (53) years ago I began researching, documenting, re-establishing the lost traditional practices most especially (dance, songs, and chants), that is unique to the Chamorro people. I hold dear to my heart the importance of my indigenous language and culture, knowing just how much have been lost, through outside influences. I also understand and respect others of culture who are struggling to preserve their indigenous language and culture.
I created and established Guma Taotao Tano’ 41 years ago, and numerous prestigious recognition (local and national), have been bestowed upon the group for continued perpetuation and preservation of the Chamorro language and culture. I as the director/choreographer have been honored the “MASTER OF CHAMORRO DANCE” - 1998, and “LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD” - 1998, by the Council of the Arts and Humanities. I have also been given the Honorary Doctorate Degree as “Master of Micronesian Creative and Traditional Knowledge”, by the University of Guam – 2015. As a Chamorro performing arts group we have represented the Chamorro people in many prestigious cultural festivals in (Europe, Asia, North America, South America, and the Pacific Islands), sharing and learning the beauty and importance of one’s language and culture in this ever-changing world. We have represented Guam in eight (8) Festival of Pacific Arts, an event held every four years celebrating the indigenous language and culture of the Pacific Islanders. As an educator for the past 37 years in the Public-School System and the community, I have strived to instill a sense of identity to the people of Guam, and the importance of preserving, perpetuating, educating, and promoting our indigenous language and culture.
Through Guma Taotao Tano’ I created two (2) non-profit organization – Pa’a Taotao Tano’ (A Way of Life of the People of the Land – 2001, and PIPIT, Inc. (Para I Probechu’n I Taotao-ta, Inc. – 2011). The mission of these two organizations are the preservation, perpetuation, education, and promotion of the Chamorro language and culture. Both organizations fortunately have been recipients of ANA Grants.
With all these accomplishments and travels I have been blessed meeting many great esteem individuals who have dedicated their lives for the preservation of their people’s language and culture. They have in some way encouraged me to continue the path I have chosen. Guma Taotao Tano’ in its existence has produce 7 generations of members, and their continued dedication to the mission has inspired me to remain within my chosen path, and continue passing on the knowledge that my ancestors have taught me.