We don’t know exactly how the belembaotuyan ended up on Guam, but it has been here for hundreds of years. And while you are more likely to hear a cha cha song at a fiesta nowadays, this instrument was commonly played at gatherings in the past because it could be made using local, natural materials.

A belembaotuyan is made up of several parts; the gourd, the string, the hitting stick. It has roots in Africa, and was later brought to Brazil by enslaved Africans. Eventually versions of this instrument traveled across the world and made its way to Guam. The word belembaotuyan has two parts, the first one is the instrument belembao, which comes from the word berimbao. Tuyan is stomach, where you place the instrument while you are playing.

When it was first introduced, CHamorus would make the string from natural fiber. But eventually when metal was brought in more regularly to the island, they replaced this with metal to make a more distinct sound.

Even up until the prewar American period, the belembaotuyan was a regular instrument at parties since it could easily be made with local materials. Many of the other instruments we know of today, such as guitars, pianos, even violins, could be rare or difficult for families to obtain.

The emergence of radio, vinyl records, television and other media entered the island in the 20th century has helped lead to a decline in the knowledge and use of the belembaotuyan. The Guam Council on the Arts and Humanities Agency, has recognized one individual the late Tun Jesus Crisostomo from the village of Inalåhan as a Master of CHamoru Culture for the Belembaotuyan.

The 12th Festival of Pacific Arts held in Guam in 2016 helped lead to a revival of interest in playing the belembaotuyan. Dozens of new belembaotuyan were created and dozens of apprentice musicians were trained. As part of the celebration more than 60 belembaotuyans were gathered together under the name Sunido Pacifica to perform for the event.