Pilgrimage to Fouha Rock

Prior to European colonization, the CHamoru people lived by their own calendar, which had 13 months and followed the movements of the moon. While many of the specifics of this calendar have been lost, the names of the 13 months and what most of them mean were documented. It was clear that Ancient CHamorus named many of these months based on changing weather patterns, times for planting and also ideal moments for catching certain animal species.
 
The first month of the CHamoru year was called “Tumaiguini” meaning “to become like this” or “this is the way.” Unlike other months where the moon’s meaning is tied to mending nets or catching a certain type of fish, the intent for the start of the year and Tumaiguini for our ancient ancestors remains a mystery.
 
Because the Ancient CHamoru calendar follows the moon, there is a strong belief that the start of the CHamoru year might have begun prior to European colonization around this time, during the Lunar New Year. Because of historical accounts that mention the largest gathering of Ancient CHamorus in Guam taking place at a rock, where they honor their ancestors, some historians believe that this may have been Fouha Rock in Humåtak, and have speculated that it may have been a gathering to commemorate the start of the CHamoru New Year.
 
Since 2014, groups such as Our Islands are Sacred, Independent Guåhan, Gi Matan Guma’ and Micronesian Climate Change Alliance have organized an annual event called Lukao Fuha, or a pilgrimage to Fouha Rock, to commemorate the start of the CHamoru New Year. Although each Lukao Fuha is different depending on who is organizing it, participants are regularly encouraged to bring with them items such as carved jewelry, uncooked rice, vegetables, fruits, flowers, or other things that are placed around an altar to be blessed. Chants and songs are sung, and the story of Fu’una and Puntan is recounted. All of this is done as part of honoring the ancestors of the past and with a mind to set one’s intentions for the coming year ahead.
 
The images are from the 2026 Lukao Fuha which was organized by Independent Guåhan and Gi Matan Guma’.