“Umehaggan” or “to hunt turtle” by Dawn Lee Reyes.

The green sea turtle of “haggan” has played an important role in CHamoru culture over millennia. Until very recently the eating of haggan meat or eggs was a delicacy at parties, fiestas or weddings.

The shell of a haggan was one of the most precious materials used by ancient CHamorus. It could be used to buy peace in conflict and facilitate forgiveness between clans over offenses. It was also given to cement alliances or friendships between families and villages.

The haggan shell was used by CHamorus prior to Spanish colonization to create jewelry for body adornment or trade. One of the most notable examples of this was called “guinahan famagu’on” or the wealth of children. It was a special necklace made from haggan shell that was given to someone if they had saved the life of a child.

In modern times the haggan has become an endangered species. Federal and local laws passed in the 1970s have made the haggan a protected species, where it is no longer legal to hunt, kill, trade or make use of the haggan shells.