The University of Guam held its 48th annual Charter Day on March 8. The theme for this year was “Triton Spirit: One University; Many Voices.”
UOG Charter Day is a yearly event that is a celebration of culture following Guam History and Chamorro Heritage Day (formerly known as Guam Discovery Day) on March 7. UOG student organizations and ethnic groups are commemorated through the miscellaneous activities on campus that are open to all who attend.
The general public was invited to the events held on campus such as cultural dances and ritual demonstrations, live entertainment from local musicians, as well as game booths, food, beverage, and souvenir vendors.
Student Government Association (SGA) Vice President Samantha David said “Charter Day is an opportunity for student organizations and cultures to network.”
One of the cultural dances was performed near the UOG Student Center Rotunda where a stage was set up. The Yapese Student Organization (YSO), which had more than 15 members during the performance, stood on the grass instead of the stage.
Next, they gathered in a formation of two horizontal lines facing each other. A majority of the YSO members wore colorful skirts in varying shades of red, green, and yellow. They also wore woven headbands and used wooden sticks during the dance while they chanted and sang.
In addition to cultural dances by the Micronesian island groups, the Pohnpeian Student Organization as well as those from Yap, Chuuk, and Palau constructed huts for ritual demonstrations.
Bert Palacios, a member of SGA, provided coverage on the social media platform Snapchat during the cultural dances. In regard to the YSO dance, he said “Major events were shown through dance and music; the dance was about 15 minutes long.”
One of the demonstrations involved how to make the traditional Pohnpeian drink, sakau. Sakau is made from the leaves of a shrub called the kava plant. Students in the Pohnpeian hut prepared the drink. The drink preparation ritual was an extensive process of using stones to turn the leaves into a paste to mix with water and laying it on tree bark. Finally, the mixture was strained into containers but was not consumed.
As the cultural dances and ritual demonstrations commenced, the general public and students alike played at game booths for prizes. They also purchased food and drinks from vendors selling popcorn, shish kebabs, and Belgian waffles, to name a few. Some souvenir vendors sold handmade bracelets and other crafts.
Meanwhile, another tent with a sign that read “Lorzalyn Artistry” offered henna tattoos to customers. Henna tattoos, which are not permanent, originate from India. The “ink” used for henna is from the henna plant which is turned into a powder then a paste. When applied to the skin, the paste stains the skin and will turn brown or orange as it dries down and lightens.
UOG Charter Day activities started at 9 a.m. and ended at 4 p.m.