Aghurubw Explained

Aghurubw (pronounced AH-guh-rue-b) was a Carolinian (Refaluwasch) Chief and navigator who led his people from Satawal to what is now Saipan (a commonwealth of the United States in the Western Pacific Ocean) in the early 19th century.[1]

Navigation to and settlement of Saipan

After an 1815 typhoon destroyed life on their home island of Satawal, Chief Aghurubw of the Ghatoliyool clan and Chief Nguschul (pronounced NU-GU-SCHUL) of Elato asked permission from the Spanish Governor, Farallon de Medinilla, for their people to settle on the Island of Saipan.[2] [3] [4]

The Chiefs were granted permission to move to Saipan to manage their cattle herds, turning the island into a ranch or cattle plantation.[5] [6] They were also allowed to go to Tinian, an island neighboring Saipan.

Aghurubw received a legal certificate and the traditional symbols of a leader, a cane and a tall black hat. Due to the tall hat, he was called parúng, the Carolinian word for hat or cap, by the Ghatoliyool.[7] To get to the island of Saipan, Aghurubw used an ancient sea route called metawal wool.[8] He and his party landed on Micro Beach. After bringing the people there, the Carolinians built a village which he called Arabwal.[9]

In 1851, Aghurubw used contacts offering opportunities in the northern isles to advance himself.[10]

Following Chief Aghurubw and Chief Nguschulthe, more Carolinians came bringing their people and establishing villages on Saipan.[11]

Legacy

After his death in Arabwal, Chief Aghurubw was buried in Managaha (Ghalaghal) island, where a statue now stands of him. He was buried upright upon his request, so he could see Micro Beach.[12] [13] The place is sacred to Refaluwasch people in CNMI as a result of his life, influence and burial there. People visit the island every year to celebrate him.[14] [15]

The people of Saipan celebrate 'Chief Aghurubw Day', a holiday which is an important part of the Refaluwasch culture on the CNMI.[16] Additionally, the Ghatoliyool Clan established the Chief Aghurubw Foundation to further his legacy and impact.[17] [18]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Over 200 pay homage to Chief Aghurbw. 2018-10-07. Saipan News, Headlines, Events, Ads Saipan Tribune. en-US. 2019-05-07.
  2. Web site: Managaha campaign impact report : Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands - :14343 Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) National Ocean Service (NOS). repository.library.noaa.gov. 2019-05-07.
  3. Book: Marianas Island Legends: Myth and Magic. 2001. Bess Press. 9781573061025. en.
  4. Web site: Chief Aghurubw Day celebration. Variety. Marianas. Marianas Variety. en-gb. 2019-04-16.
  5. Web site: Navigating Modernity / The Carolinians, a tiny group of islanders on Saipan, in the western Pacific, have seen their ancient culture succumb to consumerism. As they try to salvage what they can of their past, they are helping to lead a cultural revival am - SFChronicle.com. 1999-03-07. www.sfgate.com. en-US. 2019-04-15.
  6. McKinnon. Jennifer. Nahabedian. Sarah. Raupp. Jason. 2016. A Colonial Shipwreck in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands. International Journal of Nautical Archaeology. en. 45. 1. 94–104. 10.1111/1095-9270.12140. 1095-9270. free. 2016IJNAr..45...94M .
  7. Book: Jackson . Carolinian-English Dictionary . Marck . University of Hawaii Press . 2019 . 9780824881931.
  8. Book: Micronesian Legends. Flood. Bo. Strong. Beret E.. Flood. William. 2002. Bess Press. 9781573061292. en.
  9. Web site: People - American Memorial Park (U.S. National Park Service). Saipan. Mailing Address: P. O. Box 5198. Us. MP 96950 Phone:234-7207 x2002 Contact. www.nps.gov. en. 2019-04-13.
  10. Book: D'Arcy, Paul . The People of the Sea: Environment, Identity, And History in Oceania . 2006-01-01 . University of Hawaii Press . 978-0-8248-2959-9 . en.
  11. Book: Micronesian Legends. Flood. Bo. Strong. Beret E.. Flood. William. 2002. Bess Press. 9781573061292. en.
  12. Web site: The Nature Conservancy and NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program. .
  13. Web site: BC's Tales of the Pacific: Refaluwasch come to Saipan. Variety. Marianas. Marianas Variety. en-gb. 2019-05-17.
  14. News: page8. 2016-09-15. Marianas Variety. 2019-05-16.
  15. Web site: Chief Aghurubw commemoration this weekend. 2018-10-04. Saipan News, Headlines, Events, Ads Saipan Tribune. en-US. 2019-05-19.
  16. Marsh, Kelly G. & Na'puti, Tiara R. "Pacific Islanders in the U.S. and their Heritage: Making Visible the Visibly Absent." NPS. AAPI National Historic Landmarks, n .d.https://www.nps.gov/articles/upload/12-Essay-12-Heritage.pdf
  17. Web site: Marianas Variety - Managaha's cultural heritage. www.mvariety.com. 2019-04-13.
  18. Web site: Ghatoliyool clan forms Chief Aghurubw Foundation. 2016-05-19. Saipan News, Headlines, Events, Ads Saipan Tribune. en-US. 2019-04-18.

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