Interviews with Dr. Larry Cunningham and Master Weaver Phillip Sablan

Pictured above: Ancient Chamorro Society written by Dr. Lawrence "Larry" Cunningham



Pictured above: KAHA Certificate awarded to Master Weaver Phillip Sablan



Buenas! I'm still working on my research draft, and most recently I interviewed Dr. Larry Cunningham, the author of various Guam resources I'll be using in my research; and Master Weaver Phillip Sablan. Dr. Cunningham was the one who actually suggested that I interview Sablan, who was also one of his former students. I had interviewed a number of insightful weavers, so to add Sablan to the list was another resource that will prove to be resourceful!

Here are a couple of excerpts from my interviews:

Dr. Larry Cunningham: "Coconut weaving is effective in teaching mathematics, because it addresses the number one problem with mathematics instruction. Mathematics should be taught with practical applications, then students understand why they need to learn mathematics. The students can see practical necessity for mathematics."

"You start by counting over and locking the leaflets on the thick end of the half coconut frond. Then you skip a leaflet and weaver over, under, etc., then tying off the end, and finally taking the two halves and tying them together," Cunningham said.

Master Weaver Phillip Sablan: "Our (Chamorro) culture needs to evolve. It needs to survive. Coconut weaving can perpetuate our culture."

References:

Cunningham, L. Personal INTERVIEW. 22 March 2010.

Sablan, P. Personal INTERVIEW. 24 March 2010.