Additional Guam historical pictures of thatched homes created with coconut leaves

As you know, I'm actively involved in my research of coconut weaving. I'm still working on my research draft, but I wanted to share with you the additional information I discovered, which is the Guam historical pictures of thatched homes created with coconut leaves. It should be noted that the source of the historical pictures titled, "Hale'-ta, I Ma Gobetna-na Guam, Governing Guam: Before and After the Wars" was commisioned by the Political Status Education Coordinating Commission. This Commission was established by Public Law 20-99 and mandated to develop a curriculum of political status studies for Guam schools. The Commission is composed of seven members, including three representatives from the Guam Department of Education, a representative each from the University of Guam, Guam Community College, and Commission on Self-Determination, and a representative of the Community At Large.

Enjoy the following historical pictures I discovered as part of my research on coconut weaving.

NOTE: Click on the images below to get a better view of the respective pictures.











Reference:

Political Status Education Coordinating Commission (1994). Hale'ta, I Ma Gobetna-na Guam, Governing Guam: Before and After the Wars. Agana, GU.

Coconut Weaving is in the Air

The active engagement I put into my coconut weaving research has come at an opportune time, as the Guam Department of Education has just completed its Chamorro Month - March! As such, my English Language Learners in kindergarten and first grade were happy to celebrate with me in a coconut-weaving photo moment! Pictured below are my groups that I service at different times throughout the day. You'll notice that each group has a food name, and this category was purposely selected to motivate them, especially at a time when the BMI policy prevents our teachers from giving out any food treats at anytime, even during birthdays, special occasions, etc. for health reasons. Times have changed, so we must move forward and make the most of our situation. Nevertheless, enjoy the pictures of my ELLs using the coconut-weaved crafts that I personally created, with the exception of the hats, which I'm still trying to learn to weave. Please note that my ESL parents have signed media waivers for their children. It is important that such agreements are signed before any publication is made.

Introducing my Banana Puddings...

Introducing my Blueberry Muffins...

Introducing my Mango Smoothies...

Roof Thatching Pictures and Song

Ever since I narrowed my indigenous topic to coconut weaving, it seems like my world has revolved around any information pertaining to it, especially with information regarding mathematics terms. For example, during a proclamation signing for the Guam Child Care and Development Association's (GCCDA) Child Care Givers Appreciation Week and 2010 Professional Leadership Conference, I saw a miniature version of an Ancient Chamorro Village containing replicas of coconut leaf thatched roof homes, and I automatically started taking pictures. Below are the pictures that I took while we were waiting for the Lt. Governor Mike Cruz to enter the conference room.

Pictured above: Coconut leaf thatched roof home replicas depicting the ancient Chamoru homes. The artifacts were created by Mr. and Mrs. Juan Babauta Chaco & Family.

In addition, Dr. Larry Cunningham has shared with me photos of his Canoe House, along with a special coconut weaving roof thatching song, which I've included below.

Balanggai - Roof Thatching Party

Gupot Atof - A Roofing Party

Thatching Song: Chamorita Higai

(Santos, 1989, p. 92; Reprinted courtesy of the Richard Flores Taitano Micronesian Area Research Center; Collected by Carmen Garrido Iglesias AKA Carmen I. Santos)

Below are the before and after pictures of the paseo canoe house provided by Dr. Cunningham.

Pictured above: Paseo Canoe House (SAHYAN TASI FACHEMWAN) before the weaving/thatching of the roof took place.

Pictured above: The Paseo Canoe House (SAHYAN TASI FACHEMWAN) after the roof has been thatched with coconut leaves.

Happy Easter Fellow MACIMISERS!

Dear Fellow MACIMISERS,

I would like to wish all of you a Happy Easter! Cherish the special time you have with your family and friends, while trying to balance your Project MACIMISE research paper in between, along with your other duties. It is challenging, but with much perseverance, we can do it! Remember that our ultimate goal is to impact our students' mathematics skills. Good luck!

All the best,
Si Matilda

Image source: www.slowtrav.com

Today's Session: Additional Time for Research Paper

Today's session was set aside to allow us to further work on our research paper, and I am grateful for the opportunity that was afforded. After having done much research and interviews on coconut weaving, I now must remain focused on my topic, Using Coconut Weaving in Guam Classrooms to Improve the Mathematics Skills of Local Students. There is so much information, but ensuring that the mathematics focus is truly maintained is critical. I have edited my paper, but I am not comfortable yet in resubmitting it for review. When I feel that it is worthy, then I will submit it to Don. I wish all of my fellow MACIMISERS the very best in finalizing their research paper!

All the best,
Si Matilda

Resource Lent by Chamorro Teacher Sinora Antonia Salas

As part of my interview process, I was fortunate enough to interview Sinora Antonia Salas, Chamorro teacher, who shared with me a wonderful coconut leaf weaving resource titled, "The Guide to Basket Weaving, Creative Weaving with Coconut Palms" written by Robert Morrison and Auntie Healani.


The following are snapshots taken from the resource detailing steps for weaving a fruit basket, which requires various mathematics steps that must be followed in detail. You'll notice various mathematical wording in each of the steps, including the following: one side, 16 leaves, same width, 40 inches long, each end, midrib thin enough, even circle, one hand, first leaf, spaced evenly, circle is tied, making a circle, two notches, let the circle go, cut two more notches, on the opposite side, with the first cut, repeat cuts on the other end, bend the frond into a circle, lining up the notches, tie the circle, at each end, one end of the string, one direction, wrap the other end, other notches, in the opposite direction, tie three knots, hold the circle, leaflets facing down, direction the leaves are pointing, under the first leaf, over and under the next six leaves, in the direction the leaves are pointing, around the circle, turn the bowl upside down, tighten and even the basket, pull each leaf down, turn the bowl right side up, through the center, turning the bowl upside down, holding all the leaves upward, take out one leaf in front, count seven leaves, bring it across the leaves on the opposite side of the circle, inserting it under the seventh leaf, first leaf behind the leaf, bring it across the circle through the sixth leaf, finish the bottom circle, grasp one leaf, working in the direction that the leaves overlap at the center of the bowl, adjusts the star pattern at the bottom, star leaves tend to bend in the opposite direction, turn the bowl upright, working from the inside and outside, hold a finger at the intersection of leaves and push upward on the star leaf from the bottom, pull on the opposite leaves, a little at a time, bottom is flat with the circle, and weave the ends of the leaves & plait them outside the bowl.


FRUIT BASKET STEPS:


Step 1: Select a section on the one side of the frond with 16 leaves that are the same width and at least 40 inches long. Take a leaf off each end, and shave the midrib thin enough to make an even circle when it's bent.

Step 2: Hold the leaves in one hand, with the midrib facing down.

Step 3: Cut where the first leaf was pulled off, so that leaves will be spaced evenly when a circle is tied.

Step 4: Making a circle, cut two notches on the midrib, and let the circle go. Hold the leaf with the midrib facing you, and cut two more notches on the opposite side, even with the first cut. Repeat the same cuts on the other end.

Step 5: Bend the frond into a circle, lining up the notches. Tie the circle with strong, leaving plenty of string at each end. Wrap one end of the string around the midrib and notches, going in one direction. Then wrap the other end of the string around the midrib and the other notches, in the opposite direction. Tie three knots and cut off the excess string.

Step 6: Hold the circle with the leaflets rib facing down. You will be working in the direction the leaves are pointing. Starting with any leaf, weave under the first leaf, then over and under the next six leaves. Continue working in the direction the leaves are pointing, finishing the rest of the leaves around the circle.

Step 7: Turn the bowl upside down, with the leaves going down. To tighten and even the basket, start with any leaf and pull it tightly at the midrib. Continue to pull each leaf down snug. This process should be repeated until the weaving is evenly tightened.

Step 8: Turn the bowl right side up. Looking through the center of the bowl, push all the leaves through the bottom.

Step 9: Start by turning the bowl upside down and holding all leaves upward. Take out one leaf, starting with the leaf in front, and count seven leaves in the direction they are leaning. Start with the leaf hanging out and bring it across the leaves on the opposite side of the circle, inserting it under the seventh leaf.

Step 10: Start with the first leaf behind the leaf you just inserted, and bring it across the cirlce through the sixth leaf.

Step 11: In that fashion, finish the bottom circle. Grasp one leaf and the opposite side leaf, then pull away from the bowl. Keep going with the same process, working in the direction that the leaves overlap at the center of the bowl.

Step 12: This step adjusts the star pattern at the bottom of the bowl. Star leaves tend to bend in the opposite direction than they should be going. Turn the bowl upright. Working from the inside and outside, hold a finger at the intersection of leaves and push upward on the star leaf from the bottom. Turn the bowl over. Working as before, pull on the opposite leaves to tighten a little at a time. Finish tightening until the bottom is flat with the circle.

Final step: Optional: Cut the tips of the leaves. To finish the bowl, weave the ends of the leaves and plait them outside the bowl. Cut off excess leaf ends.

Completed fruit basket!

Reference:

Morrison, R. & Healani, A. (2000). The Guide to Basket Weaving, Creative Weaving with Coconut Palms. 'Aiea, HI: Island Heritage Publishing.

Salas, A. Personal INTERVIEW. 26 March 2010.

Snapshots from my research

As part of my research, I've included snapshots on the indigenous use of coconut weaving, which requires much mathematical skills, and of which was used daily in Guam's past and is used only by a few Chamorros today. Enjoy the following images:

Pictured above: Chamorros showcase their coconut leaf baskets.

Source: Palms Press (1988)

Pictured above: Dignitaries are wearing coconut leaf hats.

Source: Palms Press (1988)

Pictured above: Temporary housing - Following liberation, the Military Government built temporary homes in Talofofo, Yona, Sinajana, Barrigada, Dededo, Toto, Agat, and Santa Rita. Top two photos are of the wood and thatched-roof homes built away from the refugee camps. Below the two photos: The temporary village of Agat.

Source: Sanchez (1988)

Pictured above: Late 1944: Homes had thatched roofs and wooden sidings. Late 1946: By 1946, tarpaulin had replaced thatched roofs. Late 1950: By 1950 corrugated tins had taken the place of thatched roofs and tarpaulin as Guamanians improved their homes.

Source: Sanchez (1988)

Pictured above: The construction of most houses was inexpensive, cool and easily replaceable after a typhoon.

Source: Farrell (1981)

Pictured above: Houses built from bamboo and coconut leaf were erected on stilts for ventilation.

Source: Farrell (1981)

Pictured above: Thatched roof houses with open bamboo walls housed large Guamanian families. Cooking was done outside, under a thatched canopy attached to the house.

Source: Farrell (1981)

Pictured above: A typical Guamanian village of the early 1900s showing the supporting pedestal and the thatched roof.

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Pictured above: A roof raising was a village affair. The women would weave the leaves and prepare the fiesta food for the men to eat after they finished lashing the woven coconut leaves onto the woven frame.

Source: Farrell (1981)

References:

Farrell, D. (1981). The Pictorial History of Guam, Guam: 1898-1918. Tamuning, GU: Micronesian Productions.

Sanchez, P. (1988). Guahan GUAM: The History of Our Island. Agana, GU: Sanchez Publishing House.

The Palms Press. Hafa Adai Guam, 1988-1989, A VISIT TO THE VILLAGES