Chief Kepuha
Encyclopedia
Chief Kepuha also spelled Kipuhá or Quipuha, was the island of Guam
's first Catholic
chief. The chief's name means "striving to capsize." He granted the lands to Spanish missionaries upon which the first Catholic church in the Marianas was built. Kepuha was a member of the Chamorri, the highest caste
in Chamorro
society, and lived in the village
of Hagåtña. As the elder maga'lahi, or high-ranking male, he could make important decisions with the consent of the highest ranking women, maga'hagas, in his clan.
Kepuha welcomed the first Spanish missionaries
to Guam in 1668. He allowed the Jesuit missionary, Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores to baptize him as Juan Kepuha and granted a large plot of land for building the first church on Guam, Dulce Nombre de Maria. Due to Guam's matrilineal society, the maga'haga of his clan must have had some decision on the granting of land.
Chief Kepuha died in 1669 of natural causes. Under the insistence of Padre San Vitores, he became the first Chamorro buried at the church site despite protests by Chamorro leaders who desired a traditional burial. This caused resentment among the Chamorros contributing to the outbreak of war within two years. A second Chief Kepuha, relative of the elder Juan Kepuha, would lead attacks against the Spanish and head negotiations.
Through Kepuha, the Spanish successfully established a strong foothold in the Marianas for the Manila
Galleon
Trade. Today the chief is honored by Chief Quipuha Park
in Hagåtña and is considered a great Chamorro leader. In 1990, Ricardo Bordallo
, former governor of Guam, committed suicide by chaining himself to a statue of Kepuha in the park and shooting himself. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C0CE6DC123CF932A35751C0A966958260&n=Top%2fNews%2fU%2eS%2e%2fU%2eS%2e%20States%2c%20Territories%20and%20Possessions%2fGuam
Chief Kepuha (? - February 2, 1669), also spelled Kipuhá or Quipuha, was the island of Guam
's first Catholic
chief. The chief's name means "striving to capsize." He granted the lands to Spanish missionaries upon which the first Catholic church in the Marianas was built. Kepuha was a member of the Chamorri, the highest caste
in Chamorro
society, and lived in the village
of Hagåtña. As the elder maga'lahi, or high-ranking male, he could make important decisions with the consent of the highest ranking women, maga'hagas, in his clan.
Kepuha welcomed the first Spanish missionaries
to Guam in 1668. He allowed the Jesuit missionary, Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores to baptize him as Juan Kepuha and granted a large plot of land for building the first church on Guam, Dulce Nombre de Maria. Due to Guam's matrilineal society, the maga'haga of his clan must have had some decision on the granting of land.
Chief Kepuha died in 1669 of natural causes. Under the insistence of Padre San Vitores, he became the first Chamorro buried at the church site despite protests by Chamorro leaders who desired a traditional burial. This caused resentment among the Chamorros contributing to the outbreak of war within two years. A second Chief Kepuha, relative of the elder Juan Kepuha, would lead attacks against the Spanish and head negotiations.
Through Kepuha, the Spanish successfully established a strong foothold in the Marianas for the Manila
Galleon
Trade. Today the chief is honored by Chief Quipuha Park
in Hagåtña and is considered a great Chamorro leader. In 1990, Ricardo Bordallo
, former governor of Guam, committed suicide by chaining himself to a statue of Kepuha in the park and shooting himself. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C0CE6DC123CF932A35751C0A966958260&n=Top%2fNews%2fU%2eS%2e%2fU%2eS%2e%20States%2c%20Territories%20and%20Possessions%2fGuam
Chief Kepuha (? - February 2, 1669), also spelled Kipuhá or Quipuha, was the island of Guam
's first Catholic
chief. The chief's name means "striving to capsize." He granted the lands to Spanish missionaries upon which the first Catholic church in the Marianas was built. Kepuha was a member of the Chamorri, the highest caste
in Chamorro
society, and lived in the village
of Hagåtña. As the elder maga'lahi, or high-ranking male, he could make important decisions with the consent of the highest ranking women, maga'hagas, in his clan.
Kepuha welcomed the first Spanish missionaries
to Guam in 1668. He allowed the Jesuit missionary, Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores to baptize him as Juan Kepuha and granted a large plot of land for building the first church on Guam, Dulce Nombre de Maria. Due to Guam's matrilineal society, the maga'haga of his clan must have had some decision on the granting of land.
Chief Kepuha died in 1669 of natural causes. Under the insistence of Padre San Vitores, he became the first Chamorro buried at the church site despite protests by Chamorro leaders who desired a traditional burial. This caused resentment among the Chamorros contributing to the outbreak of war within two years. A second Chief Kepuha, relative of the elder Juan Kepuha, would lead attacks against the Spanish and head negotiations.
Through Kepuha, the Spanish successfully established a strong foothold in the Marianas for the Manila
Galleon
Trade. Today the chief is honored by Chief Quipuha Park
in Hagåtña and is considered a great Chamorro leader. In 1990, Ricardo Bordallo
, former governor of Guam, committed suicide by chaining himself to a statue of Kepuha in the park and shooting himself. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C0CE6DC123CF932A35751C0A966958260&n=Top%2fNews%2fU%2eS%2e%2fU%2eS%2e%20States%2c%20Territories%20and%20Possessions%2fGuam
Chief Kepuha (? - February 2, 1669), also spelled Kipuhá or Quipuha, was the island of Guam
's first Catholic
chief. The chief's name means "striving to capsize." He granted the lands to Spanish missionaries upon which the first Catholic church in the Marianas was built. Kepuha was a member of the Chamorri, the highest caste
in Chamorro
society, and lived in the village
of Hagåtña. As the elder maga'lahi, or high-ranking male, he could make important decisions with the consent of the highest ranking women, maga'hagas, in his clan.
Kepuha welcomed the first Spanish missionaries
to Guam in 1668. He allowed the Jesuit missionary, Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores to baptize him as Juan Kepuha and granted a large plot of land for building the first church on Guam, Dulce Nombre de Maria. Due to Guam's matrilineal society, the maga'haga of his clan must have had some decision on the granting of land.
Chief Kepuha died in 1669 of natural causes. Under the insistence of Padre San Vitores, he became the first Chamorro buried at the church site despite protests by Chamorro leaders who desired a traditional burial. This caused resentment among the Chamorros contributing to the outbreak of war within two years. A second Chief Kepuha, relative of the elder Juan Kepuha, would lead attacks against the Spanish and head negotiations.
Through Kepuha, the Spanish successfully established a strong foothold in the Marianas for the Manila
Galleon
Trade. Today the chief is honored by Chief Quipuha Park
in Hagåtña and is considered a great Chamorro leader. In 1990, Ricardo Bordallo
, former governor of Guam, committed suicide by chaining himself to a statue of Kepuha in the park and shooting himself. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C0CE6DC123CF932A35751C0A966958260&n=Top%2fNews%2fU%2eS%2e%2fU%2eS%2e%20States%2c%20Territories%20and%20Possessions%2fGuam
Chief Kepuha (? - February 2, 1669), also spelled Kipuhá or Quipuha, was the island of Guam
's first Catholic
chief. The chief's name means "striving to capsize." He granted the lands to Spanish missionaries upon which the first Catholic church in the Marianas was built. Kepuha was a member of the Chamorri, the highest caste
in Chamorro
society, and lived in the village
of Hagåtña. As the elder maga'lahi, or high-ranking male, he could make important decisions with the consent of the highest ranking women, maga'hagas, in his clan.
Kepuha welcomed the first Spanish missionaries
to Guam in 1668. He allowed the Jesuit missionary, Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores to baptize him as Juan Kepuha and granted a large plot of land for building the first church on Guam, Dulce Nombre de Maria. Due to Guam's matrilineal society, the maga'haga of his clan must have had some decision on the granting of land.
Chief Kepuha died in 1669 of natural causes. Under the insistence of Padre San Vitores, he became the first Chamorro buried at the church site despite protests by Chamorro leaders who desired a traditional burial. This caused resentment among the Chamorros contributing to the outbreak of war within two years. A second Chief Kepuha, relative of the elder Juan Kepuha, would lead attacks against the Spanish and head negotiations.
Through Kepuha, the Spanish successfully established a strong foothold in the Marianas for the Manila
Galleon
Trade. Today the chief is honored by Chief Quipuha Park
in Hagåtña and is considered a great Chamorro leader. In 1990, Ricardo Bordallo
, former governor of Guam, committed suicide by chaining himself to a statue of Kepuha in the park and shooting himself. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C0CE6DC123CF932A35751C0A966958260&n=Top%2fNews%2fU%2eS%2e%2fU%2eS%2e%20States%2c%20Territories%20and%20Possessions%2fGuam
Chief Kepuha (? - February 2, 1669), also spelled Kipuhá or Quipuha, was the island of Guam
's first Catholic
chief. The chief's name means "striving to capsize." He granted the lands to Spanish missionaries upon which the first Catholic church in the Marianas was built. Kepuha was a member of the Chamorri, the highest caste
in Chamorro
society, and lived in the village
of Hagåtña. As the elder maga'lahi, or high-ranking male, he could make important decisions with the consent of the highest ranking women, maga'hagas, in his clan.
Kepuha welcomed the first Spanish missionaries
to Guam in 1668. He allowed the Jesuit missionary, Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores to baptize him as Juan Kepuha and granted a large plot of land for building the first church on Guam, Dulce Nombre de Maria. Due to Guam's matrilineal society, the maga'haga of his clan must have had some decision on the granting of land.
Chief Kepuha died in 1669 of natural causes. Under the insistence of Padre San Vitores, he became the first Chamorro buried at the church site despite protests by Chamorro leaders who desired a traditional burial. This caused resentment among the Chamorros contributing to the outbreak of war within two years. A second Chief Kepuha, relative of the elder Juan Kepuha, would lead attacks against the Spanish and head negotiations.
Through Kepuha, the Spanish successfully established a strong foothold in the Marianas for the Manila
Galleon
Trade. Today the chief is honored by Chief Quipuha Park
in Hagåtña and is considered a great Chamorro leader. In 1990, Ricardo Bordallo
, former governor of Guam, committed suicide by chaining himself to a statue of Kepuha in the park and shooting himself. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C0CE6DC123CF932A35751C0A966958260&n=Top%2fNews%2fU%2eS%2e%2fU%2eS%2e%20States%2c%20Territories%20and%20Possessions%2fGuam
Chief Kepuha (? - February 2, 1669), also spelled Kipuhá or Quipuha, was the island of Guam
's first Catholic
chief. The chief's name means "striving to capsize." He granted the lands to Spanish missionaries upon which the first Catholic church in the Marianas was built. Kepuha was a member of the Chamorri, the highest caste
in Chamorro
society, and lived in the village
of Hagåtña. As the elder maga'lahi, or high-ranking male, he could make important decisions with the consent of the highest ranking women, maga'hagas, in his clan.
Kepuha welcomed the first Spanish missionaries
to Guam in 1668. He allowed the Jesuit missionary, Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores to baptize him as Juan Kepuha and granted a large plot of land for building the first church on Guam, Dulce Nombre de Maria. Due to Guam's matrilineal society, the maga'haga of his clan must have had some decision on the granting of land.
Chief Kepuha died in 1669 of natural causes. Under the insistence of Padre San Vitores, he became the first Chamorro buried at the church site despite protests by Chamorro leaders who desired a traditional burial. This caused resentment among the Chamorros contributing to the outbreak of war within two years. A second Chief Kepuha, relative of the elder Juan Kepuha, would lead attacks against the Spanish and head negotiations.
Through Kepuha, the Spanish successfully established a strong foothold in the Marianas for the Manila
Galleon
Trade. Today the chief is honored by Chief Quipuha Park
in Hagåtña and is considered a great Chamorro leader. In 1990, Ricardo Bordallo
, former governor of Guam, committed suicide by chaining himself to a statue of Kepuha in the park and shooting himself. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C0CE6DC123CF932A35751C0A966958260&n=Top%2fNews%2fU%2eS%2e%2fU%2eS%2e%20States%2c%20Territories%20and%20Possessions%2fGuam
Chief Kepuha (? - February 2, 1669), also spelled Kipuhá or Quipuha, was the island of Guam
's first Catholic
chief. The chief's name means "striving to capsize." He granted the lands to Spanish missionaries upon which the first Catholic church in the Marianas was built. Kepuha was a member of the Chamorri, the highest caste
in Chamorro
society, and lived in the village
of Hagåtña. As the elder maga'lahi, or high-ranking male, he could make important decisions with the consent of the highest ranking women, maga'hagas, in his clan.
Kepuha welcomed the first Spanish missionaries
to Guam in 1668. He allowed the Jesuit missionary, Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores to baptize him as Juan Kepuha and granted a large plot of land for building the first church on Guam, Dulce Nombre de Maria. Due to Guam's matrilineal society, the maga'haga of his clan must have had some decision on the granting of land.
Chief Kepuha died in 1669 of natural causes. Under the insistence of Padre San Vitores, he became the first Chamorro buried at the church site despite protests by Chamorro leaders who desired a traditional burial. This caused resentment among the Chamorros contributing to the outbreak of war within two years. A second Chief Kepuha, relative of the elder Juan Kepuha, would lead attacks against the Spanish and head negotiations.
Through Kepuha, the Spanish successfully established a strong foothold in the Marianas for the Manila
Galleon
Trade. Today the chief is honored by Chief Quipuha Park
in Hagåtña and is considered a great Chamorro leader. In 1990, Ricardo Bordallo
, former governor of Guam, committed suicide by chaining himself to a statue of Kepuha in the park and shooting himself. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C0CE6DC123CF932A35751C0A966958260&n=Top%2fNews%2fU%2eS%2e%2fU%2eS%2e%20States%2c%20Territories%20and%20Possessions%2fGuam
Chief Kepuha (? - February 2, 1669), also spelled Kipuhá or Quipuha, was the island of Guam
's first Catholic
chief. The chief's name means "striving to capsize." He granted the lands to Spanish missionaries upon which the first Catholic church in the Marianas was built. Kepuha was a member of the Chamorri, the highest caste
in Chamorro
society, and lived in the village
of Hagåtña. As the elder maga'lahi, or high-ranking male, he could make important decisions with the consent of the highest ranking women, maga'hagas, in his clan.
Kepuha welcomed the first Spanish missionaries
to Guam in 1668. He allowed the Jesuit missionary, Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores to baptize him as Juan Kepuha and granted a large plot of land for building the first church on Guam, Dulce Nombre de Maria. Due to Guam's matrilineal society, the maga'haga of his clan must have had some decision on the granting of land.
Chief Kepuha died in 1669 of natural causes. Under the insistence of Padre San Vitores, he became the first Chamorro buried at the church site despite protests by Chamorro leaders who desired a traditional burial. This caused resentment among the Chamorros contributing to the outbreak of war within two years. A second Chief Kepuha, relative of the elder Juan Kepuha, would lead attacks against the Spanish and head negotiations.
Through Kepuha, the Spanish successfully established a strong foothold in the Marianas for the Manila
Galleon
Trade. Today the chief is honored by Chief Quipuha Park
in Hagåtña and is considered a great Chamorro leader. In 1990, Ricardo Bordallo
, former governor of Guam, committed suicide by chaining himself to a statue of Kepuha in the park and shooting himself. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C0CE6DC123CF932A35751C0A966958260&n=Top%2fNews%2fU%2eS%2e%2fU%2eS%2e%20States%2c%20Territories%20and%20Possessions%2fGuam
Image:Chief Kepuha.JPG|Kepuha Statue, Hagåtña
Image:KepuhaPlaque.JPG|Plaque on the Kepuha Statue
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
's first Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
chief. The chief's name means "striving to capsize." He granted the lands to Spanish missionaries upon which the first Catholic church in the Marianas was built. Kepuha was a member of the Chamorri, the highest caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
in Chamorro
Chamorros
The Chamorro people, or Chamoru people, are the indigenous peoples of the Mariana Islands, which include the American territory of Guam and the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Micronesia. Today, significant Chamoru populations also exist in several U.S. states...
society, and lived in the village
Villages of Guam
||The United States territory of Guam is divided into 19 municipalities more commonly called villages. Each municipality is governed by an elected mayor. Village populations range in size from under 1,000 to over 40,000. As of the 2000 census, the total population of Guam was 154,805. - History...
of Hagåtña. As the elder maga'lahi, or high-ranking male, he could make important decisions with the consent of the highest ranking women, maga'hagas, in his clan.
Kepuha welcomed the first Spanish missionaries
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
to Guam in 1668. He allowed the Jesuit missionary, Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores to baptize him as Juan Kepuha and granted a large plot of land for building the first church on Guam, Dulce Nombre de Maria. Due to Guam's matrilineal society, the maga'haga of his clan must have had some decision on the granting of land.
Chief Kepuha died in 1669 of natural causes. Under the insistence of Padre San Vitores, he became the first Chamorro buried at the church site despite protests by Chamorro leaders who desired a traditional burial. This caused resentment among the Chamorros contributing to the outbreak of war within two years. A second Chief Kepuha, relative of the elder Juan Kepuha, would lead attacks against the Spanish and head negotiations.
Through Kepuha, the Spanish successfully established a strong foothold in the Marianas for the Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
Galleon
Galleon
A galleon was a large, multi-decked sailing ship used primarily by European states from the 16th to 18th centuries. Whether used for war or commerce, they were generally armed with the demi-culverin type of cannon.-Etymology:...
Trade. Today the chief is honored by Chief Quipuha Park
Chief Quipuha Park
Chief Quipuha Park is located on the Paseo de Susana peninsula, in the north of the city of Agana, Guam. Like the rest of the peninsula, it was created after World War II, based on bulldozed debris from the ruined city. It is named for Chief Quipuha, the highest ranking chief in the area at the...
in Hagåtña and is considered a great Chamorro leader. In 1990, Ricardo Bordallo
Ricardo Bordallo
Ricardo Jerome "Ricky" Bordallo , U.S. Democratic Party politician, He served as Governor of Guam from 1975 to 1979 and from 1983 to 1987.- Early life :...
, former governor of Guam, committed suicide by chaining himself to a statue of Kepuha in the park and shooting himself. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C0CE6DC123CF932A35751C0A966958260&n=Top%2fNews%2fU%2eS%2e%2fU%2eS%2e%20States%2c%20Territories%20and%20Possessions%2fGuam
Chief Kepuha (? - February 2, 1669), also spelled Kipuhá or Quipuha, was the island of Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
's first Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
chief. The chief's name means "striving to capsize." He granted the lands to Spanish missionaries upon which the first Catholic church in the Marianas was built. Kepuha was a member of the Chamorri, the highest caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
in Chamorro
Chamorros
The Chamorro people, or Chamoru people, are the indigenous peoples of the Mariana Islands, which include the American territory of Guam and the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Micronesia. Today, significant Chamoru populations also exist in several U.S. states...
society, and lived in the village
Villages of Guam
||The United States territory of Guam is divided into 19 municipalities more commonly called villages. Each municipality is governed by an elected mayor. Village populations range in size from under 1,000 to over 40,000. As of the 2000 census, the total population of Guam was 154,805. - History...
of Hagåtña. As the elder maga'lahi, or high-ranking male, he could make important decisions with the consent of the highest ranking women, maga'hagas, in his clan.
Kepuha welcomed the first Spanish missionaries
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
to Guam in 1668. He allowed the Jesuit missionary, Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores to baptize him as Juan Kepuha and granted a large plot of land for building the first church on Guam, Dulce Nombre de Maria. Due to Guam's matrilineal society, the maga'haga of his clan must have had some decision on the granting of land.
Chief Kepuha died in 1669 of natural causes. Under the insistence of Padre San Vitores, he became the first Chamorro buried at the church site despite protests by Chamorro leaders who desired a traditional burial. This caused resentment among the Chamorros contributing to the outbreak of war within two years. A second Chief Kepuha, relative of the elder Juan Kepuha, would lead attacks against the Spanish and head negotiations.
Through Kepuha, the Spanish successfully established a strong foothold in the Marianas for the Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
Galleon
Galleon
A galleon was a large, multi-decked sailing ship used primarily by European states from the 16th to 18th centuries. Whether used for war or commerce, they were generally armed with the demi-culverin type of cannon.-Etymology:...
Trade. Today the chief is honored by Chief Quipuha Park
Chief Quipuha Park
Chief Quipuha Park is located on the Paseo de Susana peninsula, in the north of the city of Agana, Guam. Like the rest of the peninsula, it was created after World War II, based on bulldozed debris from the ruined city. It is named for Chief Quipuha, the highest ranking chief in the area at the...
in Hagåtña and is considered a great Chamorro leader. In 1990, Ricardo Bordallo
Ricardo Bordallo
Ricardo Jerome "Ricky" Bordallo , U.S. Democratic Party politician, He served as Governor of Guam from 1975 to 1979 and from 1983 to 1987.- Early life :...
, former governor of Guam, committed suicide by chaining himself to a statue of Kepuha in the park and shooting himself. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C0CE6DC123CF932A35751C0A966958260&n=Top%2fNews%2fU%2eS%2e%2fU%2eS%2e%20States%2c%20Territories%20and%20Possessions%2fGuam
Chief Kepuha (? - February 2, 1669), also spelled Kipuhá or Quipuha, was the island of Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
's first Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
chief. The chief's name means "striving to capsize." He granted the lands to Spanish missionaries upon which the first Catholic church in the Marianas was built. Kepuha was a member of the Chamorri, the highest caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
in Chamorro
Chamorros
The Chamorro people, or Chamoru people, are the indigenous peoples of the Mariana Islands, which include the American territory of Guam and the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Micronesia. Today, significant Chamoru populations also exist in several U.S. states...
society, and lived in the village
Villages of Guam
||The United States territory of Guam is divided into 19 municipalities more commonly called villages. Each municipality is governed by an elected mayor. Village populations range in size from under 1,000 to over 40,000. As of the 2000 census, the total population of Guam was 154,805. - History...
of Hagåtña. As the elder maga'lahi, or high-ranking male, he could make important decisions with the consent of the highest ranking women, maga'hagas, in his clan.
Kepuha welcomed the first Spanish missionaries
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
to Guam in 1668. He allowed the Jesuit missionary, Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores to baptize him as Juan Kepuha and granted a large plot of land for building the first church on Guam, Dulce Nombre de Maria. Due to Guam's matrilineal society, the maga'haga of his clan must have had some decision on the granting of land.
Chief Kepuha died in 1669 of natural causes. Under the insistence of Padre San Vitores, he became the first Chamorro buried at the church site despite protests by Chamorro leaders who desired a traditional burial. This caused resentment among the Chamorros contributing to the outbreak of war within two years. A second Chief Kepuha, relative of the elder Juan Kepuha, would lead attacks against the Spanish and head negotiations.
Through Kepuha, the Spanish successfully established a strong foothold in the Marianas for the Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
Galleon
Galleon
A galleon was a large, multi-decked sailing ship used primarily by European states from the 16th to 18th centuries. Whether used for war or commerce, they were generally armed with the demi-culverin type of cannon.-Etymology:...
Trade. Today the chief is honored by Chief Quipuha Park
Chief Quipuha Park
Chief Quipuha Park is located on the Paseo de Susana peninsula, in the north of the city of Agana, Guam. Like the rest of the peninsula, it was created after World War II, based on bulldozed debris from the ruined city. It is named for Chief Quipuha, the highest ranking chief in the area at the...
in Hagåtña and is considered a great Chamorro leader. In 1990, Ricardo Bordallo
Ricardo Bordallo
Ricardo Jerome "Ricky" Bordallo , U.S. Democratic Party politician, He served as Governor of Guam from 1975 to 1979 and from 1983 to 1987.- Early life :...
, former governor of Guam, committed suicide by chaining himself to a statue of Kepuha in the park and shooting himself. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C0CE6DC123CF932A35751C0A966958260&n=Top%2fNews%2fU%2eS%2e%2fU%2eS%2e%20States%2c%20Territories%20and%20Possessions%2fGuam
Chief Kepuha (? - February 2, 1669), also spelled Kipuhá or Quipuha, was the island of Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
's first Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
chief. The chief's name means "striving to capsize." He granted the lands to Spanish missionaries upon which the first Catholic church in the Marianas was built. Kepuha was a member of the Chamorri, the highest caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
in Chamorro
Chamorros
The Chamorro people, or Chamoru people, are the indigenous peoples of the Mariana Islands, which include the American territory of Guam and the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Micronesia. Today, significant Chamoru populations also exist in several U.S. states...
society, and lived in the village
Villages of Guam
||The United States territory of Guam is divided into 19 municipalities more commonly called villages. Each municipality is governed by an elected mayor. Village populations range in size from under 1,000 to over 40,000. As of the 2000 census, the total population of Guam was 154,805. - History...
of Hagåtña. As the elder maga'lahi, or high-ranking male, he could make important decisions with the consent of the highest ranking women, maga'hagas, in his clan.
Kepuha welcomed the first Spanish missionaries
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
to Guam in 1668. He allowed the Jesuit missionary, Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores to baptize him as Juan Kepuha and granted a large plot of land for building the first church on Guam, Dulce Nombre de Maria. Due to Guam's matrilineal society, the maga'haga of his clan must have had some decision on the granting of land.
Chief Kepuha died in 1669 of natural causes. Under the insistence of Padre San Vitores, he became the first Chamorro buried at the church site despite protests by Chamorro leaders who desired a traditional burial. This caused resentment among the Chamorros contributing to the outbreak of war within two years. A second Chief Kepuha, relative of the elder Juan Kepuha, would lead attacks against the Spanish and head negotiations.
Through Kepuha, the Spanish successfully established a strong foothold in the Marianas for the Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
Galleon
Galleon
A galleon was a large, multi-decked sailing ship used primarily by European states from the 16th to 18th centuries. Whether used for war or commerce, they were generally armed with the demi-culverin type of cannon.-Etymology:...
Trade. Today the chief is honored by Chief Quipuha Park
Chief Quipuha Park
Chief Quipuha Park is located on the Paseo de Susana peninsula, in the north of the city of Agana, Guam. Like the rest of the peninsula, it was created after World War II, based on bulldozed debris from the ruined city. It is named for Chief Quipuha, the highest ranking chief in the area at the...
in Hagåtña and is considered a great Chamorro leader. In 1990, Ricardo Bordallo
Ricardo Bordallo
Ricardo Jerome "Ricky" Bordallo , U.S. Democratic Party politician, He served as Governor of Guam from 1975 to 1979 and from 1983 to 1987.- Early life :...
, former governor of Guam, committed suicide by chaining himself to a statue of Kepuha in the park and shooting himself. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C0CE6DC123CF932A35751C0A966958260&n=Top%2fNews%2fU%2eS%2e%2fU%2eS%2e%20States%2c%20Territories%20and%20Possessions%2fGuam
Chief Kepuha (? - February 2, 1669), also spelled Kipuhá or Quipuha, was the island of Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
's first Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
chief. The chief's name means "striving to capsize." He granted the lands to Spanish missionaries upon which the first Catholic church in the Marianas was built. Kepuha was a member of the Chamorri, the highest caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
in Chamorro
Chamorros
The Chamorro people, or Chamoru people, are the indigenous peoples of the Mariana Islands, which include the American territory of Guam and the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Micronesia. Today, significant Chamoru populations also exist in several U.S. states...
society, and lived in the village
Villages of Guam
||The United States territory of Guam is divided into 19 municipalities more commonly called villages. Each municipality is governed by an elected mayor. Village populations range in size from under 1,000 to over 40,000. As of the 2000 census, the total population of Guam was 154,805. - History...
of Hagåtña. As the elder maga'lahi, or high-ranking male, he could make important decisions with the consent of the highest ranking women, maga'hagas, in his clan.
Kepuha welcomed the first Spanish missionaries
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
to Guam in 1668. He allowed the Jesuit missionary, Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores to baptize him as Juan Kepuha and granted a large plot of land for building the first church on Guam, Dulce Nombre de Maria. Due to Guam's matrilineal society, the maga'haga of his clan must have had some decision on the granting of land.
Chief Kepuha died in 1669 of natural causes. Under the insistence of Padre San Vitores, he became the first Chamorro buried at the church site despite protests by Chamorro leaders who desired a traditional burial. This caused resentment among the Chamorros contributing to the outbreak of war within two years. A second Chief Kepuha, relative of the elder Juan Kepuha, would lead attacks against the Spanish and head negotiations.
Through Kepuha, the Spanish successfully established a strong foothold in the Marianas for the Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
Galleon
Galleon
A galleon was a large, multi-decked sailing ship used primarily by European states from the 16th to 18th centuries. Whether used for war or commerce, they were generally armed with the demi-culverin type of cannon.-Etymology:...
Trade. Today the chief is honored by Chief Quipuha Park
Chief Quipuha Park
Chief Quipuha Park is located on the Paseo de Susana peninsula, in the north of the city of Agana, Guam. Like the rest of the peninsula, it was created after World War II, based on bulldozed debris from the ruined city. It is named for Chief Quipuha, the highest ranking chief in the area at the...
in Hagåtña and is considered a great Chamorro leader. In 1990, Ricardo Bordallo
Ricardo Bordallo
Ricardo Jerome "Ricky" Bordallo , U.S. Democratic Party politician, He served as Governor of Guam from 1975 to 1979 and from 1983 to 1987.- Early life :...
, former governor of Guam, committed suicide by chaining himself to a statue of Kepuha in the park and shooting himself. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C0CE6DC123CF932A35751C0A966958260&n=Top%2fNews%2fU%2eS%2e%2fU%2eS%2e%20States%2c%20Territories%20and%20Possessions%2fGuam
Chief Kepuha (? - February 2, 1669), also spelled Kipuhá or Quipuha, was the island of Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
's first Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
chief. The chief's name means "striving to capsize." He granted the lands to Spanish missionaries upon which the first Catholic church in the Marianas was built. Kepuha was a member of the Chamorri, the highest caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
in Chamorro
Chamorros
The Chamorro people, or Chamoru people, are the indigenous peoples of the Mariana Islands, which include the American territory of Guam and the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Micronesia. Today, significant Chamoru populations also exist in several U.S. states...
society, and lived in the village
Villages of Guam
||The United States territory of Guam is divided into 19 municipalities more commonly called villages. Each municipality is governed by an elected mayor. Village populations range in size from under 1,000 to over 40,000. As of the 2000 census, the total population of Guam was 154,805. - History...
of Hagåtña. As the elder maga'lahi, or high-ranking male, he could make important decisions with the consent of the highest ranking women, maga'hagas, in his clan.
Kepuha welcomed the first Spanish missionaries
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
to Guam in 1668. He allowed the Jesuit missionary, Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores to baptize him as Juan Kepuha and granted a large plot of land for building the first church on Guam, Dulce Nombre de Maria. Due to Guam's matrilineal society, the maga'haga of his clan must have had some decision on the granting of land.
Chief Kepuha died in 1669 of natural causes. Under the insistence of Padre San Vitores, he became the first Chamorro buried at the church site despite protests by Chamorro leaders who desired a traditional burial. This caused resentment among the Chamorros contributing to the outbreak of war within two years. A second Chief Kepuha, relative of the elder Juan Kepuha, would lead attacks against the Spanish and head negotiations.
Through Kepuha, the Spanish successfully established a strong foothold in the Marianas for the Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
Galleon
Galleon
A galleon was a large, multi-decked sailing ship used primarily by European states from the 16th to 18th centuries. Whether used for war or commerce, they were generally armed with the demi-culverin type of cannon.-Etymology:...
Trade. Today the chief is honored by Chief Quipuha Park
Chief Quipuha Park
Chief Quipuha Park is located on the Paseo de Susana peninsula, in the north of the city of Agana, Guam. Like the rest of the peninsula, it was created after World War II, based on bulldozed debris from the ruined city. It is named for Chief Quipuha, the highest ranking chief in the area at the...
in Hagåtña and is considered a great Chamorro leader. In 1990, Ricardo Bordallo
Ricardo Bordallo
Ricardo Jerome "Ricky" Bordallo , U.S. Democratic Party politician, He served as Governor of Guam from 1975 to 1979 and from 1983 to 1987.- Early life :...
, former governor of Guam, committed suicide by chaining himself to a statue of Kepuha in the park and shooting himself. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C0CE6DC123CF932A35751C0A966958260&n=Top%2fNews%2fU%2eS%2e%2fU%2eS%2e%20States%2c%20Territories%20and%20Possessions%2fGuam
Chief Kepuha (? - February 2, 1669), also spelled Kipuhá or Quipuha, was the island of Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
's first Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
chief. The chief's name means "striving to capsize." He granted the lands to Spanish missionaries upon which the first Catholic church in the Marianas was built. Kepuha was a member of the Chamorri, the highest caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
in Chamorro
Chamorros
The Chamorro people, or Chamoru people, are the indigenous peoples of the Mariana Islands, which include the American territory of Guam and the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Micronesia. Today, significant Chamoru populations also exist in several U.S. states...
society, and lived in the village
Villages of Guam
||The United States territory of Guam is divided into 19 municipalities more commonly called villages. Each municipality is governed by an elected mayor. Village populations range in size from under 1,000 to over 40,000. As of the 2000 census, the total population of Guam was 154,805. - History...
of Hagåtña. As the elder maga'lahi, or high-ranking male, he could make important decisions with the consent of the highest ranking women, maga'hagas, in his clan.
Kepuha welcomed the first Spanish missionaries
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
to Guam in 1668. He allowed the Jesuit missionary, Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores to baptize him as Juan Kepuha and granted a large plot of land for building the first church on Guam, Dulce Nombre de Maria. Due to Guam's matrilineal society, the maga'haga of his clan must have had some decision on the granting of land.
Chief Kepuha died in 1669 of natural causes. Under the insistence of Padre San Vitores, he became the first Chamorro buried at the church site despite protests by Chamorro leaders who desired a traditional burial. This caused resentment among the Chamorros contributing to the outbreak of war within two years. A second Chief Kepuha, relative of the elder Juan Kepuha, would lead attacks against the Spanish and head negotiations.
Through Kepuha, the Spanish successfully established a strong foothold in the Marianas for the Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
Galleon
Galleon
A galleon was a large, multi-decked sailing ship used primarily by European states from the 16th to 18th centuries. Whether used for war or commerce, they were generally armed with the demi-culverin type of cannon.-Etymology:...
Trade. Today the chief is honored by Chief Quipuha Park
Chief Quipuha Park
Chief Quipuha Park is located on the Paseo de Susana peninsula, in the north of the city of Agana, Guam. Like the rest of the peninsula, it was created after World War II, based on bulldozed debris from the ruined city. It is named for Chief Quipuha, the highest ranking chief in the area at the...
in Hagåtña and is considered a great Chamorro leader. In 1990, Ricardo Bordallo
Ricardo Bordallo
Ricardo Jerome "Ricky" Bordallo , U.S. Democratic Party politician, He served as Governor of Guam from 1975 to 1979 and from 1983 to 1987.- Early life :...
, former governor of Guam, committed suicide by chaining himself to a statue of Kepuha in the park and shooting himself. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C0CE6DC123CF932A35751C0A966958260&n=Top%2fNews%2fU%2eS%2e%2fU%2eS%2e%20States%2c%20Territories%20and%20Possessions%2fGuam
Chief Kepuha (? - February 2, 1669), also spelled Kipuhá or Quipuha, was the island of Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
's first Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
chief. The chief's name means "striving to capsize." He granted the lands to Spanish missionaries upon which the first Catholic church in the Marianas was built. Kepuha was a member of the Chamorri, the highest caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
in Chamorro
Chamorros
The Chamorro people, or Chamoru people, are the indigenous peoples of the Mariana Islands, which include the American territory of Guam and the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Micronesia. Today, significant Chamoru populations also exist in several U.S. states...
society, and lived in the village
Villages of Guam
||The United States territory of Guam is divided into 19 municipalities more commonly called villages. Each municipality is governed by an elected mayor. Village populations range in size from under 1,000 to over 40,000. As of the 2000 census, the total population of Guam was 154,805. - History...
of Hagåtña. As the elder maga'lahi, or high-ranking male, he could make important decisions with the consent of the highest ranking women, maga'hagas, in his clan.
Kepuha welcomed the first Spanish missionaries
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
to Guam in 1668. He allowed the Jesuit missionary, Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores to baptize him as Juan Kepuha and granted a large plot of land for building the first church on Guam, Dulce Nombre de Maria. Due to Guam's matrilineal society, the maga'haga of his clan must have had some decision on the granting of land.
Chief Kepuha died in 1669 of natural causes. Under the insistence of Padre San Vitores, he became the first Chamorro buried at the church site despite protests by Chamorro leaders who desired a traditional burial. This caused resentment among the Chamorros contributing to the outbreak of war within two years. A second Chief Kepuha, relative of the elder Juan Kepuha, would lead attacks against the Spanish and head negotiations.
Through Kepuha, the Spanish successfully established a strong foothold in the Marianas for the Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
Galleon
Galleon
A galleon was a large, multi-decked sailing ship used primarily by European states from the 16th to 18th centuries. Whether used for war or commerce, they were generally armed with the demi-culverin type of cannon.-Etymology:...
Trade. Today the chief is honored by Chief Quipuha Park
Chief Quipuha Park
Chief Quipuha Park is located on the Paseo de Susana peninsula, in the north of the city of Agana, Guam. Like the rest of the peninsula, it was created after World War II, based on bulldozed debris from the ruined city. It is named for Chief Quipuha, the highest ranking chief in the area at the...
in Hagåtña and is considered a great Chamorro leader. In 1990, Ricardo Bordallo
Ricardo Bordallo
Ricardo Jerome "Ricky" Bordallo , U.S. Democratic Party politician, He served as Governor of Guam from 1975 to 1979 and from 1983 to 1987.- Early life :...
, former governor of Guam, committed suicide by chaining himself to a statue of Kepuha in the park and shooting himself. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C0CE6DC123CF932A35751C0A966958260&n=Top%2fNews%2fU%2eS%2e%2fU%2eS%2e%20States%2c%20Territories%20and%20Possessions%2fGuam
Chief Kepuha (? - February 2, 1669), also spelled Kipuhá or Quipuha, was the island of Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
's first Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
chief. The chief's name means "striving to capsize." He granted the lands to Spanish missionaries upon which the first Catholic church in the Marianas was built. Kepuha was a member of the Chamorri, the highest caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
in Chamorro
Chamorros
The Chamorro people, or Chamoru people, are the indigenous peoples of the Mariana Islands, which include the American territory of Guam and the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Micronesia. Today, significant Chamoru populations also exist in several U.S. states...
society, and lived in the village
Villages of Guam
||The United States territory of Guam is divided into 19 municipalities more commonly called villages. Each municipality is governed by an elected mayor. Village populations range in size from under 1,000 to over 40,000. As of the 2000 census, the total population of Guam was 154,805. - History...
of Hagåtña. As the elder maga'lahi, or high-ranking male, he could make important decisions with the consent of the highest ranking women, maga'hagas, in his clan.
Kepuha welcomed the first Spanish missionaries
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
to Guam in 1668. He allowed the Jesuit missionary, Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores to baptize him as Juan Kepuha and granted a large plot of land for building the first church on Guam, Dulce Nombre de Maria. Due to Guam's matrilineal society, the maga'haga of his clan must have had some decision on the granting of land.
Chief Kepuha died in 1669 of natural causes. Under the insistence of Padre San Vitores, he became the first Chamorro buried at the church site despite protests by Chamorro leaders who desired a traditional burial. This caused resentment among the Chamorros contributing to the outbreak of war within two years. A second Chief Kepuha, relative of the elder Juan Kepuha, would lead attacks against the Spanish and head negotiations.
Through Kepuha, the Spanish successfully established a strong foothold in the Marianas for the Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
Galleon
Galleon
A galleon was a large, multi-decked sailing ship used primarily by European states from the 16th to 18th centuries. Whether used for war or commerce, they were generally armed with the demi-culverin type of cannon.-Etymology:...
Trade. Today the chief is honored by Chief Quipuha Park
Chief Quipuha Park
Chief Quipuha Park is located on the Paseo de Susana peninsula, in the north of the city of Agana, Guam. Like the rest of the peninsula, it was created after World War II, based on bulldozed debris from the ruined city. It is named for Chief Quipuha, the highest ranking chief in the area at the...
in Hagåtña and is considered a great Chamorro leader. In 1990, Ricardo Bordallo
Ricardo Bordallo
Ricardo Jerome "Ricky" Bordallo , U.S. Democratic Party politician, He served as Governor of Guam from 1975 to 1979 and from 1983 to 1987.- Early life :...
, former governor of Guam, committed suicide by chaining himself to a statue of Kepuha in the park and shooting himself. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C0CE6DC123CF932A35751C0A966958260&n=Top%2fNews%2fU%2eS%2e%2fU%2eS%2e%20States%2c%20Territories%20and%20Possessions%2fGuam
Image:Chief Kepuha.JPG|Kepuha Statue, Hagåtña
Image:KepuhaPlaque.JPG|Plaque on the Kepuha Statue