Hurao
Encyclopedia
Hurao was a Chamorro
chief on the island of Guam
who led the resistance against Spanish
colonization efforts during the 17th century. The chief's name means "emotion, caring, attention, heed". Hurao may be best remembered for his 1671 speech to Chamorro warriors opposing the Spanish presence on Guam.
He organized a 40-day siege
of the Spanish Mission in Agana that was finally broken by Spanish soldiers. Hurao was captured, but released by Father San Vitores.
According to Russell's account of Father San Vitores' death, however, Hurao was in fact an accomplice to Matapang's 1672 murder of the priest.
Hurao was a member of the Matao/Chamorri, the highest caste
in Chamorro society and held the title maga'lahi.
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...
chief on 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...
who led the resistance against Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
colonization efforts during the 17th century. The chief's name means "emotion, caring, attention, heed". Hurao may be best remembered for his 1671 speech to Chamorro warriors opposing the Spanish presence on Guam.
He organized a 40-day siege
Siege
A siege is a military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by attrition or assault. The term derives from sedere, Latin for "to sit". Generally speaking, siege warfare is a form of constant, low intensity conflict characterized by one party holding a strong, static...
of the Spanish Mission in Agana that was finally broken by Spanish soldiers. Hurao was captured, but released by Father San Vitores.
According to Russell's account of Father San Vitores' death, however, Hurao was in fact an accomplice to Matapang's 1672 murder of the priest.
Hurao was a member of the Matao/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 society and held the title maga'lahi.
External links
- Chiefs: Hurao at Guampedia