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Utt
The Talaabwogh Falawel is the utt—a Carolinian canoe
shed and men's house—that traditionally stands by the sea in this
village. Though the utt is at this time pulled down for reconstruction,
our Guides discuss the importance of the utt to the village,
and Noel shows us an utt at the CNMI Museum. |
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Hotnu
Not far from the utt sits an old Chamorro-style brick oven
or hotnu. This design, originally drawn from the Spanish, represents
a site of distinct Chamorro influence within the village. Ben recounts
how the hotnu was used during special events in his childhood. |
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Church
Tanapag traditionally had one of only two churches on the island of
Saipan, and it used to be the main church. Despite changes over the
past few decades, the church in Tanapag still serves important roles
for the community. |
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Cemetery
Reflecting the Catholic influence in the village, the cemetery is nonetheless
the site of a distinct practice of watching for signs of the departure
of the deceased. Traditional protocols regarding the cemetery are also
discussed. |
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Managaha Island
Managaha is significant to Carolinians for two reasons. It is the burial
place of Aghurubw, a navigator who brought Carolinians to Saipan in
the early 1800s. For Tanapag people, however, Managaha is the site for
a funerary ritual called fiighiiló. |