Si Maga'låhi Gadao

This legend of Gådao is an intriguing one.

In some ways it fits the mold perfectly for a Chamorro legend.

In other ways it feels different, like something borrowed from a Greek legend perhaps.

One thing that stands out is the idea of Gådao becoming a Maga'låhi or a king for the entire island.

This stands in contrast to much of what we know about ancient Chamorro culture.

Where they seemed to be like most indigenous people, where they had a society were power was actively distributed and made diffuse to prevent anyone from dominating too much over others.

Although the emphasis on great accomplishments bringing one great social standing feels very appropriate.

If I had to guess about the origin of this story, it seems in some way like a legend made by a Chamorro during the Spanish period, meant to reflect the greatness of their ancient past.

Gådao existed in some form for sure, and perhaps the legend of him and Malagua'i or Malaguaña is an older form.

But this one seems a bit out of place. Especially when you combine the analysis with other variations of it whereby the failure of Gådao and his sons to build a seawall results in the island being conquered by outsiders.


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Si Maga’låhi Gådao 

Åntes tåtte na hinanao pulan, guaha un yomsan taotao, metgogot yan taima’å’ñao ya mafa’nana’an gue’, Gådao.  Guiya i maga’låhi giya Inalåhan na songsong.

Un diha, humånao pumeska yan i mangga’chong-ña giya Humåtak.  Annai esta meggagai kinine’-ñiha guihan ya para guatu esta tåtte gi kanton tåsi, ma li’e’ na guaha un dångkolo na halu’u na tumalakguaguatu giya siha.  Ensigidas, tumohge si Gådao ya gotpe ha’, ha håtsa i anåkko tekchå-ña, ya ha tokcha i dangkolo yan dadao na halu’u ni’ minetgot fuetså-ña.  Ensigidas ha’ måtai i halu’u.

Ma hungok este na estoria ni’ pumalu na maga’låhi para i entereru i islan Guåhan.  Meggai ti humongge na magåhet este na estoria put i minetgot-ña.

Mandanña i pumalu siha na maga’låhi gi sengsong siha ya ilek-ñiha na kumu para guiya u i etmas takhelo’ na må’gas, pues u nisisita u kumple tres na ginagågao-ñiha.

I unu, para u nanguyi i entereru i isla singkuenta biåhi sin pumåra.

I mina’dos, na para u tomba påpa’ un tronkyon niyok ni’ un kånnai, ya u ipe’ ni’ mås meggagai na pidåsu siha.

Ya i uttemo na ginagåo, na para u pannas påpa’ i etmas takhelo’ na sabåna gi isla.

Ensigidas, ha aksepta ha’ si Gådao todu i tinago-ñiha, ya ha kumple todu i ginagåo gi tres dihas. 

Guiya ha fine’nana numanguyi i enteru i isla singkuenta biåhi sen håfafa’ na prublema.  Parehu ha’ lokkue’ bidå-ña ni tronkyon niyok yan i sabåna.

 Desde på’go, ma såsangan na siña ha’ li’e’ i un troson åcho’ ginen i sabånan Lamlam, na a’annok ha’ guatu gi kanton tåsi giya Piti.