Antigu na Estorian Guinaiya

 Earlier this year, for the website I Sakman I Fino'-ta, I began writing a semi-weekly creative story in the Chamoru language. I've always wanted to try writing a romance story in Chamoru, and this was my first mixed attempt at doing so. I have enjoyed it, but I've found myself struggling with how I've read hundreds of romance stories in English, but none in Chamoru and this affects everything from the plot, to the metaphors, to the culture involved. It has been a struggle at times gi minagahet.

I am up to part 11 at present. Head to the site itself to read them all as well as articles in Chamoru from a wide variety of speakers/writers. But for now, here is the first installment.

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HACHA

 

“Nobia kahulo’

Ya fa’gåsi i matå-mu

Sa’ u fåtto i nobio-mu

Ya lini’e’ ni churå-mu”

 

Ginen i mames na guinife-ña, si Maria ha hungok este na kånta gi bos nanå-ña.

 

Gi guinife-ña, umasodda’ siha yan i guinaiyå-ña gi halom un guma’yu’os. Mandadanña i familian-ñiha gi oriya. Madåndandan i kampåña siha.

 

Lao yinaho’ annai ha hasso na ti mismo guinife este. På’go na diha para u asodda’ magåhet i dos gi taiguihi na lugåt. Sa’ på’go i ha’ånen kasamiento.

 

Ha baba i matå-ña ya ha atan si nanå-ña, chumåchalek gi i semnak ogga’an. “Hagå-hu, kao listo hao? Este i mås impottånte na diha gi lina’la’-mu siempre. Hokkok sumutterå-mu.”

 

“Hunggan nåna, gof listo yu’. Desde i primet bihia na umali’e’ ham, manguaguaiya ham na dos. Hagas humahami gi korason yan gi guinaiya, lao på’go para bei danña’ gi me’nan Yu’os lokkue’.”

 

Chumålek si nåna, “Este manhoben på’go. Anggen ti måtto i tiempo-mu tåya’ ora sipirao. Lao anggen måtto i tiempo-mu – “

 

Chumålek si Maria lokkue’ nu i botlehan i saina, “Hu tungo’ nåna, esta ti dimasiao hun. Lao hu prometi hao nåna, na ti este un kalentura na klasen siniente. Este i magåhet na klasen guinaiya.”

 

Humihot si nåna guatu gi matå-ña si Maria, “Ai hagå-hu, manhongge yu’ nu hamyo. Gof maolek na påtgon hao.” Ha hålla gotpe i såbanas gi katre, “Lachaddek hagå-hu, lachaddek ya minagagu!”