Sounds both Old and New
Sunidu Pasifika was formed prior to the 12th Festival of Pacific Arts (FESTPAC) held in Guam in 2016 to help teach the making and playing of the belembaotuyan to future generations. The group performed as part of the two-week festivities, including a rendition of “Fanohge CHamoru.” Sunidu Pasifika was led by Delores Taitano Quinata, who was the last apprentice of Master of CHamoru Culture for the belembaotuyan, Jesus Crisostomo. She was assisted by musicians Ruby Santos and Jesse Bais, as well as her husband Joe Quinata from the Guam Preservation Trust. Many of the members of Sunidu Pasifika were CHamoru language and culture teachers in Guam’s public schools, who learned how to make and play the belembaotuyan with the hopes of bringing this knowledge into their classrooms. I look forward to hearing more of the belembaotuyan around the island, especially in schools. I wish some younger Chamoru musicians would take the sound and auto-tune it or find ways t...
