Aghurubw

Aghurubw (pronounced AH-guh-rue-b) was a Carolinian (Refaluwasch) Chief and navigator who led his people from Satawal to what is now Saipan (a commonwealth of the United States in the Western Pacific Ocean) in the early 19th century.^[1]

A bird's-eye view image of the island of Saipan

Navigation to and settlement of Saipan

A full map of Tinian

After an 1815 typhoon destroyed life on their home island of Satawal, Chief Aghurubw of the Ghatoliyool clan and Chief Nguschul (pronounced NU-GU-SCHUL) of Elato asked permission from the Spanish Governor, Farallon de Medinilla, for their people to settle on the Island of Saipan.^[2][3][4]

The Chiefs were granted permission to move to Saipan to manage their cattle herds, turning the island into a ranch or cattle plantation.^[5][6] They were also allowed to go to Tinian, an island neighboring Saipan.

Aghurubw received a legal certificate and the traditional symbols of a leader, a cane and a tall black hat. Due to the tall hat, he was called parúng, the Carolinian word for hat or cap, by the Ghatoliyool.^[7]

The area where Aghurubw was buried by his family, in accordance with wishes expressed during his life. This area is a mile away from the area of Saipan to which Aghurubw brought the people he led.

The entrance to American Memorial Park, where Arabwal is located.^[8] The park has memorials to WW2 victims as well.

To get to the island of Saipan, Aghurubw used an ancient sea route called metawal wool.^[9] He and his party landed on Micro Beach. After bringing the people there, the Carolinians built a village which he called Arabwal.^[10]

In 1851, Aghurubw used contacts offering opportunities in the northern isles to advance himself.^[11]

Following Chief Aghurubw and Chief Nguschulthe, more Carolinians came bringing their people and establishing villages on Saipan.^[12]

Legacy

After his death in Arabwal, Chief Aghurubw was buried in Mañagaha (Ghalaghal) island, where a statue now stands of him. He was buried upright upon his request, so he could see Micro Beach.^[13][14] The place is sacred to Refaluwasch people in CNMI as a result of his life, influence and burial there. People visit the island every year to celebrate him.^[15][16]

The people of Saipan celebrate 'Chief Aghurubw Day', a holiday which is an important part of the Refaluwasch culture on the CNMI.^[17] Additionally, the Ghatoliyool Clan established the Chief Aghurubw Foundation to further his legacy and impact.^[18][19]

References

1. "Over 200 pay homage to Chief Aghurbw". Saipan News, Headlines, Events, Ads | Saipan Tribune. 2018-10-07. Retrieved 2019-05-07.
2. "| Managaha campaign impact report : Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands - :14343 | Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) | National Ocean Service (NOS)". repository.library.noaa.gov. Retrieved 2019-05-07.
3. Marianas Island Legends: Myth and Magic. Bess Press. 2001. ISBN 9781573061025.
4. Variety, Marianas. "Chief Aghurubw Day celebration". Marianas Variety. Retrieved 2019-04-16.
5. "Navigating Modernity / The Carolinians, a tiny group of islanders on Saipan, in the western Pacific, have seen their ancient culture succumb to consumerism. As they try to salvage what they can of their past, they are helping to lead a cultural revival am - SFChronicle.com". www.sfgate.com. 1999-03-07. Retrieved 2019-04-15.
6. McKinnon, Jennifer; Nahabedian, Sarah; Raupp, Jason (2016). "A Colonial Shipwreck in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands". International Journal of Nautical Archaeology. 45 (1): 94–104. Bibcode:2016IJNAr..45...94M. doi:10.1111/1095-9270.12140. ISSN 1095-9270.
7. Jackson; Marck (2019). Carolinian-English Dictionary. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 9780824881931.
8. Saipan, Mailing Address: P. O. Box 5198; Us, MP 96950 Phone:[phone] x2002 Contact. "People - American Memorial Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2019-04-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
9. Flood, Bo; Strong, Beret E.; Flood, William (2002). Micronesian Legends. Bess Press. ISBN 9781573061292.
10. Saipan, Mailing Address: P. O. Box 5198; Us, MP 96950 Phone:[phone] x2002 Contact. "People - American Memorial Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2019-04-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
11. D'Arcy, Paul (2006-01-01). The People of the Sea: Environment, Identity, And History in Oceania. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 978-0-8248-2959-9.
12. Flood, Bo; Strong, Beret E.; Flood, William (2002). Micronesian Legends. Bess Press. ISBN 9781573061292.
13. "The Nature Conservancy and NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program" (PDF).
14. Variety, Marianas. "BC's Tales of the Pacific: Refaluwasch come to Saipan". Marianas Variety. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
15. "page8" (PDF). Marianas Variety. 2016-09-15. Retrieved 2019-05-16.
16. "Chief Aghurubw commemoration this weekend". Saipan News, Headlines, Events, Ads | Saipan Tribune. 2018-10-04. Retrieved 2019-05-19.
17. Marsh, Kelly G. & Na'puti, Tiara R. "Pacific Islanders in the U.S. and their Heritage: Making Visible the Visibly Absent." NPS. AAPI National Historic Landmarks, n .d.https://www.nps.gov/articles/upload/12-Essay-12-Heritage.pdf
18. "Marianas Variety - Managaha's cultural heritage". www.mvariety.com. Retrieved 2019-04-13.
19. "Ghatoliyool clan forms Chief Aghurubw Foundation". Saipan News, Headlines, Events, Ads | Saipan Tribune. 2016-05-19. Retrieved 2019-04-18.