Maga’Låhi Hula was considered a brave and
great leader from Apotguan, Hagåtña. He,
like other leaders before him, felt that his people should not be subjected to
foreign domination.
Hula saw the extermination of his people from
the ravages of war to incurable diseases brought by the Spaniards. He courageously led his people in many
battles.
Prior to his death he spoke to his people and
said “…Now is the time to finish them off because the foreigners are
scattered. The ones who are healthy or
strong are not here in this land and those who remained in Hagåtña are the
cruel, the disabled and sick. It is not
difficult to attack and eradicate them.
If do not make use of ourselves now, we cannot triumph over them tonight
and they will crush us in any unfavorable place and we can no longer live our
own way of life, because if they succeed to control the other islands to the
north, our hopes are gone. Where else
are we to flee? Follow me and be praised
forever because we will be able to enjoy our land.”
On July 23, 1684, in his last encounter with
the Spaniards, Hula and his people surrounded the church in Hagåtña and at the
end of the mass, attacked the Spaniards and killed forty-five soldiers, severely
wounding the Spanish Governor.
Maga’Låhi Hula was shot and stabbed. He died from his wounds that day. His death sparked an uprising that spread
throughout the islands. The battles lasted
4 months.
Ginen I Lepblu: I Manmañaina-ta, Geran Chamoru yan
Españot: 1668-1695.
Tinige’ as: Eddie L.G. Benavente,
Pinentan as: Siñot Raphael J.N. Unpingco
Inilao as: Siñot Ronald T. Laguaña yan si Señora Janice S.N. Furukawa
Ayudånte para Kulot: Siñot John Taisipic
Ayudånte: Siñot Joey G. Leon Guerrero
Ayudånte: Señora Aleine V. Balasta
Very interesting account of a clear and present danger to a people and of the heroic leadership that naturally arose and decisions made. Similar uprisings occurred globally and not just with colonialism but any expansionist project throughout history. Unfortunately, most of the outcomes are tragic and predetermined when superior technology or skill is part of the equation. How did this war change things for the native people in the area? were they left in peace for a time?
ReplyDeleteSince the end of that War period, the islands have been colonized by the Spanish for over 330 years until the signing of the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898. It was established immediately after the United States over took all the Spanish colonies at the time from Guam, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Cuba, to the Virgin Islands. From December 1898 until the invasion of the Japanese Imperial Navy and Army and eventual occupation of Guam on December 10, 1941 and through July 21, 1944, the island was ruled by Japan and many labor camps were established and the native population used as forced labor. Thousands of lives were lost during this time-frame as a result of the Japanese occupation. The United States then returned to the islands at this time and since that time, the native People after each attempt of requesting a plebiscite to vote for Independence, the request failed. To this day, the Native Peoples of Guam are still treated as "Second Class" citizens. Although the time since the return of the U.S. to date has been rather peaceful, the Native People have come to realize that most of their lands (1/3) have been taken over by the Federal Government for military use which recently has stirred a spark of Civil disobedience by the Native Peoples seeking their lands be returned...
Delete