LEGENDS generally represent attempts by people to explain the world around them. They hold certain clues to understanding cultures and how they have been shaped over time. For example, one of the most central stories of ancient Guam is the story of how it was saved by women. Although there are many versions of this tale, when combined together they provide many historical/cultural insights. The story explains why Guam is narrow in the middle, how water sometimes seems to flow from one side of the island to the other, and also why ancient Chamorros believed that women should not be subordinate to men. The reason in each case is because of a giant fish that attacked the island and started to eat away at its middle. Here’s the version of the story my kids get:

The Maga’låhi, or male leaders of every clan, call an islandwide meeting to develop a strategy for dealing with this fish menace. The Maga’håga’, or female leaders, of each family ask their counterparts if they can join the discussion since the fish threatens everyone on Guam, including them. The Maga’låhi laugh at this idea, teasing the Maga’håga’ that they should go home and find some women’s work to do. The task of vanquishing a giant fish is clearly something for the stronger and tougher sex to handle.

The men gather, but are divided over what to do. A third of them insist they need to produce a giant net to catch the fish. Another third say that a huge spear, half the length of the island, needs to be made to gut it. The final third argue that they should make a million sling stones and mercilessly pelt the fish with rocks.

They each choose to carry out their separate plans. A large net is made, but the fish easily snaps it. The large spear is made, but the third of the men who carved it are unable to lift it, and therefore can’t hurl it at the fish. The sling stone strategy is ineffective as well, since the fish has dug an underwater tunnel that connects the island from Hagåtña to Pågo. Every time they try to corner it and attack, it easily swims to the other side of the island. The men sit on the cliffs of Yo’ña, sullen and sad at their failure to defeat the fish and defend their island.

The Maga’håga’ have not been idle during this time. They develop their own plan to defeat the fish. In some versions of the story, the fish is sent to Guam to punish people for no longer respecting their ancestors, and so in seeking a solution to this crisis, the women reflect and seek guidance from their ancestors. The spirits of Maga’håga’ of the past appear to them, saying that if they wish to save their island, they must be willing to sacrifice something. The women agree, and in turn their long hair is blessed. They are told that if they cut off their hair and weave it together, it will create a magic net that will be capable of ensnaring the fish.

The Maga’håga’ comply and began to cut off their hair and join together to weave a massive net. They walk down to the area where the fish has been most enjoying his meal, and what has now become Pågo Bay, and wait along the shore. Holding their net tightly, they begin to sing a simple song. There are many versions of it, but the one my children most enjoy goes like this. “Guihan guihan suha guini gi este tano’-måmi!”

The fish, attracted by their voices, approaches the shore and when it is close enough, the net is hurled forth. At first the fish laughs, thinking it will easily snap this one as it did the last. As the net flies, it grows bigger and stronger, and when it finally hits the fish, it wraps tightly around, imprisoning it. The fish thrashes and fights, but the ancestral magic is too much, and it can’t do anything but slowly sink down into the sea. The men watching from the cliffs, once solemn, are now cheering excitedly at the strength and resolve of Chamorro women, and how they have saved the island.

When I reach the end of the story, I often ask my 4-year-old daughter Sumåhi what is the lesson here. She usually responds, “na mas metgot yan mas malate’ i famalao’an kinu i lalahi!” That women are smarter and stronger than men! As one final lesson, if you’ve ever wondered where Guam’s frequent earthquakes come from, this story also explains that. When James Cameron returns from the Mariana Trench, we should ask him if he saw a giant fish trapped in a magic net down there.