Manana Si Yu’os
The holiday season has begun.
Last month I wrote about one of the CHamoru core values, Inafa’maolek.
When I think about the CHamoru culture, I admire the core values because of the beauty they bring to the culture.
Some of the other core values are respetu, inagofli’e and mana’ayuda.
Respetu
This is the act of showing respect to others as well as for yourself.
Inagofli’e
The root word of Inagfi’e, “Gofli’e’” means to like or to love in a platonic way or to care for.
I have learned that if you break the word down even more, it could mean, I see you.
“Gof” meaning “very” and “li’e” meaning to see. Today’s translation of liking or loving someone has a deeper meaning of the care value of being able to see someone. It goes hand in hand with “inafa’maolek” which means “the process of making things good for each other”.
When was the last time you “saw someone” that you care for? In todays fast pace world, we love our family, we care for our friends. This upcoming season, think about really seeing someone.
Mana’ayuda
The meaning of mana’ayuda can be broken down to the word “ayuda”. Ayuda means to help, assist or to be of service.
As you can see these values all intertwine with each other to emanate the beautiful culture of the CHamoru’s and the love they have for the living, land and sea and the air that we breath.
When you gather with family this thanksgiving, remember how the CHamoru culture teaches you to be thankful.
MAGOF HA’ÅNEN MAN NÅ’E GRÅSIAS! (Happy Thanksgiving)
-Dre