WHAT MONTH IS THIS?

gwit.org

Unlike the sun, which always stays the same, the moon waxes and wanes.  This is a great way for ancient peoples to mark time, according to the phases of the moon.  Is it any wonder, then, that the word "month" comes from the word "moon?"  Even in Chamorro, pulan means both "moon" and "month."

Our ancestors had a calendar made up of thirteen moons, or months.

Last January 24, we began a new annual cycle with the first glimmer of a new moon.  This first month is called Tumaiguine.  The root for this word is taiguine, which means "this way."  We're not exactly sure why our ancestors gave it this name, but maybe it had something to do with showing others how to plant or fish "this way" at this time of year.