For your information, we are staff at the National Museum of the Dulce
Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica and we happened on your website.
Congratulations on your interest and enthusiasm in maintaining our
Chamorro culture, language and traditions.
We would like to provide the:
Legend Of Santa Marian Kamalen as published in the Guam Recorder, January 1927 issue.
The legend of an image found in the sea near the town of Malesso'. The truth of the story is vouched for all details by many Chamorros.
It happened on a certain night about 250 years ago, one that was very black and very still, so that the fish in the lagoon were unwary, two fishermen took their spears and torches, and stripping themselves of their clothes, waded out to see what fortune the dark would bring them. They had not been in the water long before they perceived two lights bobbing about on the waves just across the teeth of the reef.
"Let us go out and look" said one to the other, "to see what those two lights may be". And so, slinging their strings of fish across their shoulders, they took long strides in the direction of the breakers. As they drew near to where the island's edge drops away to the botton of the Pacific, they saw that the lights were candles, and that these candles were carried in the claws of two giant gold-spotted crabs that were supporting the image of the Virgin Mary between them. When the fishermen, who, as good Christians were incensed, would have taken the image of God's Mother from them, the crabs reproved them saying, "You are not clothed, wherefore, so are not fit to receive so saintly an image. Go at once to your homes, and when you are garbed properly, return to this spot where we will give you the image in order that you may present it to your priests." So the fishermen returned to their homes and dressed, and when they again presented themselves before the crabs, they were given the image just as they were promised. They carried it back to the shore with them, where the priests named it, Maria de los Congrejos in honor of the good crabs who had cared so well for it. This image may be seen today in the Cathedral at Agana where it has graced the top of the Altar since 1825. Maria de Kamalen is made of wood and is a foot or so high, with mildewed hair. Strangers scoff at her history, and substitute a prosaic one of their own, concerning a tidal wave and wreckage from a neighboring island but the Chamorros love her as "Mary of the Crabs."
The image is also called "Mary of the Shed", "Mary of the Cupboard," and "Santa Marian Kamalen." When first found, the image was placed in the chapel of the barracks at Umatac where the native militia were quarteres, it remained there until removed for the Dulce Nombre de Maria Iglesia in 1825 where it was kept on a small tabernacle that had two small doors. It is said that when the men of the militia were about to retire, and particularly after having indulged in more tuba and aguadiente than they should have done and while saying their prayers, some would fall asleep. The doors of the tabernacle would slam shut violently thereby making such a noise that the sleepy soldiers would be awakened, and they would finish saying their prayers.
Some years ago it was decided to send this image to Manila for renovation and when the workmen began to scrape her face preparatory to repainting, the places scraped began to bleed, and they discontinued and returned the image to Guam, without completing their work. Some time later, the Reverend Joachim Olaiz, OFM Cap. Bishop of Guam, desiring to discontinue the use of this old and worn out image for processional purposes, suggested to the congregation that a new one be procured which would be in better keeping with the furnishing of the new church but the committee representing the congregation would not hear of such a thing. The chairwoman of this committee stated that this image had been very good for the Chamorro for many years, and that it had been instrumental in performing many miracles. They wanted no new one to replace this one which was loved by all, the old one must remain, and it does.
We offer this LEGEND for the enjoyment of all Chamorros, our manelun-mami who are either away from home or are right here on Guam. Biba Santa Marian Kamalen! Come by and visit the Kamalen Gallery at the east wing of the Cathedral-Basilica in Hagatna.
Senseramente,
Hope A. Cristobal
Acting Museum Director
kamalen@ite.net