89 



COMMONWEALTH OF 



THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS 



Statement of Jesus C. Borja 



June 1, 1995 



greatest of their voyages. Indeed, they migrated to the North- 

 ern Marianas within recorded history. In about 1815, two chief- 

 tains, Aghurubw, of Satawal, and Nguschul, of Elato — their home 

 islands having been devastated by typhoon — led their people on 

 the "metawal wool" to settle on Saipan. Chief Aghurubw is buried 

 on Managaha island in Saipan Harbor. This voyage from the Cen- 

 tral Carolines to the Northern Marianas has been repeated several 

 times in recent years by Mau Pialug, the first navigator of the 

 Hokule'a . 



We have always relied heavily on the bounty of the sea for 

 basic sustenance. About 175 miles to the west of, and approxi- 

 mately parallel to, our islands lies a chain of submerged sea- 

 mounts. The fishing grounds at these seamounts have been known 

 to our people for many generations. Our fishermen have tradi- 

 tionally sailed far beyond the horizon to harvest the fish there 

 and at other banks. Many of these grounds carry family names 

 signifying those who were by custom entitled to harvest and con- 



Inhabitants of atolls in the Caroline islands travelled to 

 high islands in ancient times to replenish food supplies after 

 storms or droughts. The "metawal wool" from the Carolines to the 

 Marianas became a regular trade route, with annual commercial 

 voyages to trade valuable shells for Chamorro pottery, spices, 

 dyes, breadfruit wood for canoe-building and medicinal plants. 

 Id. at 193-197. 



