Mariana Islands
Artist: Maha Taitano
The Mariana Islands piece is a representation of all 4 of the Islands inhabited by the CHamoru people. In this piece we see a pattern on our left that is commonly found on ancient pottery that predates Spanish colonization. Next is the bone carved fish hook. This symbol is significant and commonly used in art, design, and tattooing as a visual representation of the importance of fishing and our connection to water. Then there is the coconut tree in the middle, a very visual representation of the vegetation as well as a source of food in many dishes. The coconut tree leaves are used in weaving and many parts of the tree and in many stages are edible and used for many utilitarian purposes. On the right we have 4 latte (pronounced lah-tee) stones. This is an extremely significant symbol. These represent the ancient foundations of how the CHamoru people built the foundation of their homes. The latte stones are made of two carved limestone rocks, one being the bowl and the second the pedestal that holds the bowl. To this day you can find latte stones still standing, though deteriorating, still in the square formation of the home that it once held. There are latte stones for each island, in order from the equator towards the north: Guahan (Guam), Lota (Rota), Tinian, and Saipan.
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