Courtesy of Dr. Lawrence J. Cunningham. Research Associate Outreach Coordinator National Resource Center for Micronesian Studies; Richard Flores Taitano Micronesian Area Research Center, University of Guam UOG Station Mangilao, Guam 96923. All material is Copyrighted©. All rights reserved. No material may be copied in part or in whole without Dr. Cunningham's written permission. Send emails to "Lawrence J. Cunningham" lcunning@uog9.uog.edu. Thank You.
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The taotaomo'na are believed to own nature. They protect their territorial rights and conserve natural resources. Taotaomo'na who live near large trees keep the ground under them as clean as if the area had been swept by a broom. The taotaomo'na are upset by the willful destruction of the environment or by those who take more from the land or sea than their family needs. Taotaomo'na have a habit of taking fishing nets and food. Hunters will shoot an animal, but when they arrive at the spot where the deer or bat fell, they will find nothing. The taotaomo'na has already collected the kill. Taotaomo'na are reported to take the shape of a headless deer, a bird, a crab, or other animals. People who do not ask the taotaomo'na's permission to enter the jungle will incur their wrath. Those who do not ask the taotaomo'na's permission to get water from the river, to fish or hunt, to eliminate body wastes, to pick fruit, or cut plants will be punished by the taotaomo'na. The taotaomo'na can make a
person sick or crazy. Oftentimes they leave brown, red,
yellow, or purple marks on the intruder. Sometimes they leave teeth
marks. The taotaomo'na often cause the illness chetnot maipe (a
hot fever). Some people afflicted by the taotaomo'na
have no apparent illness but just waste away.
Taotaomo'na stir up damaging winds and cause the wind to moan and howl. Some are called lamlamtaotao (lightning people). Some taotaomo'na haunt people by making strange noises in the night or by pounding on the house. Oftentimes they are caught following someone, but when the person turns around, nothing is there. They have even been known to kidnap people. When those who have been kidnapped are found, they are usually dazed and cannot speak. Sometimes children are taken by a taotaomo'na disguised as their aunt or uncle. Women and children are thought to be especially vulnerable to the taotaomo'na, especially pregnant women. They do not like the smell of breast milk or a pregnant woman. This may go back to the fact that women and children lived in their husband's or father's clan territory. This land was protected by the husband's or father's clan's ancestral spirits. The ancestral spirits of other people's clans were more likely to be hostile. The taotaomo'na befriend some individuals. They are called gai taotao (possessed ones). The taotaomo'na give their friends supernatural strength. For example, they will help them lift a coconut log or a bridge beam. Nevertheless, no matter how strong the rapport with the taotaomo'na, a human can never control them. People can ask for help, but more often than not, they are the instrument of the taotaomo'na. People who have a taotaomona gachong or friend go to church, but always stand outside. When such a person dies, the taotaomo'na will try to attach itself to one of the person's close relatives. |