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7th Chamorro festival in San Diego on March 19
The Chamorro Hands in Education Links Unity is leading the celebration of the 7th Annual Chamorro Cultural Festival on March 19 at the California State University-San Marcos. The event is free and open to all.
CHE’LU is a San Diego-based non-profit organization focused on preserving and promoting the Pacific Island culture of the Chamorro people, the indigenous people of the Mariana Islands chain—including the CNMI and Guam. Che’lu in Chamorro means blood related.
The CCF is among the highly anticipated events in Sand Diego. The event celebrates the arts, culture, and customs of the people of the Mariana Islands.
It is a unique day of celebration as it unites the Chamorros from all around the world with music, cultural dance performances, educational workshops, local food and cuisine, arts and crafts, and other products to accentuate the Chamorro in everyone.
“The CCF helps many of us Chamorros—and those who appreciate the Chamorro culture—celebrate, appreciate, and educate people on 4,000-plus years of Chamorro history,” said CHE’LU board of directors chair Danny Blas.
“Every year this event grows and grows. The CCF has become the premiere event of mainland Chamorros, and our team is very proud to be able to continue the work to preserve our culture, language, and way of life.”
The CCF was previously held in San Diego but the increasing number of visitors annually, it was moved to SCU-San Marcos due to a larger venue, protected parking space, more seating areas, enhanced facilities like free wifi, and family-friendly restrooms.
CHE’LU was founded in 2005 in San Diego, which is home to the largest number of Chamorro people outside the Mariana Islands. CHE’LU helps to preserve the Chamorro culture by building a life-size replica of a Chamorro outrigger canoe—the Sakman Chamorro—which last sailed in 1742 before being destroyed by the Spanish colonizers.
