500 Sails’ canoe now a permanent feature of community sails

Ånimuyi sits pretty on the shore of the Guma Sakman after sailing with the rest of the 500 Sails canoe fleet during Commonwealth Culture Day. Photo courtesy of Nonstop Corp. (NONSTOP CORP.)

500 Sails thanks the community members, Benito family, Indigenous Affairs Office, Northern Marianas Humanities Council, Nonstop Corp., artist Maria Manlo, and Bank of Saipan for their support of Ånimuyi›s official launch, held in San Jose on October 10.

500 Sails spent part of 2021 and most of 2022 creating Ånimuyi. She is a 15-foot vessel made out of modern fiberglass and bamboo; however, like all 500 Sails canoes, she is based on the Anson drawing, which was what Chamorros were sailing in 1742. A unique feature of Ånimuyi is her design, skillfully painted by artist Maria Manalo, who took inspiration from patterns she found in the natural world.

500 Sails aims for the day it can see a horizon full of sails. Pictured here from left to right are canoes Aunty Oba, Richard Seman, Deedee, and Ånimuyi. Managaha is in the background. Photo courtesy of Nonstop Corp. (NONSTOP CORP.)

Beginning in the month of September, after Ånimuyi was completed, she was exhibited in the Bank of Saipan along with various canoe models and other seafaring items. To celebrate Commonwealth Cultural Day on Oct. 10, 500 Sails officially launched the 15-foot sailing canoe on the premises of the Bank of Saipan. 

The ceremony was marked by an invocation in Chamorro led by Ben “Lamlam” San Nicolas, a traditional chant from master navigator Mario Benito, and a short address by Jomanda Manglona of the Indigenous Affairs Office.

Following the ceremony, 500 Sails lalayak and members of the community were invited to carry Ånimuyi from the Bank of Saipan, across Beach Road, and onto the adjacent beach for Ånimuyi›s first official sail. Joining Ånimuyi that day was the rest of 500 Sails’ fleet—canoes Aunty Oba, Richard Seman, Deedee, and Anaguan.

The canoes launched from San Jose with a blowing of a kulu (shell trumpet) and sailed to the nearby Guma Sakman in Susupe.

“500 Sails is aiming for the day when we look out on the horizon and see an ocean filled with sails,” said Andrew Roberto, 500 Sails director of Community Programs. “If you see Nonstop Corp.’s images from today’s event, you can see the beauty of the lagoon and the beauty of these canoes. However, at a deeper level, you can see something else beautiful as well—these boats represent a tradition that is revived, which is so appropriate, given that we launched this boat on Commonwealth Cultural Day. Every day, Pacific peoples face existential crises in regards to their environment, identity, and sovereignty. But the canoe is a vessel that connects us to the environment, taps into our Oceanic identity, and allows us sovereignty over our lives. It’s truly the vessel of life.”

The 500 Sails fleet continued to sail around the lagoon after Ånimuyi touched down in front of the Guma Sakman. Now that the 15-foot vessel lives in the 500 Sails canoe house, Ånimuyi (and the rest of the fleet) will be available to give rides every Saturday as part of the Saturday Sail program. The entire community can ride on 26-foot vessels and 15-foot vessels at absolutely no charge. Saturday Sails take place from 9am to 2pm at the Guma Sakman, Susupe, across Marianas High School, directly adjacent to the Tronkon Da’ok palapala.

Visit 500 Sails official Facebook page to view more amazing photos from the launch ceremony. (500 Sails)