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Nobenan Niño celebrated in Arizona
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Posted on Jan 03 2006
By CLAUDIA DLG FAJARDO KAERCHER
Special to the Saipan Tribune
Keeping up with the traditional Nobenan Nino from the Mariana Islands, we are happy to announce that it is alive and well in Arizona.
The Chamorro families who moved to Arizona brought with them their family patron novena but the Nobenan Nino is the most celebrated of all.
Families from Saipan like Rose Rabauliman, Vivian and Ike deLeon Guerrero, Julie and Frank Crisostomo, Patricia Sablan, Terese and John Crisostomo, and from Guam, Frank and Dot San Nicolas Hernandez, Lolaine and Dan Peralta, and Merci and George Hernandez, just to name a few, conduct the Nobenan Nino.
Mana liliko’ i Nino gi kada guma’ Chamorro began several years ago when a group of Chamorros got together to plan and organize this tradition, just like it is done throughout the Mariana Islands. The procession began on the street and moved into the homes, carrying the Niño while singing in Chamorro with gusto and strumming their ukuleles and guitars. It was a sight to be seen and sounds to be heard. It brought back wonderful and beautiful memories as I had experienced it as a young girl with my family visiting my grandmother during the Christmas season in Oleai village, now known as San Jose.
The nobena is a joyous gathering for all, where island food is served, followed by karaoke, and then the singing of local songs accompanied by ukuleles and guitars. Yes, it was joyous and so much fun. The clock struck twelve and everyone packed up to leave, but we left with feelings of renewed spirit of kinship and thankfulness of blessings received throughout the year. We then gave hugs and said adios asta ki.
