Open call for digital contributions of contemporary Chamorro practices

In an effort to collect and create a community vision for contemporary cultural, spiritual and creative practices of the Chamorro people, cultural activist Dakota Alcantara Camacho of Guam is inviting interested individuals to contribute to a project known as #DigitalGuafak, a digital resource of cultural experience and offerings.

The project is a continuation of Camacho’s dialogue, discussion, and collaboration with Pacific artists on the topic of indigenous issues and the authentic expression of overcoming the challenges of disempowerment.

Camacho, who is also a poet and performance artist, is known for his solo performance work and currently offers community workshops at the Saggan Kotturan Chamoru in Guam, whose aim is to develop new Chamorro performances for the 2016 Festival of the Pacific Arts in Guam.

According to Camacho, the idea is inspired by traditional altars, either hung from the roof of the home or laid out on a woven mat “that connect us to the ancestors” and the elements by holding offerings such as låñan niyok or coconut oil, pugas or uncooked rice, alåhas or jewelry, and other sacred treasures to give thanks and seek guidance from ancestors.

“#DigitalGuåfak will be a sacred space in the Internet, weaving video clips, sound bites, and images of contemporary spiritual practices to unify lineages across and beyond oceanic, national and diaspora boundaries,” he said.

Contributions will be collected and projected during the Urbanesia Festival at the Mangere Arts Centre celebration on Nov. 22 hosted by the Transformance Lab at Urbanesia Contemporary Pasifika Festival 2015 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Transformance Lab is an international and multi-cultural arts initiative by Jack Gray and Dakota Alcantara Camacho who host durational gatherings to empower ancestral creativity.

For formal inclusion in the upcoming event, Camacho invites participants to send video clips, audio, and image files sent directly via Dropbox or Google Drive by uploading the files and sending the link to dakotacamacho@gmail.com.

Files must be labeled with a last name, first name, and title of work.

A short biography of the article with your clan name and island of origin in less than 52 words and a description of the work should be included as well.

Deadline for participation in the project is Nov. 20.