Stories Rooted in Nature: A conversation with Joey Certeza on spirituality, art in CHamoru heritage | Lifestyle

By Pune Media On Mar 6, 2025

As CHamoru Heritage Month begins, the significance of cultural events and the work of community artists like Joey Certeza is celebrated.

Joey’s art connects deeply to CHamoru spirituality, particularly as it intersects with traditions like the Lukao Fuha gathering, which marks the beginning of the New CHamoru Year.

This year, Joey’s work was featured in the booklet for the Lukao Fua celebration and appeared on stickers distributed to over a hundred participants. Joey’s contributions embody both artistic talent and a deeper connection between people, culture, and the land.

The Lukao Fuha event, held at Fuha Bay in Humåtak, is a spiritual community gathering.

Organized by Independent Guåhan, the Micronesia Climate Change Alliance, Gi Matan Guma’, Humåtak Mayor’s Office, and Humåtak Community Foundation, the event emphasized unity, and a reconnection to the land.

Participants engaged in ceremonies and chants, walked the land, and created an altar of offerings.

Role of chants, ceremony

Ceremonial chants at Lukao Fuha are integral to the spiritual experience of the gathering. Joey explained these chants help participants connect spiritually with the land and their ancestors.

“We wanted to pay homage to Jeremy Cepeda, who composed the chants with Dakota Camacho and Gi Matan Guma’. The chant Tåya Nai Chumålan is about preparing for the journey, gathering materials, and ensuring we are mentally and spiritually ready.”

Chants like Manetnon Hit were used to unify the participants, setting an intention of gratitude and connection. I Neni Hamyu acknowledged the sacred space and the importance of offerings.

The chants were not only a way to honor ancestors but also to guide the community in spiritual preparation for the journey ahead.

Artistic expression, katupat

Joey tells stories through his art.

“The patterns you see in the art piece are uma taotao, which means people carry heavy burdens on each other’s shoulders. It is a symbol for community building.”

Joey’s artwork featured the katupat, a woven rice offering.

“The katupat holds a ceremonial importance in our culture. Rice is sacred to the CHamoru people, and its use in the ceremony is not just symbolic but part of the broader cultural connection to our land and traditions.”

The katupat symbolizes both sustenance and ceremonial significance, reflecting the cultural importance of rice in CHamoru heritage.

His decision to incorporate this element was deeply rooted in the need to honor ancestral practices while also connecting modern generations to these traditions.

The hike, Fuha Rock

As the event reached its peak, participants gathered at Lasso’ Fuha, where they reflected on the creation story of Pontan and Fo’na.

“The creation story of Pontan and Fo’na is crucial to understanding the sacredness of the land. The first humans were moulded from that rock. The story connects our people to the land, reinforcing our responsibilities as caretakers of both the environment and our cultural heritage.”

This storytelling tradition is a powerful tool for cultural transmission. Joey highlights how these stories help participants connect more deeply to their roots and the land, reinforcing the essential bond between people, nature, and the spiritual world.

Reconnecting with land through spiritualityJoey’s reflections bring attention to the importance of reconnecting spiritually with the land. In a modernized and globalized world, it is easy to lose touch with the sacredness of nature.

“The goal of Lukao Fuha is to reconnect the community spiritually with the land and the ocean. The event provides a space for people to realign with their ancestors and the natural world. In a modern context, where people are increasingly disconnected from these traditions, we need spaces like this to revive our understanding of the environment and its significance.”

This acknowledgment of the land’s sacredness is not only a cultural practice but also an essential part of ongoing sustainability efforts.

Through reconnecting with their ancestral stories and spiritual practices, participants are encouraged to see themselves as stewards of the land, understanding the deep responsibilities they have to maintain its balance and health.

Joey’s artistic contributions to community building

Joey’s art is rooted in a passion for storytelling, and he uses art to foster community building and spiritual connection.

“I want to create pathways for our community to reconnect. As an artist, my goal is to help my people feel pride and identity through art that reflects our heritage. I want to do justice to my culture by bringing these stories to life through art, fashion, and design. It is important that we see ourselves reflected in the things we create.”

Joey’s art is an avenue for community dialogue. By incorporating indigenous patterns and symbols, he helps reinforce a sense of pride and belonging.

His work continues to resonate not only with CHamoru people but also with visitors, as it helps them understand the culture of Guåhan in a meaningful way.

My personal journey

I would love to add my personal touch to this story. At Lasso’ Fuha, the altar became a living embodiment of everyone’s intentions. People brought native seeds, flowers, and salt.

This year was very special to me, as my UOG CIS Island Conservation Lab staff gathered native seeds and flowers for me to bring along. It was with great honor that I carried these offerings along with Caley Chargualaf.

By carrying these offerings with us, it felt as though we were bringing their spirit along.

I also brought some guåsale’ flowers from my garden and a coconut filled with offerings we prepared at the Micronesian Climate Change Alliance — Guam makerspace workshop beautifully led by Joey, Francesca, and Moñeka De Oro.

Cultural significance

“The act of preparing these offerings—whether it was native flowers or rice—was a beautiful way of honoring our traditions. It’s not just about the physical items but the spiritual energy we bring to the land. Each of us contributes to the story of the land, the community, and the ancestors.”

This sense of collective participation is vital in ensuring that CHamoru traditions remain alive and meaningful for future generations.

Joey Certeza’s work exemplifies the powerful intersection of art, spirituality, and community in CHamoru heritage.

Whether through murals, clothing, or community events like Lukao Fuha, Joey’s art plays an integral role in shaping and revitalizing cultural consciousness, fostering unity, and ensuring that the stories of the land and ancestors continue to resonate with future generations.

Joey is not just an artist but a storyteller, a guide, and a bridge to the past for the community of Guåhan.

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