Matå'pang facts for kids
Matå'pang (died 1680) was an important Chamorro leader, known as a maga'låhi or chief. He lived in the ancient Chamorro village of Tomhom on the island of Guahan. His name in the Chamorro language means "to be made pure by cleansing."
Matå'pang is famous for standing up against the Spanish when they tried to take control of Guam. He had a big conflict with a Spanish priest named Diego Luis de San Vitores, who was an early missionary from Spain, and his helper, Pedro Calungsod. This conflict led to the deaths of the priest and his helper by Matå'pang and his friend Hurao.
Today, many people who want the Chamorro people to have more control over their own future see Matå'pang as a hero.
Matå'pang's Life and Actions
When he was younger, Matå'pang became a Christian. But later, he stopped following the Christian faith. He saw that the Spanish were using their religion to try and control the Chamorro people and change their culture.
In 1672, Father San Vitores tried to bring Matå'pang back to the church. He secretly baptized Matå'pang's baby daughter. This made Matå'pang extremely angry. It wasn't just the baptism that upset him. It also broke a very important rule, or "taboo," against entering a chief's home without permission.
After finding out about his daughter's baptism, Matå'pang quickly found San Vitores and killed him.
The death of San Vitores caused the Spanish mission on Guam to turn into open fighting. Matå'pang became a key leader for the Chamorro people during these battles. However, he was hurt in a fight and went to the nearby island of Rota to get better.
A Spanish fleet was sent to Rota to find Matå'pang. The people of Rota became afraid that the Spanish would get angry with them. So, they turned against Matå'pang. The people of Rota attacked him and forced him onto a boat. Matå'pang died from his injuries while sailing back to Guam.
See also
In Spanish: Mata'pang para niños
- Hurao
- Gadao
