Aghurubw (pronounced ''AH-guh-rue-b)'' was a Carolinian (Refaluwasch) Chief and navigator who led his people from Satawal to what is now

Saipan Saipan () is the largest island and capital of the Northern Mariana Islands, an unincorporated Territories of the United States, territory of the United States in the western Pacific Ocean. According to 2020 estimates by the United States Cens ...

commonwealth A commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. The noun "commonwealth", meaning "public welfare, general good or advantage", dates from the 15th century. Originally a phrase (the common-wealth ...

of the United States in the Western

Pacific Ocean The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of Earth's five Borders of the oceans, oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean, or, depending on the definition, to Antarctica in the south, and is ...

) in the early 19th century. Saipan from ISS 2

Navigation to and settlement of Saipan

After an 1815 typhoon destroyed life on their home island of

Satawal Satawal is a solitary coral atoll of one island with about 500 people on just over 1 km2 located in the Caroline Islands in the Pacific Ocean. It forms a legislative district in Yap State in the Federated States of Micronesia. Satawal is the ...

, Chief Aghurubw of the Ghatoliyool clan and Chief Nguschul (pronounced ''NU''-''GU''-''SCHUL'') of Elato asked permission from the Spanish Governor, Farallon de Medinilla, for their people to settle on the Island of Saipan. The Chiefs were granted permission to move to Saipan to manage their cattle herds, turning the island into a

ranch A ranch (from /Mexican Spanish) is an area of landscape, land, including various structures, given primarily to ranching, the practice of raising grazing livestock such as cattle and sheep. It is a subtype of farm. These terms are most often ap ...

or cattle plantation. They were also allowed to go to Tinian, an island neighboring Saipan. Aghurubw received a legal certificate and the traditional symbols of a leader, a cane and a tall black hat. Due to the tall hat, he was called ''parúng'', the Carolinian word for hat or cap, by the Ghatoliyool. Managaha SW 2014

To get to the island of Saipan, Aghurubw used an ancient sea route called metawal wool. He and his party landed on Micro Beach. After bringing the people there, the Carolinians built a village which he called Arabwal. In 1851, Aghurubw used contacts offering opportunities in the northern isles to advance himself. Following Chief Aghurubw and Chief Nguschulthe, more Carolinians came bringing their people and establishing villages on Saipan.

Legacy

After his death in Arabwal, Chief Aghurubw was buried in Mañagaha (Ghalaghal) island, where a statue now stands of him. He was buried upright upon his request, so he could see Micro Beach. The place is sacred to Refaluwasch people in

CNMI The Northern Mariana Islands, officially the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), is an unincorporated territory and commonwealth of the United States consisting of 14 islands in the northwestern Pacific Ocean.Lin, Tom C.W.Ameri ...

as a result of his life, influence and burial there. People visit the island every year to celebrate him. The people of Saipan celebrate 'Chief Aghurubw Day', a holiday which is an important part of the

Refaluwasch The Carolinian people (endonym: Refaluwasch) are a Micronesian ethnic group who originated in the Caroline Islands, with a total population of over 8,500 people in the Northern Mariana Islands. They are also known as Remathau in Yap's outer ...

culture on the

. Additionally, the Ghatoliyool Clan established the Chief Aghurubw Foundation to further his legacy and impact.

References

{{reflist Northern Mariana Islands Indigenous peoples of Micronesia Caroline Islands Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands Northern Mariana Islands people of Carolinian descent