Journeys To The Heart: Pacific Islanders Celebrate Their Indigenous Culture

This is the reimagined second edition of “Journeys To The Heart: Pacific Islanders Celebrate Their Indigenous Cultures,” by CHamoru artist and Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Manny Crisostomo.

Crisostomo spent five months re-editing his over 50,000 original raw photo files, redesigned the over 200 pages and spent days at the printing company making sure the production quality is to his high standards. 

Special limited edition of 1000 (600 books have been sold or presold) 

Hardcover

12.25" by 10.75"

210 pages

This limited edition is published by Kutturan CHamoru Foundation (KCF) , a Long Beach, California based non-profit. Its mission the past 30 years is to fulfill the needs of underrepresented diasporic CHamoru communities and preserve the heritage of the Mariana Islands to include: Guam, Saipan, Tinian and Rota through dance, music, chant, language and peer mentoring. 

Proceeds of book sales will continue KCF's mission to perpetuate the CHamoru culture through movement and action.    

Synopsis

“Walking out to the roar and cheers of a packed stadium as a member of the Guam delegation during the opening ceremony of the 12th Festival of Pacific Arts in my home island of Guam is one of the most incredible and amazing experiences of my rich and truly blessed life.”

This is the opener to Manny Crisostomo’s journey to document FestPac, a traveling festival hosted every four years by a different country in Oceania. The event was conceived to stem the erosion of traditional cultural practices by sharing and exchanging ideas at each festival. Crisostomo covered the event for more than two weeks and shot more than 50,000 images during the largest cultural expo to take place in Guam’s history. 

This 210 page hardcover limited edition book honors and celebrates through images the more than 3,000 performers, artists and cultural icons from 25 island nations across the Pacific who showcased their indigenous cultures in what is called the “Olympics of Pacific Arts.” 

Preface

As the indigenous people of Oceania, we are anchored in our roles as storytellers, seafarers, weavers, artists, healers, dance creatives, historians and cultural bearers who move collectively, carrying forth the legacy of our ancestors. As you turn the pages of “Journey to the Heart II,” you are immersed in the nobility and elegance from island nation to island nation preserving our Pacific Islander heritage for us in the present and for those who have yet to come. Manny Crisostomo’s keen and gentle eye redefines the reverence and emotions we all felt as participants and witnesses of the Festival of Pacific Arts, Guam, in 2016. He captures the true essence of our Pacific Islander culture from the powerful vessels to the graceful movements and emotions which illuminate off of the pages.

We hope that you enjoy “Journeys to the Heart II” and embrace the vast richness of Oceania. As we stand on the shoulders of our ancestors, perpetuating our Pacific Islander heritage, language and culture, we commit to understanding and documenting our history and struggles, standing in solidarity in the battle for self-determination, celebrating our rich vibrant culture and all that it brings to the world.

Gi Kinalamten-ta Ta Hågu'i I Håle'ta — In our movements, we reach for our roots.

Fafanå’gue Heidi Chargualaf Quenga

Executive Director, Kutturan CHamoru Foundation

Performing Arts Diaspora Chair,

Festival of the Pacific Arts, Guam 2016