| Umatac Humåtak |
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|---|---|
| — Village — | |
| Location of Umatac within the Territory of Guam. | |
| Country | United States |
| Territory | Guam |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Dean D. Sanchez |
| Population (2007) | |
| • Total | 903 |
| Time zone | ChST (UTC+10) |
Umatac (Chamorro: Humåtak) is a village on the south-western coast of the island of Guam. The month of March in Chamorro is "Umatalaf," or "to catch guatafi," which is believed to be the root word of Umatac. [1] The village's population has decreased since the island's 2000 census. [2]
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Prior to Spanish arrival on the island, an annual celebration was held north of the village at Fouha Rock where the first humans were created according to the legends of the Chamorros, the native people of Guam.
In 1521, the portuguese Explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived on Guam while circumnavigating the globe. Umatac Bay is traditionally cited as the location of the Spanish landing. Another explorer, Miguel López de Legazpi, arrived in Umatac in 1565 and claimed the island of Guam for Spain. During both visits, misunderstandings led to the Spanish burning village homes and killing islanders.
When Guam was colonized in the 17th century, the Spanish made Umatac a parish so the Chamorros in the area could be converted to Christianity. Remains of two Spanish forts built on hills on either side of the village are still visible today.
In 1898, Guam was taken by the U.S. during the Spanish-American War. Under the U.S. administration, the small village has grown gradually. Today, the Discovery Day festival is held every year in the village. While the holiday was first established in memory of Magellan's discovery of the island, it is now a celebration of Chamorro culture.
Guam Public School System serves the island. The F. Q. Sanchez Elementary School in Umatac will close at the end of summer 2011 due to budget cuts. Students will shift to a nearby Merizo elemtary school.[3]
Southern High School in Santa Rita serves the village.[4]
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