Hand Carved Bone Sea Turtle Necklace – Latte Stone, CHamoru Pride

Hafa Adai! Or Hello- thanks for checking out my Micronesian & Polynesian Jewelry Collection. This piece is 💯 Hand Carved Solid Buffalo Bone. The necklace is 32” in length, however it can be adjusted to wear as a surfer choker or mid length boho style. If you’re from Guam or the Micronesia islands, you recognized this immediately! If not, let me share the amazing significance of this stone. A latte stone or simply latte (also latde, latti, or latdi), is a pillar (Chamorro haligi). This architectural marvel was built by ancient Micronesians and can be found throughout the Mariana islands. In modern times, the latte stone is seen as a sign of Chamorro identity and is used in many different contexts. It’s on the USA Guam and Micronesian Islands Quarter and an important identity factor to locals. Haggan or Haggan Bedi is the Chamorro name for the Green Sea Turtle. Green sea turtles have had an intricate historic role in CHamoru culture and diet. Turtle was traditionally eaten at feasts in the past, including weddings, funerals and other ceremonial events. Both the meat and eggs were served as delicacies. CHamorus used turtle shells to craft jewelry including bracelets, necklaces, and pendants. Turtle shells were also used to make children’s wealth called guinahan fama’guon which was worn as a necklace. Turtle bones were traditionally used to make tools as well.