In ancient Guam the Chamorros worshiped the taotaomo’na which were the ancient spirits of ‘before’ and they guarded the land, sea and sky. They also worshipped the aniti which were the spirits of dead clan member that remained after death. They were animistic spirits that included nature, the seas and rock formations.
Traditionally Chamorros believed that illnesses were caused naturally or spirit causes and that understanding and respect must exist with the taotaomo’na and the aniti. Some ailments recorded were headaches, body aches, tooth aches, earaches, asthmas, women’s issues (fertility and menstruation), diabetes, high blood pressure, and taotaomo’na sickness (an illness cause by harming or disrespecting a taotaomo’na)
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The makahna and kakahna were the ancient shamans or healers of ancient Guam. The makahna asked the spirits to help heal and the kakahna communicated with the spirits to do good or evil. Their healing process included medicinal remedies such as plants and palai (a natural ointment blessed by the makahna and massaged into the skin)