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Don Muna is most known for his role as Vicente Flores in the Muna Bros. directorial debut, Shiro's Head. Don has over a decade of professional experience in multi-media production, including song writing, music production, cinematography, and video editing. And just like his big brother Kel, Don is also an independent producer, writer and director, but above all considers himself to be a true advocate of the arts.

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Leave your zori at the door!

November 4th, 2009 • Related • Filed Under

Hafa Adai! In preparation for the military buildup, I’ve decided to start posting some simple tips to help our non-local guests familiarize themselves with modern Chamorro culture to stay down with us local peeps.

For my first entry I would like to suggest some simple things to consider when visiting someone at a local family home.

When you arrive at the home of any local, regardless if you are picking up a friend or just visiting, please don’t honk your horn to announce your arrival. Do however, get down and knock and IF you’re invited in their home, please leave your zori, (flip-flops) at the door. Leaving your zori at the door is a must! We locals consider it a sign of respect for other people’s property! OPP YO! Just ask Treach!

My theory is that this tradition was taught to the Chamorros by the Japanese during their occupation of Guam in the 1940’s. Although this is just my theory, it makes a lot of sense don’t you think?

From time to time you may witness locals disrespecting the “remove your zori” tradition, but most likely this person is an immediate family member, usually a young child or a drunk uncle. Which of course at the moment, they don’t know any better.

Have fun, be well and gai respetu! More to come!

There Are 5 Responses So Far. »

  1. Comment by Sarah on 4 November 2009:

    Great idea, Don! Hilarious last paragraph, by the way. Looking forward to the next one.

  2. Comment by Don Muna on 4 November 2009:

    Hey Sarah, guess who loves their Baby Bjorn?

  3. Comment by 671Czar on 5 November 2009:

    just like how we grew up plaing Jan ken po, and not Rock paper scissors.
    the word zorie was also handed down to us from the Japanese. google “zories” and see

  4. Comment by Don Muna on 5 November 2009:

    bro, that’s so true!

  5. Comment by Sarah on 5 November 2009:

    Hi Don! Did we give you a Baby Bjorn? Wow, I am impressed ;D Just kidding. I don’t think we did ;D But now I wish we had! We can’t wait to see more pictures of your cutie pie.

    Sooo….I don’t know if I should ask this in private, but I think it would be cool to read about the mystery of the dual names-the one for school and the one for family, you know? When I’ve asked people about it, I get a look like, that’s a mystery topic, we shall not discuss, but I think it’s cool and would love to know a little more. If that’s alright. Not that it has anything to do with the military build-up, just a curiosity thing.

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