HAGÅTÑA, Guam — The Guam Council on the Arts & Humanities Agency (CAHA) is highlighting the enduring legacy of Master Frank Rabon, a pivotal figure in the preservation of Indigenous identity and the global revival of Bailan CHamoru. For over 40 years, Rabon has transitioned CHamoru dance from a nearly lost practice to a vibrant, international cultural movement.
Rabon, the founder of Guma Taotao Tano’ (House of the People of the Land), has been instrumental in creating a structured ecosystem for cultural education. His leadership led to the formation of key organizations such as Pa’a Taotao Tano’ and PIPIT, Inc., which focus on the promotion of the CHamoru language and ancestral knowledge through traditional song and chant.
Under Rabon’s guidance, CHamoru dance has become a staple of Guam’s public identity. His signature choreography, including the traditional blessing O Asaina, is now a fixture at official government functions and gubernatorial inaugurations. Beyond local shores, Rabon has led Guam’s delegations to the Festival of Pacific Arts since 1985 and contributed choreography to major international stages, including the 2000 Olympic Torch Ceremony.
The Master Dancer’s impact is most visible in Guam’s public school system, where he successfully integrated cultural dance into the curriculum. This initiative has sparked the creation of guma (cultural houses) across the CNMI, the continental U.S., and Japan, led by students who trained under his wing.
Recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Governor’s Art Award and an honorary doctorate from the University of Guam, Rabon remains a cornerstone of the arts community. He currently serves on the board of CAHA and stands as the sole surviving member of the original 1998 Guam Masters cohort.
