The Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas has renamed a recently-acquired and refurbished canoe after one of its great local chiefs.
Ladahao Photo: Supplied/ Mark Rabago
The 500 Sails organization has renamed the 40-foot Roberta L vessel after the great chief, Ladahao, from the ancient Chamorro village of Alaian or Araiao.
The organization said it was important that canoes were given Chamorro names.
According to historical records, Ladahao refused to bow to the oppressive Spaniards in the 1700s who forced the Catholic religion on the Chamorro people and led the Chamorro people in many battles against the Spaniards.
