Guam's Villages

The village of Inalåhan is located on the southeastern side of the island and is part of the Haya (Southern) District. This village derives its name from the word Halla. Halla means to pull something or move something with a rope tied to it. Another word that may give meaning to the village name is the word Halla. This word refers to a kind of large woven coconut basket used for storage of fish or vegetables.
 

The village of Umatac is located in the southwestern side of the island and is part of the Haya (Southern) District. This village derives its name from the word “uma”. “Uma” means to carry something on the back or a heavy load on the shoulders. Umatac is the smallest and second oldest of Guam’s villages after Inalåhan. This is the village that Ferdinand Magellan is alleged to have visited and it was through his escapades with the villagers that led him to rename Guam, the “Island of Thieves.”