13 Aug Famagu’on Yiyupåktu: Slinging the Spirit of the Mariana Islands Forward
In a time where the threads of identity often feel stretched thin across oceans, timelines, and technology—a sacred call has emerged, echoing from Guåhan to Luta, Sa’ipan to Tinian: Famagu’on Yiyupåktu 2025. It is more than a gathering. It is a revival. A spark reignited in the hearts of our youth to sling not just stones—but culture, honor, and legacy.
From Martial Arts to Slinging Stones: A Roadmap Rewritten
Famagu’on Yiyupåktu finds its roots in the very path that built community through combat—from mixed martial arts events like Fury Fighting Islands, Trench Wars, and Rites of Passage that united our islands in brotherhood through competition. That same spirit—of fierce pride matched by unshakable respect—has found new ground in the ancient practice of Chamorro slinging.
As one founder reflected, this movement is a spiritual successor to those early days. What started as jiu-jitsu matches and fight cards has transformed into a deeper form of service: instilling pride in cultural identity through the sling.
What is Famagu’on Yiyupåktu?
Held July 12-30, 2025, Famagu’on Yiyupåktu is a 10-day immersive camp that brings together youth slingers from all across the Mariana Islands. It is built on three pillars: culture, sport, and community service. Developed by ACHO Marianas and TheEffect, it is guided by the belief that the slingstone is more than a weapon—it is a tool for transformation.
Participants will learn:
- The fundamentals of responsible and ethical slinging
- Chamorro history and ancestral knowledge connected to the sling
- Team-building and leadership through daily training
- Seed slinging and tribute slinging to honor ancestors and sacred lands
- The mission to place a sling into the hand of the Magalåhi Kepuha monument, restoring strength and dignity to our public story
Workshops are paired with field trips to pre-colonial sites, museum collections, and community service around the island. The final challenge culminates in the Liberation Cup, where youth compete not for trophies, but for pride, unity, and cultural resurgence.
A Brotherhood Forged in Stone
The Mariana Islands have a long history of island vs. island rivalries—in martial arts, in sport, in cultural competition. But as the founder shared, “There have been possibly thousands of matches between Guam and Saipan in the last 25 years—but never one out-of-line incident. Win or lose, the values remained.”
Famagu’on Yiyupåktu is forging a new Marianas-wide brotherhood through slinging. Kids from Guåhan, Luta, Sa’ipan, and Tinian will not only train together—they will sit in story circles, share meals, build slings, and carry stones together. They will return to their villages not just as better athletes, but as cultural warriors tasked with leading the next generation.
The Spark Is Already Lit
From the outside, it might look like a youth camp. But to those who have witnessed it, it’s much more. It’s kids slinging thousands of stones with joy in their hearts and purpose in their eyes. It’s parents becoming involved, elders passing on knowledge, and a community realizing: this isn’t just about reviving a skill. It’s about rebuilding a people.
With help from partners like Fokai, Slingstones & Stories, the World Slinging Association, and cultural organizations throughout the region, the momentum is undeniable.
And it doesn’t stop here.
Carrying the Story to the World
Famagu’on Yiyupåktu will be the launching pad for this year’s Slinging World Tour, culminating in a powerful presentation at the Copa del Mundo in Ibiza. The youth of the Marianas will carry with them stories, footage, slings, and spirit—and show the world what it means to raise the slingstone high.
How You Can Help
To make this dream a reality, the community is seeking support for:
- Travel and lodging for off-island participants
- Meals and uniforms for all youth
- Equipment and materials for workshops
This is a defining moment for our islands.
Let us rise together. Sling for her honor. Sling for your ancestors. Sling for the future of the Marianas.