Proverbs are popular sayings, phrases of wisdom or simply a piece of advice. Proverbs express a people’s basic beliefs and values. Chamorro proverbs are often based on core values and practices of respect, generosity and honesty.

In the 1930s pre-war Guam, anthropologist Laura Thompson documented some single verse proverbs which were later published in her book Guam and Its People:

Proverbs can also be found in multiple-versus called Kantan Chamorita, which is a traditional Chamorro form of an impromptu call-and-response song. A stanza is composed of four lines with the fourth line being the call for the opponent and has to be included into the response. Chamorita has a single musical composition in which impromptu verses are composed. It was performed in competition between clans or during family gatherings when work was being done.

Kantan Chamorrita is a unique form of artistic expression by the Chamorro people. The poetry of the stanzas reflects Chamorro cultural beliefs and practices. Words or phrases took on clever and witty new meanings in regards to the singer’s rival.

Historian Lawrence Cunningham provides examples of Kantan Chamorita proverbs in his book Ancient Chamorro Society: