The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

LEGEND BELIEF

WHILE LIVING IN GUAM, MY MOTHER WONDERED WHY THE GUAMANIAN PEOPLE
LIVED IN HOUSES ON STILTS, AND SO SHE ASKED A GUAMANIAN FRIEND
OF OUR FAMILY, AND HE TOLD HER THAT HUNDREDS OF YEARS AGO, THE
PEOPLE WERE VERY PAGAN (BEFORE THE SPANISH BROUGHT CHRISTIANITY TO
GUAM). BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED IN MANY GODS AND EVIL SPIRITS AND THE
SUCH THEY BUILT THEIR HOUSES ON STILTS TO KEEP THE EVIL SPIRITS
FROM ENTERING THEIR HOMES. OF COURSE, THE PRACTICE ALSO KEEPS THE
INSECTS OUT OF THE HOUSES AND THE DAMPNESS AND , SO IT IS A
VERY PRACTICAL PRACTICE, ALSO.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): PRACTICALITY

Date learned: 03-30-1968