The Legend of The White Lady of Fonté Point

  • Published
  • By Joyce Martratt
  • 36th Wing
In the early years of my childhood, there were many instances where strange and unexplained experiences occurred here. Chamorro parents handed down these legends through generations and many are believed to this day. 

Long ago, families from upper Mongmong village walked to church early in the morning and after returning to their homes, there were occasions when a group of people witnessed a lady in a white flowing gown with long silvery hair and a sad face that sometimes wasn't clear. Of course, everyone became terrified, adults started praying and the children ran away. The lady in white lingered for maybe less than 30 seconds and was seen elsewhere on the island throughout the years. 

This legend dates back to late 1600s. A dashing, romantic Spanish officer pursued and courted a beautiful daughter of a prominent Chamorro family. Proud and happy for their daughter, the parents gave her permission to marry the officer. After the couple came back from their honeymoon, they settled in the village of Maina. In the beginning, the couple was happy, but the Spaniard's attitude began to change. Soon, he began to expect his wife to wait on him. He became demanding and abusive. 

There was a river not far from their home, and the water was fresh, pure and sweet. He ordered his wife to fetch him water from this river every day. Finding it a relief to be away from her husband, the wife used this time as a happy and secret ritual. She took her time enjoying the serenity of the flowers and bamboo trees surrounding the river. She especially treasured the time she was at the river when there was a full moon. One day, she lost track of time and took longer when fetching the water. Her husband became angry and wanted to punish her. 

One stormy night, he commanded her to get water. The wind was blowing hard, the rain poured heavily and whole land was in total darkness. Because of the weather, she had a difficult time finding her way to the river. Not realizing she was near the river bank she walked right into soft wet soil when suddenly she felt herself pulled into the river with great force. The water was whirling and turbulent. It wrapped her with intense raging force; she screamed, but no one heard her. The husband became so angry when she did not come home that he immediately took off to look for her; other villagers also went. 

The officer saw the aftermath of the storm and the still flooding river waters. He realized what happened and what he had done. His wife's body was never found, and the Spaniard became repentant, grieved for his wife and died lonely not long afterwards. 

After all this happened, a lady in a white flowing gown, long silvery hair and sad, teary eyes was seen and continues to be seen to this day. She is seen at dusk and disappears when the moon rises over the bridge in Maina where the Fonté River is located. Many people avoid passing the bridge at night. 

The Chamorros believe in this legend, but is it true or is it just imagined? If one day you encounter such a vision, say a prayer for the lady; she is a reminder to us in our world today that physical or mental abuse should not tolerated. 

Senseramente,
si Joyce Martratt