Move Like the Islands: Popular Dances on Guam
Popular Dances on Guam
Guam and the Philippines have a very close relationship. The CHamoru and Filipino people share similarities not only with their traditions, language, food, but also with cultural dance. Cultural dances are not just performances. They are beautiful expressions of shared values, identities, and historical backgrounds. When we as teachers bring cultural dance into the classroom, participating in these dances helps our children to connect with their heritage and strengthens bonds within the groups. This is a great opportunity to teach the children the lyrics and simple dance movements as they greet the audience with the “Hafa Adai” spirit!
“Hafa Adai” sung by Johnny Sablan (CHamoru musician, a pioneer known for recording the first commercial Chamorro album which established a musical identity for the island of Guam.
Here is another dance that the students will enjoy learning, called the “Bailan Batsu”. They can be taught in small groups. At parties or any celebration, the children will enjoy inviting all, young and old, to come up to the floor and dance the “Batsu”!
Here is another dance that everyone should be familiar with at parties here on Guam, the “Cha Cha”! The students will be taught the very basic steps. As they become more confident, they will be able to add their moves and grooves and dance the day away!
Tutorial Videos
And let’s not forget the ever popular modern “line dances”!
Learn Electric Slide for Kids
Citations:
Aguon, J. (2019, September 4). Bailan Batsu - Espiriton Guahan - 75th Guam Liberation Jacksonville NC - 2019 [Video] Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caXc7wD5SH0
Astakhov, O. (2025, September 26). CHA CHA CHA - for absolute beginners- tutorial by Oleg Astakhov [Video] Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9Apozk-ajZQ
Chamorro Association of the Midwest. (2019, February 2). "Hafa Adai" "Irensian Guahan"---- music by Johnny Sablan [VIdeo]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZS4zO9zqR8
DJ Raphi. (2020, March 9). The Cha Cha Slide Dance. [Video] Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1gMUbEAUFw
Griffiths, M. (2018, April 9). Marcia Griffiths - Electric Boogie (The Electric Slide) (Official Video). [Video] Youtube. https://youtu.be/1vF84LABHm0?list=RD1vF84LABHm0
Stepdsongrid. (2021, June 4). Cha cha cha easy dance tutorial #shorts [Video] Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/q_4bkPOVRtM
Shukla, P. (2021, December 6). Learn Electric Slide (Official Video) Children's Song | Dance Song by Patty Shukla | Dance Tutorial. [Video] Youtube. https://youtu.be/QC5rPT9Z9t4?list=RDQC5rPT9Z9t4
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