Gadao's Cave: Ancient Chamorro Rock Art

Gadao's Cave, also known as Liyang Gadao, is located near the village of Inalåhan on Guam's southern coast and is a window into the island's ancient Chamorro culture. The cave is a relatively short hike from the road. The cave contains rock art that is among the most important examples of Chamorro art. The cave features approximately 50 pictographs etched onto its walls using a mixture of coral lime and tree resin. These images, believed to be created as early as 800 CE, showcase depictions of human-like and animal-like figures, as well as geometric shapes. The most famous drawings are of two human figures, one appearing to carry something, thought to represent Chief Gadao and Chief Malaguaña from local legends. According to the legend, Chief Malaguaña, known for his strength, heard of Chief Gadao of Inalåhan and sought him out to challenge him. Meeting Gadao without knowing his true identity, Malaguaña was impressed by the villager's strength, who was able to squeeze milk from coconuts with his bare hands. Impressed, Malaguaña asked Gadao to take him to the chief, but Gadao never revealed himself. The cave itself is relatively small, measuring about three meters wide, two meters high, and six meters deep. The interior has a vertical drop of about 100 feet, leading to a chamber filled with numerous cultural artifacts. The site was added to the United States National Register of Historic Places in 1974.