View source for Måmå'on

'''Måmå'on''' is the Chamorro word for cultural practice of chewing [[pugua'|pugua' (betelnut)]] with [[pupulu|pupulu (pepper leaf)]], and [[åfok|åfok (slaked lime)]].  It is a practice that goes back millenia.  Generally, the pugua' mahetok (hard betelnut, mature seed) is extracted from the husk by cutting with [[tiheras pugua'|tiheras pugua' (betelnut scissors)]] or by biting the nut in half, and then in quarters.  This portion of the seed is then either wrapped with pupulu, or not, and chewed.  The inclusion of åfok is at the preference of the chewer.  Generally all three components are used.  In more modern times, pugua' mañaña' or soft betelnut (green immature fruits) are chewed more frequently.  Interestingly, during dry season many chewers allow the "last" råsimu (raceme, but botanically a spadix) to mature because the fruits have a longer shelf life off the tree.  

[[File:betelnutbasket.jpg|thumb|pugua' and pupulu in a kottot]]