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Folklore & Traditions
While visitors to the CNMI can see the influence of many cultures, Chamorro and Carolinian folklore and traditions prevail. Traditionally, Chamorro peoples were farmers and Carolinian peoples were fisherman. Some of this lifestyle is still evident today.

Legends
Many interesting legends abound throughout the Marianas and it is not possible to recount them all. However, one of interest concerns the Taotaomonas said to be the spirits of ancient Chamorros, which lurk at night among jungle burial sites, in Banyan trees and around Latte sites. Translated as "the people before time,” belief in these ghosts has persisted despite more than 300 years of Catholic teaching. When affected by the spirit of a Taotaomona, a Suruhana (female witch doctor) or a Suruhano (male witch doctor) is sometimes consulted for secret cures of various herbs, coconut bark, and leaves of certain trees. It is believed that forgiveness for displeasing spirits can sometimes be obtained by chanting, "Elders please forgive me for all the evil I have done.” There are also good Taotaomonas, which are called "Gachong" .

Another popular belief holds that the famous aviatrix Amelia Earhart (Mrs. George P. Putnam) and her navigator Fred Noonan were imprisoned by the Japanese on Saipan after their Lockheed Electra-10 disappeared on July 1, 1937 during a flight from Lea , New Guinea to Howland Island. In spite of many theories, no evidence exists that they were picked up by the Japanese and transported to Saipan. Japanese authorities have consistently denied any knowledge of their disappearance .