Module 3: (6 hours)

Title: Before the Conquest

Introduction
If we look at the traditional written history of our country, Ferdinand Magellan, a
European voyager discovered the Philippines. However, there are archaeological
records and narratives written by Chinese & Muslim scholars that shows early
relations of Philippine with neighboring countries even before the coming of the
Spaniards. Centuries before the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, the ancient
Filipinos had already maintained relations with India, Japan, China, and Arabia.
These Asian countries had influenced, enriched, and invigorated an early Philippine
culture.

Objectives:
1. Discover the rich culture of the Philippines in pre-historic times.
2. Recognize a number of vocabulary items and signs which appear in .
3. Identify the relation of Philippines and other nation before the conquest.

Guide Questions:
1. What were the cultural influences brought about by the Asian traders to the ancient
Filipinos?
2. How did the teachings of Islam influence the Filipino society?
3. How was a cheiftain selected in barangay?
4. Discuss how the early Filipino communities live and interact with other islanders.
5. Which among the ancient Filipino traditions still exist at present?

Early Relations with Arabs

 Arabian scholar Mudum/Mukdum went to Philippines specifically in Sulu not

only for trade but also to preach the doctrines of Mohammed, 1380.
 Raja Baginda, a ruler of Menangkabaw, Sumatra, reached Sulu and converted
natives to Islam., 1390.
 Abu Bakr followed to convert natives to Islam when he left Palembang for Sulu,
1450. Abu Bakr married the daughter of Raja Baginda, Princess Paramisuli, . He
established the Sultanate of Sulu and became the first Sultan while Paramisuli
became the Sultana.
 Serif Kabungsuan led the spreading of Islam in other part of Mindanao
specifically in Maguindanao. He established the Sultanate of Maguindanao, he
became the Sultan and his wife, Putri Tutina became the Sultana. This starts the
rapid spread of Islam in Visayas and Mindanao.

Relations with the Orang Dampuans

Between 900-1200 A.D, Orang Dampuans or Men from Champa, traders from
Southern Annam arrived in Philippines. They established trading posts in Sulu and
were able to increase their prosperity which made Buranuns, natives of Sulu got
jealous. The jealousy of the natives (Buranuns) turns to anger that led them to
massacre some Orang Dampuans. As a revenge, the latter took their bloody revenge
and sailed back to their homeland. In13th century, the Orang Dampuans returned to
Sulu to make a peaceful trade with the natives.
Relations with Banjarmasin

An important sub-states of Sri Vijaya empire, the Banjarmasin and Brunei sent
traders in Sulu.. They were able to establish regular trade between the Burnans and
Banjar(people of Banjarsamin). At first, the Buranuns looked with suspicion at the
Banjars because of their unforgotten tragic experience with the Orang Dampuans.
But, the Banjars made a way to build a good relationship with the natives, they
brought their beautiful princess in Sulu, and became the queen of their ruler.

Banjars greatly influenced the people of Sulu; their place became under the
thumb of Banjarsamin. With that, the Barjans sent more traders and adventurers to
Sulu. This event pressured the natives to leave the coasts to the immigrants.

Relations with China

Base on the known history of our country, Philippines had connections with
China. Trades between the two countries started in the 9 th century, this became
possible because of arab traders. Philippine products were brought in mainland China
by Arab ships.

During the Sung Dynasty (960-1127), goods of China began to flow continuously
in the Philippines. In the coastal towns of the archipelago, Colonies were established.
While, during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) other colonies were created. Chinese
regained its control of Philippines when Yung Lo, the Ming emperor came to the
throne of China in 1402-1424 but it also ended when the said ruler died.

In the 15th century, Chinese traders suffered a setback when Islam began to spread
in the Southern Philippines that is why they find new trading routes that is not under
the muslims. But later on, they were allowed to to trade in areas under the sway of
Islam.

The Ten Bornean Datus

The ten cheiftains of Borneo , Datus Puti, Bangkaya, Dumalugdog, Sumakwel,

Lubay, Paiburong, Dumangsil, Balensusa, Paduhinog, and Dumangsol, together with
their families decided to leave their place using their balangays to search for freedom
from Sultan Makatunaw who are mistreating them. After days of sailing, they
reached Panay which is inhabited by the Negritos called Atis header by their chieftain
Marikudo and wife Maniwantiwan. With the suspicion of the natives that they have
evil intention, Datu Puti assured them that their intention of setting their foot in the
place is good. He explained that they just want to buy land where they could
peacefully settle. Marikudo decided to sell his land to the these datus in exchange of
gold salakot and long gold necklace for Maniwantiwan.

After settling in Panay, Datus Puti, Balensusa, and Dumangsil sailed to Luzon
and disembarked around Lake Bonbon (Lake Taal). The place were blessed with
fertile soil , a good reason for Dumangsil and Balensusa to settle there while Datu
Puti returned to Borneo. The family of the two Datus, Dumangsil and Balensusa
spread out to places now known as Laguna and Bicol Peninsula. While, the seven
datus left in Panay divided the the island into three: Hantik (Antique) - Datu
Sumakwel; Irong-irong (now Iloilo) - Datu Paiburong, and Aklan(Aklan or Capiz)-
Datu Bangkaya. The datus created a political organization called the Confederation of
Madyaas headed by Datu Sumakwel.

Alleged Code of Kalantiyaw

Laws or orders- promulgated by the cheiftains and/or council of orders.
In 1433, Datu Kalantiyaw (3rd Datu of Panay) issued orders to guide the actions
of his people called the Code of Kalantiyaw.

Influences/Contributions

Group/Tribe Influences Particulars

Orang Dampuans Economic  Activated trade activity in Sulu.
Banjars Economic  Sulu became one of the chief trading centers
in the region.
Arabs Religious  Introduced Islam
Political  The coming of Islam and the establishment
of a sultanate.
Cultural  Arabic scripts, Muslim art and science, use
of firearms, sarimanok design in the
Maranao decorative art, calendar, law, and
literature.
 Arabic words in the Muslim language: Kali
(judge), shara (law), Koran (bible), dunya
(world), pandita (priest), and nabi (prophet).
 Arabic words in Tagalog: pilat (scar) and
sulat (letter).
India Religious  Hindu elements are seen in the names of the
gods of the ancieent Filipinos such as
Bathala (supreme god), Manasalitan
(creator of the Universe), Badla (creator of
man), Pudaugnon (destroyer of men.

Cultural  The “bahala na” philosophy

 Indarapatra and Sulayman of Mindanao,
Biag Ni Lam-ang of Ilocandia and the Ilim
of the Mountain Provincereflect influences
from Indian Mahabharata
 The use of sarong and putong by the ancient
Filipinos and the present-day tight fitting
trousers and embroidered shawls of the
Muslims are Hindu origin.
 Ancient Filipino acknowledge of metal
work and use of weapons and armors
reflects Hindu influences
 Indian influences on Ancient Filipino
languages are titles of nobility such as
maharlika, hari, lakan, and lakambini.
 Ancient Filipino system of writing also
reflected influence from Sanskrit (ancient
language of India)
 China Cultural  Use of umbreallas, gongs, procelain, and
use of metals like silver
 Manufacture of gunpowder, metallurgy,
wearing of loose clothing like jackets and
trousers.
 Use of Slippers and the wearing of yellow
clothes among the nobles and use of blue
dress among the commoners
 Use of white clothing among Muslim.
 Ancestral worship, arranged marriage,
professional mourners during funerals, and
values of respect accorded by the children
of their elders;patience; entrepreneurship.
 Chinese wrods in Filipino dialects are sanko
(elder brother), pingga(porter’s pole),
unghoy (oil lamp), pancit (noodles), and tsa
(tea).
 Introduced Chinese food such as lechon
(roasted pig), pansit, ukoy, siopao, lumpia,
and vegetables.
Japan Economic  Methods of manufacturing agricultural
implements and making of weapons
 Metallurgy, jewelry-making, and tanning of
deerskin
 Taught the industry of breeding duck and
fish export.

Early Customs and Practices

Clothing
 Kanggan - upper part clothe of men; collarless short-sleeved jacket.
Chief - color red jacket; below rank - blue or black
 Bahag - lower part clothe of men; strip of cloth wrapped around the waist and in
between the legs of men.
 Putong - men’s headgear
 Baro or Camisa - upper part cloth of women; wide sleeved-jacket
 Saya (Tagalog) and Patadyong (Visayans) - women’s skirt
 Tapis - piece of white or red cloth wrapped around the waist of women.

Ornaments
 Kalumbiga - armlets, gold rings, gold necklaces, gold bracelets.
 Pintados - tattoos

House
 Bahay Kubo - bamboo or wood stakes (haligi) held the hut above the ground
 Batalan - washing and bathing area
 Boat-houses - houses of badjaos or sea gypsies of Sulu

Social Classes
Philippine society was divided into three classes:
1. Noble (Maharlika)
 Chiefs and their family
 They carried the title Gat or Lakan
 Wielded tremendous influence in the barangay
 Privileged

2. Freemen (Timawa)
 Middle class
 Free-born or freed slaves

3. Dependents (Alipin)
Acquired his low status by:
 Inheritance
 Captivity in war
 Failing to pay his debts
 Purchase

Two types of Alipin:

1. Namamahay
 Had his own house
 Served his master during planting and harvest season
 Help in construction of house
 Served visitors

2. Sagigilid
 No property of his own
 Lived with the master
 Could not marry without the master’s consent

Types of Dependents (Visayans)

1. Tumataban - works for his master when summoned to do so
2. Tumarampuk - work for one day
3. Ayuey - work for three days

Gradations among dependents

1. Full Dependent - Parents are both dependents
2. Half Dependent - Parents: Full Dependent + Freemen

Status of Women
 They have equal rights with men
 They could own and inherit property
 They can engage in trade and industry
 They can succeed to the chiefstainship of a barangay
 They had the exclusive right to give names to their children

C. Politics
Government
 Barangay
 - came from the word balangay which mean boat load of people
- each barangay is composed of 30-100 families
-they are ruled by chieftains called datu, gat, lakan, hari. Their primary duty is to
rule, govern and promote welfare and interest of their subjects. They exercised all the
functions of the government - executive, legislative, and judicial. They were also
advised by elders which constitute the “council of elders”.
- each barangay was independent from each other, no central government.

Laws
1. Customary - these are laws handed down orally from generation to generation.
Most laws in barangay are under this.
2. Written - these are formal laws promulgated by the chieftain and elders.

How laws was made:

1. Chieftain informed the elders about the law he wanted to promulgate
2. Elders will approve
3. Chieftain made the necessary regulations
4. Approved by elders
5. Umalohokan (public announcer) go around the barangay to to announce the
promulgation of the new rules and regulations

Judicial Process
-conflicts arising between subjects of various barangays were resolved by
arbitration.The arbiter are elders from neutral barangay.
-Trials were held publicly and decisions are done immediately. This process avoids
what is now known as “justice delayed”

D. Culture

Religious Beliefs
 the ancient filipinos believed in the immortality of the soul and in life after death.
Deities:
Bathala (Diyos) - creator of the earth and men.
Idiyanale- god of agriculture
Sidapa - god of death
Balangaw - god of rainbow
Mandarangan - god of war
Agni - fire of god
Magwayen - god of other world
Lalahon- goddess of harvest
Siginarugan - god of hell
Diyan masalanta - god of love

 Ancient filipinos adored anitos(tagalog) and diwata (Visayan). Anitos are ancient
version of what we call now saints.
 Baylana or katalona - priest and priestess

Burial/Mourning Practices
 Laraw/larao - mourning for a dead chieftain
 Maglahe - for a dead man; Morotal -dead woman
Language and Dialects
 More than a hundred languages and dialects were spoken by Filipinos. There are
8 major languages:
A. Tagalog B. Iloko C. Pangasinense D. Kapampangan
E.Sugbahanon F. Hiligaynon G. Samaranon h. Maguindanao

Literature
- Ancient Filipino literatures are both written and oral.

Oral Literature
A. Awit (songs) B. Salawikain (Proverbs) C. Hele (Cradle songs)
D.Bugtong (Riddles) E. Ihiman(wedding songs)

Written Literatures
A. Epics (Hudhud and the Alim - Ifugao; Biag ni Lam-Ang -ilocano; Handiong -
Bicolanos; Bantungan, Indarapatra, Sulayman, Parang Sabil - muslims)

Music and Dances

Musical Instruments
 Kudyapi - guitar (tagalog)
 Tultogan - bamboo drum (visayan)
 Silbay - red flute (iloco)
 Kutibeng - five-stringed guitar (ilocano)

Dances
 Balitaw and Dandansoy - Visayans
 Kumintang - love dance of tagalogs
 Mahinhin - courtship dance of Tagalogs
 Kinnotan - Ilocanos ant dance