Antonio Pigafetta: Group 1 Antonio Pigafetta: First Voyage Around The World
Antonio Pigafetta: Group 1 Antonio Pigafetta: First Voyage Around The World
- This first world voyage was one of the - However, an account of the expedition,
greatest achievements in the history of navy written between 1522 and 1525, was
- This voyage began to sail in September derived from the original journal: one in
“Magellan’s Voyage Around the World” capturing both interest and confusion.
- This was written on board one of the five - “Pigafetta’s writings provide us with the first
ships that was first to circumnavigate the detailed accounts of the people and cultures
they encountered—people who had never
before seen Europeans, whose languages
and ways of life were a mystery to the Mactan is described in detail by Pigafetta.
West. He recounts Magellan’s fatal encounter with
- He documented their customs, food, and Lapu-Lapu’s warriors, marking a turning
rituals, adding to the wealth of knowledge point in the expedition's leadership.
that the voyage brought back.”
● The Spread of religion
2. Religion - Magellan, a devout Christian, took it upon
- Religion is discreetly weaved throughout himself to convert local populations to
the story. It is mentioned that the explorers Christianity. Pigafetta's account highlights a
celebrate Easter during their stay, and the particular instance when the expedition met
priest holds a liturgy on Good Friday. with Rajah Humabon, a local ruler on the
- Indigenous people observe these sacred island of Cebu.
rites with respect, demonstrating an - His detailed journal provides valuable
openness to new spiritual experiences, insights into many aspects of the journey,
people, and foods. including the spread of Christianity during
the expedition.
3. Political Customs - Magellan's missionary efforts, as
- One other noteworthy feature of the Filipino documented by Pigafetta, reflect the
people as described in Antonio Pigafetta's intertwining of European exploration and the
travelog is their political customs, wherein spread of Christianity
the so-called "kings of the lands" were - The expedition was not only about finding
observed. new trade routes but also about bringing the
- The villagers regarded these kings with Christian faith to new lands.
loyalty and superiority, as they held the
greatest status on the particular island. HISTORICAL FIGURES MENTIONED
1. Ferdinand Magellan
Historical Events Mentioned 2. Juan Sebastian Elcano
● The Death of Magellan 3. King Charles I of Spain
In the midst of the voyage, the battle of Mactan 4. Lapu-Lapu
occurred, particularly on April 27, 1521. The
captain Ferdinand Magellan was killed during it. AUTHOR’ S PERSPECTIVE
Pigafetta, along with other 17 crews and Juan - Antonio Pigafetta was an Italian born
Sebastian Eleano as the acting leader, were the explorer, so he operated as a foreigner
only ones who got to return to Spain with the use of during his travels.
the vessel Victoria. The journal mentioned earlier - He put his own biases and values on his
was brought with him interpretation of the events
- One of the most famous events of the - Pigafetta was keen to document the natural
expedition, Magellan’s death at the Battle of world, the geography of new lands, and the
customs of the indigenous peoples they - It has become a valuable record of
met. indigenous people's cultures, traditions,
- His account is also influenced by his beliefs, languages, and lifestyles such as
personal experiences and emotions. He dressing, eating, and interacting with others.
describes the hardships of the voyage, the - This primary source is not just a historical
dangers they faced, and the joys of account of the past but is a treasure trove of
discovery. information that enriches our understanding
- He was fascinated by the different cultures of the grand narrative of Philippine History
he encountered, noting their customs, and opens the eyes of the people to the
religions, and social structures. He often Philippines' rich and complex history.
compared these cultures to European ones. - The document gave enough information
about what was in the past about Philippine
AUTHOR’ S BIASES history. We were able to gain knowledge
- Pigafetta's account often reflects a about our ancestors, past tradition and
Eurocentric worldview, viewing the cultures culture.
he encountered through a European lens. - Pigafetta's work encompasses not only
This manifested in Pigafetta often portraying details about the voyage but also an
non-European cultures as inferior or understanding of the people and languages
primitive. of the Philippines, as well as the culture and
- As a devout Catholic, Pigafetta's account is way of life of their ancestors.
often colored by his religious beliefs. He - The paper explains the bravery,
frequently interprets the customs and beliefs personalities, and defense of the
of indigenous peoples through a Christian Philippines, celebrates the good qualities
lens, often viewing them as pagan or and physical attractiveness of Filipinos, and
idolatrous. describes the introduction of Catholicism
- Pigafetta may have had limited and its acceptance by the Filipino people.
understanding of the languages and
customs of the indigenous peoples he
encountered, leading to misunderstandings
and misinterpretations.
● Religious Practices
Relevance to Philippine History
The Tagalogs practiced animism, revering
anitos (ancestor spirits) and deities. Bathala Juan de Plasencia' s Customs of the
was the supreme god. Other important spirits Tagalogs (1589) is a vital resource for
included Diyan Masalanta and Lakapati. understanding the socio-political structures
Babaylans (spiritual leaders) conducted rituals and culture of pre- colonial Tagalog society.
for harvests, safe travels, and healing. The It sheds light on indigenous life before and
during early Spanish colonization, making it ● Contribution to Philippine National
- The first to ever be hailed as the Philippines' - 7 months in Spain and a brief visit to New
- Born in Manila Resided in Daet, Camarines declining health. Married twice, he had 13
foundation of his artistic output. - Passed away from a heart attack on April
24, 1972.
AMORSOLO:“The Palay Maiden” (1920s) history. Amorsolo’s work here blends historical
Historical Context: It reflects the idealized rural life narrative with romanticism, celebrating the
and the significance of agriculture in the introduction of Catholicism while glossing over
identity amidst American colonization. - Mainly focused on social issues & historical
events
American colonial period, and Amorsolo’s works - Heavily influenced by European styles:
aligned with the push for cultural preservation. His romanticism & realism
portrayal of harmonious rural life countered the - Usually had dramatic expressions
“Only a part of what was observed in the past was “ The reconstruction of the total past of mankind,
remembered by those who observe it; only a part although it is the goal of historians, thus becomes
of what was remembered was recorded; only a the goal they know full well is UNATTAINABLE”
part of what was recorded has survived; only a
part of what has survived has come to the Historical Method
historian’s attention.” - Agreed ground rules for researching and
writing academic research or professional
“Only a part of what is credible has been grasped, history
and only a part of what has been grasped can be - Core protocols historians use for handling
expounded or narrated by the historian” sources
- Historians have to base their accounts on
A Historian source materials
1. Fallible ( capable of error…capable of - Historians need to be able to locate and
making mistakes ) organize the relevant sources on which they
2. Biases – personal, political, religious, will base their account
personal idiosyncrasies - Historians have to verify sources, to date
them, locate their place of origin and identify
Each has his own frame of preference their intended functions
– a set of interlocking values, loyalties, - The process of critically examining and
assumptions, interests and principles of actions analyzing the records and survivals of
the past
Thus, it involves
Different Interpretations 1. Selection of Subject
- Memoirs,
- Diary Four Main Categories of Primary
Sources
Non- written Sources 1. Written sources
- Oral history 2. Images
- Artifact 3. Artifacts
- Ruins 4. Oral testimony
- Fossils
- Art works Secondary Sources
- Video Recordings A secondary source interprets and analyzes
- Audio Recordings primary sources. These sources are one or more
steps removed from the event. Secondary sources
Primary Sources may have pictures, quotes or graphics of primary
- Testimony of an eyewitness sources in them.
- A primary source must have been produced
by a contemporary of the event it narrates Examples: History textbook Printed materials
- A primary source is a document or physical (serials, periodicals which interprets previous
object which was written or created during research)
the time under study.
- These sources were present during an Historical Criticism
experience of time period and offer an In order for a source to be used as evidence in
inside view of a particular event. history, basic matters about its form and content
- Primary sources provide first-hand must be settled
testimony or direct evidence concerning a 1. External Criticism
topic under investigation. They are created 2. Internal Criticism
External Criticism 4. Willingness to tell the truth e.g. to determine if
Test of Credibility
1. Identification of the author e.g. to determine his
reliability; mental processes, personal attitudes
2. Determination of the approximate date e.g.
handwriting, signature, seal
3. Ability to tell the truth e.g. nearness to the event,
competence of witness, degree of attention