The Culture of Ancient Filipinos

The Philippines Before Spain

By Pathetic Man, published Apr 09, 2006
Published Content: 17  Total Views: 72,160  Favorited By: 1 CPs
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Contrary to popular historical beliefs, the Philippines had a rich culture prior to its discovery by the Spanish expedition led by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. Often it is depicted as just a chaotic mix of primitive tribes at odds with each other owing its civilization to Spain. It was in fact a thriving society that had established relations with its’ other Asian neighbors. It bartered gold, pearls, corals, cotton and rattan with the Arabs, Chinese and Japanese traders as early as the 10th century. A copper artifact discovered in 1989 which was dated to 900 B.C. proves the existence of a written script, a distinguishing mark of any civilization.

What we now know as the countries of Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines was once the Malay Archipelago. Prehistoric aborigines, a cross of Afro-Asiatic and Austro-Aborigines, now called Negritos (Aeta, Agta, Ayta) was the first to explore the archipelago around 15,000 to 30,000 B.C. Using land bridges this nomadic tribe settled the Pacific islands including the Philippines. In its midst, other ancient civilizations were also evolving. The Proto-Malays, a Mongol Asiatic race, arrived around 2500 B.C. Unlike the Negritos, who were hunters and gatherers, the Proto-Malays were seafarers and farmers. They built their houses in trees and created fire for cooking. More advanced, they drove the Negritos into the mountains. The next to arrive were the Duetero-Malays, of India-Asiatic race (Indian, Chinese, Siamese, Arabic), that prevailed with a more superior and advanced culture. They have their own alphabet and were able to read and write. They possessed knowledge in metallurgy allowing them to use it for swords, arrows and other weapons. They also used it to fashion jewelry and other adornments. They were skilled boat (balangay) builders and excellent farmers.

Takeaways
  • The datu with his family and immediate relatives are the highest social class.
  • The middle class was the �mahadlika� or �maharlika.�
  • The lowest class was the �alipin.�
Comments
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sayang di maxado naeemphsize ung cultr ntin. sna we can have our own jumong here

Posted on 03/16/2008 at 6:03:56 PM

 
wala masyado content

Posted on 10/07/2007 at 5:10:00 AM

 
selfish...can't copy

Posted on 09/28/2007 at 11:09:00 PM

 
l really got mad when other nationalities says Filipino doesnt have own culture . l would be vey happy to get hold of some copies to show them or may be l can just give them the website so they can read and be well informed.

Posted on 09/25/2007 at 2:09:00 AM

 
kindly give me ur references..

Posted on 09/11/2007 at 5:09:00 AM

 
so selfish....cant copy

Posted on 08/31/2007 at 5:08:00 AM

 
no pix....pls improve your web...for some use of students....

Posted on 08/31/2007 at 5:08:00 AM

 
bakit nga alang picture kaylanga ko pa naman nun........... sana nxt tym magpose naman kyo na mga related link par mas magin brod ung learnings at ng ndi lng sanyo makakkuha ng data......... bayanihang pinoy naman tyo dba..... thanks.......

Posted on 08/22/2007 at 11:08:00 PM

 
wow atleast alam ko na hindi ako ang only Pinoy that is proud and knows his stuff about the Philippines! whoever wrote this rules! and to all the Pinoy people that read this and didnt give a crap, go die please!

Posted on 08/13/2007 at 11:08:00 PM

 
mali

Posted on 07/18/2007 at 9:07:00 AM

 
You know. It makes me sad that very few Filipnos barely know much of their own history. I am one to admit that I know only what I was taught in the books that I've learned in school which is very very vague about the Philippines. I've only counted less than 10 "Philippines" in my history book. They also taught fallacy. They never gave the name of the man who killed Magellan. Why? I'm not so sure. It sickens me that there are no books in Barnes and Nobles to purchase to learn more of my people. It aches that very few know the truth and our rich culture

Posted on 06/12/2007 at 9:06:00 AM

 
alang picture pangit...

Posted on 12/13/2006 at 8:12:00 PM

 
It is really really useful for my project in Araling Panlipunan>>>>>>Thank You very much! : )

Posted on 09/10/2006 at 4:09:00 AM

 
you shuold allow us to copy it because its for our project.........

Posted on 09/05/2006 at 4:09:00 AM

 
why can't we copy it?but i read it already

Posted on 09/03/2006 at 3:09:00 AM

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