Pre-Colonial Philippines Overview

Overview

This lecture covers the pre-colonial history of the Philippines, including its geography, early peoples, sociopolitical developments, trade networks, religious influences, and first contact with Europeans.

Geography and Early Peoples

• The Philippines is an archipelago of over 7,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean, situated on the geologically active Ring of Fire.
• Only about 1,000 islands are inhabited, mostly small in size.
• The three main island groups are Luzon (north), Visayas (central), and Mindanao (south).
• Luzon is the largest and most populous, containing the capital, Manila.
• Early hominids in the Philippines include Homo erectus (700,000 years ago) and Homo luzonensis (134,000 years ago).
• Modern humans (Homo sapiens sapiens) appeared about 47,000 years ago.
• Austronesian peoples arrived by 3000 BCE, migrating from Taiwan, other islands, and the Asian mainland.

Early Society and Trade

• Early settlements formed along rivers and were isolated by geography, preventing centralized political structures.
• Communities were maintained through kinship and intermarriage.
• Trade networks, such as the Maritime Jade Road, connected the islands to mainland Asia by 2000 BCE.
• Philippine artifacts and imported metal goods demonstrate extensive trade and cultural exchange.

Sociopolitical Structure

• Written history begins around 900 CE with the Laguna Copperplate Inscription.
• Society organized into barangays: independent communities of 30–500 people.
• Confederal barangays could be led by a Paramount Leader among local Datus.
• Rulers in some areas were titled Rajah (Indian-influenced) or Sultan (Islamic-influenced).
• Society was class-based: Maginoo (ruling class), Maharlika (freemen), and Alipin (enslaved).

Religion and Cultural Influences

• Early Filipinos practiced polytheistic animism, ancestor worship, and magic.
• Hinduism and Buddhism arrived before the 9th century, influencing local beliefs and governance.
• Islam was introduced in 1380 by Makhdum Karim and spread through trade and political alliances.

Pre-Colonial States and Trade

• Main documented polities: Tondo, Maynila, Sultanate of Sulu, Rajahnate of Butuan, Caboloan, Ma-i, and Pulilu.
• Trade and tribute relations existed with China, Champa, India, and Indonesia.
• The Bruneian Sultanate exerted influence in the late pre-colonial period.

First European Contact

• Ferdinand Magellan's Spanish expedition arrived in 1521, landing at Suluan and Homonhon islands.
• Raja Humabon of Cebu converted to Catholicism; resistance led by Datu Lapulapu culminated in the Battle of Mactan where Magellan was killed.
• After Magellan’s death, Spanish influence paused for four decades.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Barangay — an independent socio-political unit in early Philippines, similar to a city-state.
• Datu — local chieftain or leader of a barangay.
• Rajah — Indian-influenced title for ruler, used in some Philippine areas.
• Sultan — Islamic title for a ruler, adopted in Muslim regions.
• Maginoo — the ruling class in pre-colonial Filipino society.
• Maharlika — the class of freemen.
• Alipin — the enslaved class.
• Laguna Copperplate Inscription — the earliest known written document from the Philippines.
• Maritime Jade Road — ancient trade network linking the Philippines to Southeast and East Asia.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Review key terms and their roles in pre-colonial Philippine society.
• Read about the Battle of Mactan and Magellan's expedition for deeper understanding.