Indigenous People History

Unit 1: Indigenous Peoples: Their History

• History is a field of study enabling individuals to understand the evolution of societies, cultures, and ideas.
• This unit introduces history, highlighting historical methodology and philosophy in analyzing narratives.
• Students will learn to evaluate sources critically, distinguish facts, and recognize history's role.
• The module encourages learners to use primary and secondary sources and apply research methodologies.
• Topics include scholarly views for a well-rounded academic foundation and appreciation for history.
• The chapter explores the history of the Philippines’ Indigenous Peoples, tracing key events and pivotal moments.
• It focuses on social, political, and cultural forces leading to the marginalization of IPs/ICCs.
• The chapter will explore traditional philosophies, lifestyles, how communities relate to nature, and sustain themselves.
• The narrative highlights "golden eras" of indigenous prosperity and examines "dark eras" marked by marginalization.
• The goal is to understand the dynamic evolution of indigenous societies across different regimes.

Think & Reflect, Pair & Share, Group Brainstorm, Debrief

• Instructions for the reader for this activity:
• Think & Reflect individually, and jot down your thoughts on the following prompts: What comes to mind when you hear "Indigenous Peoples?", can you name any indigenous communities or groups in the Philippines? and what historical events or influences do you think shaped their lives and cultures?
• Pair & Share with a classmate to discuss ideas, notes, unique insights, and additional thoughts, while considering the following guiding questions: How might historical events have led to the marginalization or isolation of these groups? and In what ways do you think indigenous philosophies and lifestyles have been influenced by their natural surroundings?
• Group Brainstorm as a whole class to create a mind map by collectively listing key events, cultural shifts, or external influences, and highlight themes such as resilience, cultural richness, and the impact of governmental changes.
• Debrief and reflect on the exercise as a class to discuss any common ideas that emerged and discuss how these initial thoughts set the stage for deepening the exploration of history regarding Indigenous People.

Indigenous Peoples Before Western Contact

• Before Western colonizers, the Philippines was occupied by diverse indigenous groups: Negritos, Indonesians, and Malays.
• These early settlers navigated in sturdy wooden boats and practiced nomadic lifestyles, hunting and gathering
• Cultural interactions fostered shared traditions, a common cultural foundation, and distinct ethnic identities.
• Trade networks developed, evidenced by Chinese exports, and Indian culture influenced religious beliefs and customs
• Austronesian migration research shows systematic dispersal and exchange of cultural ideas.
• The pre-Western era had vibrant nomadic cultures with trade networks and cultural exchanges
• These foundational experiences set the stage for ethnic identities that continue to influence the region

Ancient Filipinos

• The Negritos traveled across the archipelago before Ferdinand Magellan's arrival in 1521.
• They were among the first to inhabit the islands before European exploration.
• In the post-Negrito era, Austronesians became the dominant group, influencing Negritos' cultural identities.
• Austronesians gradually shaped the social landscape and introduced new ways of life.
• Society evolved from hunting and gathering to structured communities with cultural foundations.
• There was a rise in larger political structures and intricate systems that led to petty plutocracies.
• Early Filipinos adapted to their environment, mastering life in diverse natural settings.

Ancient Filipinos Knowledge and Natural Resources

• The natural bounty of rice paddies, forests, and coral reefs were utilized.
• Elders passed down wisdom and technologies related to fishing and hunting.
• Population growth and resource scarcity gradually replaced nomadic lifestyles and saw the rise of agriculture and horticulture.
• Agriculture created the need for more land and larger families and led to the human civilization seeing an agricultural revolution.
• Domestication of animals, including pigs and water buffalo, followed to enable better management of agricultural fields.
• Societies shifted from isolated families to producing surpluses for trade.
• Settlements became rooted in coastal regions, with economies tied to maritime transport and fishing.
• Reliance on nature led to interconnected cultural systems and a cultural understanding developed from environmental coexistence
• The population of the Philippines consisted of Negritos, Danian-Dayan Malayans, and Malayo-Polynesian groups.
• Hindu-influenced Malays from Java introduced governance and cultural systems
• Mohammedan seafarers added to the diversity of the native population.
• Long before Magellan's arrival in 1521, the Philippines was a thriving region with diverse communities.

Cultural Foundations

• Cultural imprints from Malays shaped the indigenous life with languages from Austronesian ancestors.
• Heritage preserved through literary works inscribed on stones, trees, and caves.
• Belief systems coalesced into organized religious practices with faith in the immortality of the soul.
• Early Filipinos revered natural elements and believed that forces of nature deserved utmost care.
• Leadership structures emerged with increased people to maintain peace and harmony and to form rudimentary systems of governance from this.
• There was social hierarchy of kingdoms, sultanates, and rajahnates.
• The smallest administrative unit was the "barangay" which meant sailboat from the Malayan word "balangay".
• A barangay comprised around 100 families, led by a "datu" and larger political formations had a "raja."
• The datu ruled by birthright and held executive, legislative, judicial, and military responsibilities.
• A Council of Elders reinforced the datu's authority and helped to preserve customs.
• Political organization was influenced by maritime orientation, trade, and cultural exchanges.
• There was a vibrant cultural and political legacy intertwined with the natural environment as the foundation for society.

Absence of Private Ownership

• Land was not considered private property in pre-colonial Philippine society based on Roman law.
• The legal concepts of res nullius (nobody's thing) and res communis (common property) governed property rights.
• Land was considered a resource for general use and communal benefit to work to maintain resources for future generations.
• Private possession was allowed but with significant limitations and was not permanent.
• Chieftains had the authority to manage land on behalf of the barangay and were stewards, with every member participating.
• Res communis meant that certain resources, like fisheries, were shared by all community members.
• Coastal communities relied on this system to support their economic activities.
• Leaders enjoyed privileges due to roles, entrusted to manage resources.
• Community lands were governed by customary laws, managed according to community-derived norms, and held as common property
• Emphasis on the collective ownership/preservation of traditional lands.
• Land/resources were available for use by many, there was usage granted, and a duty to responsibly manage resources
• Res nullius and res communis shaped the way early Filipinos interacted with their environment, shared resources, and governed themselves.
• Ancient concepts have endure today and allow more reflection on property and governance practices.
• Pre-colonial society had collectively managed land for the benefit of the community, as a communal resource in a different legal and societal case compared to today.
• Spanish rule changed this, now private land is influenced from certain beliefs.
• Communal access and collective land ownership not only shaped economics in Filipino communities, but influences modern conversations of environment as well.

Introduction of Islam to Mindanao

• During the 13th century, Islam formed a firm presence in the southern Philippines with the formation of the Sultanate of Sulu.
• This state had authority in Sulu, Palawan, Basilan, and Zamboanga, encompassing various ethnic groups.
• The Sultanate of Maguindanao emerged from the Cotabato and extended its influence over Lanao del Norte and del Sur.
• In Muslim societies, Asiatic feudalism evolved in which land was held collectively but used privately.
• Local production was primarily for subsistence and kinship obligations instead of commercial exchange/profit.
• Islamic influences from Borneo and Sulu made an impact on Luzon by the 16th century.
• Influences were further consolidated in Mindanao, laying cultural and political foundations.

Arrival and Occupation of Land by Spain

• The expansion of the Spanish Empire into the East Indies became a goal in the 15th century.
• Ferdinand Magellan's voyage led to the encounter of the Phillippine islands
• Initial resistance came from Lapu-Lapu at the Battle of Mactan, but the Spanish annexed the islands, naming them the King of Spain islands
• Miguel Lopez de Legazpi began to transform society by settling down in new areas
• A colonial strategy involved assimilating locals into the administration, with towns and trade routes developing.
• Spaniards consolidated political units under a central colonial and political authority to introduce a unified system of new rules.
• Local leaders were reorganized into hierarchical structures, with the barangay headed by the cabeza.
• There was an establishment of Suffragan Diocese led by bishops to enforce objective of religious conversion.
• Reduced local religious practices and relocated newly converted Christians as tactics to centralize the indigenous population.
• Colonization campaign also aimed at transforming the indigenous way of life through adopting Hispanic practices.
• Military force like advanced artillery had the Spanish subdued organized indigenous opposition despite instances of resistance.
• There was an introduction of Islam, then the Spanish who started to establish deep cultural and political ties by intertwining indigenous culture with traditions.
• Spanish colonization lead to disorganization in many Filipino local areas and governance for indigenous people.

Spanish Rules

• Manila became the main center of the Philippines under Spanish rule
• The Governor General acted as governor, president, captain, and vice patron that led the area.
• The Archbishop of Manilla would take over government, military and religious duties simultaneously
• Local areas were run and managed by rules of the Spanish for their own benefit

Transformation to Traditional Laws

• Filipino communities managed their lands collectively before the Spanish arrived, practicing rules influenced by Roman law.
• Traditional laws like that shared land can be in use by a lot of people was taken away by the King for his own benefit by decree.
• Spain made land and resource policies and rules to give land to other people they favored so they could take tribute or forced people to convert to their ways.
• Natives were made out to be slaves compared to those in power.
• Priests would take money from locals which started the practice of feudalism as seen in Europe at the time
• Land grants were given to settlers further reducing the land that was available at the time to those indigenous people

Influence from Rulers

• Indigenous Filipino communities practiced communal ownership of land and enjoyed usufruct rights, with families working in return for tending leaders.
• Lands were divided and granted to Spanish settlers, with the encomienda system allowing settlers to collect tribute.
• Over time, tributes turned into land rents, creating a new class of landowners known as hacienderos.
• Spanish rule introduced private property rights that replaced the old system.
• This change lead to shifts in social and economic structures where Filipinos used to shared lands, but where reduced as tenants.

New Class Stratification

• A new system of social stratification with a social disparity from the colonial rulers and people placed in the lower social classes.
• Social hierarchy consisted of the Spanish authorities, the "Civil officials, The "Indios" or Christianized filipinos, The "Moros" or the Muslim filipinos, and The "infieles" or filipinos that did not convert to the religious beliefs of Spain.
• To avoid subjugation, many of the Moros would flee to the rugged interior of Mindanao, or Infieles fleeing to the Hinterlands
• Despite isolation, some communities kept traditions/ways of life
• Lower classes aimed for social improvement, but society was rigid

The Spanish-American War

• The U.S.S. Maine explosion in Havana Harbor triggered the Spanish-American War.
• The United States declared war on Spain on April 21, 1898, and Spain was defeated, according to treaty of Paris.
• Colonial system changed and was shaped by religion and culture, though economic/political controls disrupted tradition.
• Introduction of war influenced Philippines history

American Occupation

• The Philippines was under colonial rule by Americans, after the the treaty that was signed to follow and assimilate Filipinos into new lifestyles inspired by the Native Americans of the United States
• Establishment of the Bureau of Non-Christian Tribes ("BNCT") would look at culture more thoroughly and create methods for advancing lifestyles and civilizing their society
• The "BNCT" would oversee the citizens that would get placed into society more broadly, as used under the "American Government Initiatives"

Changes to society after new colonial leaders

• American citizens were give authority to claim and own land in the Phillipines, causing worry towards the conservation of national land, as well as many indigenous people in their homelands.
• In response The Philippine Congress would allow act act 1888, in 1957 that accelerated the advancement of non-christian Filipinos and cultural minorities
• "Republic act 1888" under the Philippine Congress would give the "CNI" tasks for integration and act as a guardian for the natives
• Integration would go against the native people and their traditions, sparking opposition and a divide one-size-fits-all approach for cultural integration.
• Policy also led to "contentious debates over land ownership" and values native communities were not willing the give way.
• Spanish and US created an agenda to implement power over indigenous by disassembling their norms/creating a new state.

Public Land Act & the Torrens System

• It is a key legal reform to shape ownership, clarify land titles and secure them.
• To legally track land ownership ,incontestability introduced, which helped protect holdlings and property.
• Ownership by Christian settlers from lowlands and hinterlands lead to ancestors lands in their names

Resulting laws (Friar Lands, State OwnerShip, & Public Land act)

• "Friar Lands" made managed area exclusive - "State Owernership" made declarations of original lands not accessible
• Created to oversee the dispotion of public lands to set rules for sale/leasing
• Commonwealth Act. 141 could correct disruptions with this plan was supposed to be for issuing patents to owners within areas - Allowed areas that were taken over by settlers to still be owners for generations
• State will provide an equal system for registratation and transfer in court to ensure indefeasibility for the owners
• "Indigenous Land" had the torrens system and public acts could not secure indigenous as well

Current Difficulties for Indigenous People

• Public lands mean it had to be a state as well ,so the vulnerable can claim
• A need for dev. projects has increased occupied lands as development/essential
• The rule and land during state power continue to complicate laws.
• With previous situations of difficulty, gov put the Program to fair areas to increase lands.

1973 Constitutions

• The new set of legal rights , the tribes for the constitution recognized more, the right beliefs set to new set of laws.
• In constitution and the most provisions is the tribes to become an act of the states to consider customs/traditions. by following the traditions to preserve their right of life. President Marcos and set the new group of integration with the key roles to assist people wish to change and get in practice again
• " President Decree 410" Known as the ancestral, land can to file with member to land to issued for.
• Ensuring indigenous to claim land that will be able for recognized settlement.

Difficulties for groups during times

• Indigenous difficulties still happen, national development would often times threaten social state
• There are frequent conflicts between all that land, land reform and cultural preservation would occur