Magellan's Expedition Overview

Magellan's Expedition

• Magellan's expedition set out to find a westward sea route to the Spice Islands (Maluku) in 1519
• The expedition consisted of five ships: Trinidad (flagship), San Antonio, Concepción, Santiago, and Victoria, with about 270 men aboard.
• The expedition departed from Seville, Spain, on September 20, 1519.
• The expedition sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to South America, making stops in Brazil and exploring the coastline in search of a passage to the Pacific Ocean.
• Magellan and his team discovered a narrow passage in southern South America called the Strait of Magellan, which took over a month to navigate.
• They became the first Europeans to enter the Pacific Ocean after exiting the strait.
• The expedition reached the island of Guam on March 6, 1521, to replenish supplies.
• On March 16, 1521, they arrived in the Philippines on the island of Homonhon, marking the first European contact with the country.
• Magellan formed alliances with local rulers, most notably Rajah Humabon of Cebu.
• Many locals, including Humabon and his wife, were baptized as Christians, which Magellan viewed as a significant achievement.
• Magellan attempted to assert Spanish authority over Lapu-Lapu, a local chief on the island of Mactan, on April 27, 1521, but was killed in the Battle of Mactan.
• After Magellan's death, only three ships remained from the original five: the Victoria, Trinidad, and Concepción.
• The Concepción was burned due to being unfit for sailing.
• The Trinidad was damaged and left behind for repairs, but it was later captured by the Portuguese.
• The Victoria was the only seaworthy vessel to make the journey back to Spain.
• In 1522, the Victoria, under the command of Juan Sebastián Elcano, completed the first circumnavigation of the world, returning to Spain with a crew of 18 survivors out of the original 270.

Pigafetta's Account

• Antonio Pigafetta was an Italian scholar and explorer who was one of the few survivors of Ferdinand Magellan's expedition.
• He provided a detailed first-hand account of the voyage, serving as a primary source for understanding European encounters with the Philippines.
• The account provides detailed descriptions of the indigenous Filipinos, their culture, customs, and way of life.
• The insights offer valuable information about pre-colonial Filipino culture, including their systems of governance, religion, social hierarchy, and trade.

Customs of the Tagalog

• Juan de Plasencia was a Spanish Franciscan friar who arrived in the Philippines in 1578 as part of the early missionary efforts.
• He authored "Customs of the Tagalog" in 1589, a detailed ethnographic account of the local Tagalog culture.
• His work is one of the earliest written documents about pre-colonial Filipino society.
• "Customs of the Tagalog" documented local customs for colonial administration and religious conversion.
• It served as a guide for Spanish officials in understanding Tagalog governance, justice, and societal structures.
• It reflects the Spanish need to control and convert the local population to Christianity.

Barangay System and Social Structure

• The barangay was the basic unit of governance in pre-colonial Tagalog society, led by the datu.
• The datu played a central role in governance, justice, and maintaining the social and economic order within the community.
• The position of datu was often passed down to the eldest son or another close male relative.
• The successor was expected to have certain leadership qualities, such as strength, wisdom, and the ability to protect and govern the community.
• The three classes in Tagalog society were:
  • maharlika (nobles)
  • timawa (freemen)
  • alipin (slaves)

Tagalog Religion

• The Tagalog people worshipped nature spirits called anitos.
• Priestesses called babaylans played important roles in their religious practices.

Tagalog Justice System

• Local laws, punishments, and conflict resolution methods included fines and trials by ordeal.