Readings in PH History Module 3

Historical Context

• Spain and Portugal competed for dominance in the New World, necessitating papal intervention for division.
• Economic conditions were influenced by mercantilism, valuing wealth based on bullion accumulation.

Antonio Pigafetta

• Venetian scholar and explorer who accompanied Ferdinand Magellan.
• Authored a detailed journal chronicling the first voyage around the world.
• Of the roughly 240 crew members, only 18, including Pigafetta, returned to Spain in 1522.

Description of Early Ancestors

• The leadership figure among early ancestors was referred to as "Seignior," resembling a king or chief.
• Leaders were often larger in stature, some featured tattoos and adorned with gold jewelry.
• Traditional clothing included embroidered cotton cloth, while some wore armlets and ankle rings.

Lifestyle and Customs

• Ancestors were typically dark-skinned, tattooed, and adorned in coconut oil for sun protection.
• Men sometimes wore minimal clothing, using tree bark weaved cloth for modesty.
• Meals could last up to six hours, reflective of social customs around dining.

Food and Agriculture

• Key dietary staples included umay (rice), coconut, and fish, alongside alcoholic beverages like uraca (a palm wine).
• Livestock included dogs, cats, swine, and fowls, with agricultural products such as rice, ginger, and various fruits.

Dwellings

• Ancestors lived in elevated structures made from wood, thatched with palm and fig leaves, indicating adaptation to the environment.

Gender Roles

• Women wore tree cloth skirts and consistently chewed areca fruit wrapped in betel leaves.
• Jewelry and body modifications included gold earrings and gradually opened vaginas from a young age.

Historical Relevance

• Pigafetta's accounts provide a vital source for understanding early encounters between Europeans and indigenous peoples, illustrating social and cultural dynamics of the period.