Social Classes of Ancient Filipinos Flashcards

Importance of Social Classification

• Social classes structured roles and functions in ancient Filipino communities, ensuring order and organization.

Writing System: Baybayin

• A pre-colonial script developed before Spanish colonization.

Religious Beliefs: Animism

• The ancient Filipinos practiced animism, a belief system attributing spiritual essence to objects and nature.

Spread of Islam

• In 1280, Islam began to spread in the Sulu region.

Early Shelter: Caves

• Caves served as the initial shelters for ancient Filipinos, providing protection from wildlife and adverse weather conditions.

Agricultural Practices

• Farmers vacated unsuitable land to allow it to rejuvenate, returning later for cultivation.

Batalan

• A space connected to the kitchen for washing dishes and storing cooking utensils.

Social Classes in Luzon and Visayas

• Highest Class: Tagalog - Maginoo, Visayas - Datu
• Second Class: Tagalog - Maharlika, Visayans - Timawa
• Bottom Class: Alipin

Social Hierarchy Acknowledgment

• William Henry Scott noted a social hierarchy among Tagalogs and Visayans, organizing society into classes.

Leadership Qualifications

• Bravery and wealth were crucial qualifications for leaders among early Filipinos.

Measuring Bravery in Cagayan

• Bravery was gauged by the number of enemies one had defeated, specifically through beheading.

Trading and Bravery

• Participation in trade signified bravery, as it involved facing sea dangers, wild animals, and other ethnic groups, contributing to wealth and governance.

Role of Datu

• Datu acted as community leaders who resolved disputes, protected their people, and led during conflicts.

Wealth Measurement of Datu

• Wealth was assessed not just by the number of slaves but by the quality and quantity of gold owned.

Maginoo Class

• Represented the noble class in society.

Maharlika Class

• Comprised warriors who defended barangays and maintained peace, free from tribute obligations to the datu.

Honor for Heroes

• Celebrations were organized to honor military leaders, marked by crowning ceremonies with gold-covered carabao horns.

Warrior Identification

• Visayan warriors adorned with tattoos indicated their bravery; Tagalog warriors wore a red putong as a mark of distinction.

Timawa Class

• Free individuals paying tribute to the datu engaged in various economic activities such as farming and trading.

Duties of Timawa

• Assisted the datu with agricultural work, accompanied him in expeditions, and helped during festivities, while maintaining the right to choose their datu.

Alipin Class

• Represented the lowest societal tier, encompassing slaves.

Terminology for Slaves

• In Tagalog: Alipin; in Visayan: Oripun.

Types of Visayan Slaves

• Ayuey: Least privileged, summoned at any time by the datu.
• Tumarampuk: Worked for a single day, could substitute rice for service.
• Tumataban: Occasional slaves, minimal duties.

Tagalog Slave Categories

• Aliping Namamahay: Lived separately, provided tributes, and assisted the datu.
• Aliping Saguiguilid: Resided with the datu, provided perpetual service without salary.

Path to Slavery

• Factors leading to slavery include theft, inability to pay debts, and wartime capture.

Differences in Slavery

• Ancient Filipino slaves were often treated better compared to Western slaves, with rights to farm and acquire property.

Measurement of Gold

• Taels were the unit of measurement for gold.

Cost of Freedom for Slaves

• 18 taels of gold were required for a slave's freedom, equivalent to two slaves' worth.