First Voyage Around the World PDF

# First Voyage Around the World by Antonio Pigafetta ## Antonio Pigafetta - also known by the name of Antionio Lombardo or Francisco Antionio Pigafetta - Venetian scholar born around 1491 in Vicenza, Republic of Venice (Modern Italy) and died in 1531 in the aforementioned place. - belonged to a r...

# First Voyage Around the World by Antonio Pigafetta ## Antonio Pigafetta - also known by the name of Antionio Lombardo or Francisco Antionio Pigafetta - Venetian scholar born around 1491 in Vicenza, Republic of Venice (Modern Italy) and died in 1531 in the aforementioned place. - belonged to a rich family in his city of Vicenza in northeast Italy. - studied astronomy, geography and cartography - Italian explorer and scholar that became part of the expedition under the order of the prince of Spain, King Charles. - During the voyage, he served as Ferdinand Magellan's assistant. - He kept a journal accounting everything that seemed fascinating and foreign to him. - He was one of the 18 men who completed the trip, returning to Spain in 1522, under the command of Juan Sebastian Elcano. - Passed away around 1531. ## Is Antonio Pigafetta Credible? - He was the diarist of the expedition of the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan (who at that time served the Spanish Crown). - His work is important not only as a source of information about the voyage itself, but also includes an early Western description of the people and languages of the Philippines. - He was known to be a conscientious chronicler, supposedly taking notes daily. - Pigafetta remains the sole reliable source of that historic battle. ## First Voyage Around the World - This was written on board one of the five ships that was first to circumnavigate the world during an expedition led by Magellan and after his death during that voyage, by Juan Sebastian Elcano. - Pigafetta's journal written during their expedition in 1519-1522 became the basis for his 1525 travelogue entitled The First Voyage Around the World. - Officially published after Pigafetta returned to Italy. - Consists of 203 pages. - This document is about Magellan's travels. It is the trail of the so-called Magellan route heading to the Spice Islands, attempting to sail around the world and discovering various possible routes. ## It is an Accurate Ethnographic and Geographical Account of the First Circumnavigation of the Globe. - Here, Pigafetta describes the people, countries, goods, and even the languages that were spoken in the journey in the pre-colonial Philippines. - Upon arrival in Europe, he presented copies of his account to several high personages, including Pope Clement VII and Mother of King Francis I of France. - His original diary was lost, and it is not known in what language it was written. - However, an account of the voyage, written between 1522 and 1525, survives in four manuscript versions: one in Italian and three in French. - This is one of the most important primary sources. ## Five Ships - Santiago - Crew: 32 - Under the command of Juan Serrano. - Smallest of the five ships. - Called as a "caravel". - First ship that has been lost. - San Antonio - Crew: 60 - Under the command of Juan De Cartagena. - Soon led by Alvarado De Mesquita. - Largest in the Fleet. - Second ship that has been lost. - Concepcion - Crew: 43 - Under the command of Gaspar de Quesada. - Captain was executed because of mutiny. - Burned. - Third ship that has been lost. - Trinidad. - Crew: 55 - Under the command of Ferdinand Magellan. - The Flagship. - Was attacked by Portuguese ship. - Left shipwrecked. - Fourth ship that has been lost. - Victoria - Crew: 43 - Under the command of Luiz Mendoza; Soon led by Juan Sebastian Elcano. - Antonio Pigafetta on board. - First ship circumnavigate the world. - Only ship to complete the voyage. ## The Magellan Route - A map is included in the document of how the expedition took place. - The map shows the journey the ships took, including the Magellan Route and Elcano Route. ## Out of the Five Ships, Only Three Ships Reached in the Philippines. - After the Battle of Mactan, their men were enough to man two ships: Trinidad, and Victoria. - Until they returned to Spain, only one ship survived which is Victoria, one of the survivors was Antonio Pigafetta which kept the journal about their expedition. ## Why is this Document Written? - To discover, research, and achieve knowledge about nautical technology, cartography, and astronomy, as well as other fields related to the exploration about the world, Antonio Pigafetta came upon with this document. - He wanted to record details and information during the expedition which caused him to join the voyage and served as an assistant to Magellan. - Magellan desired to prove that the world was round and through his investigation, he proved it. He also wanted to find a western trade route to the Moluccas. ## Brief Summary - His account was a major referent to the events leading to Magellan's arrival in the Philippines: his encounter with local leaders, his death in the lands of Lapu-Lapu's forces in the Battle of Mactan, and the departure of what was left of Magellan's fleet from the islands. - Examining the document reveals several insights not just in the character of the Philippines during the pre-colonial period, but also on the fresh eyes of Europeans regarding a deeply unfamiliar terrain, environment, people, and culture. ### Ladrones Islands "Islands of the Thieves" (Presently the "Mariana Islands") - The place where he wrote his firsthand observations and general impressions in the Far East, including their experiences in Visayas. - These islands are located south-southeast of Japan, west-southwest of Hawaii, north of New Guinea, and east of Philippines. ## Since Magellan and His Crew Crossed the International Dateline, There is One Day Added to the Original Dates that Antonio Pigafetta Wrote in his Book. - There was a translator named Enrique throughout the expedition, from Malacca, and a slave of Ferdinand Magellan. ## March 16, 1521 - They arrived in Zamal (Samar). - The island was called Humunu (Homonhon). - Magellan and his men called it Aquada da li buoni Segnialli (The Watering-place of Good Signs). ## He Met Two Kings. The First King was Rajah Siagu and the Other King was Rajah Calambu, King of Zuluan and Calagan (Butuan and Caragua). ## March 18, 1521 - A boat with nine men approaches the ship. - Captain-General orders silence and control over movements. - Ship's chief approaches the Captain-General while others gather fishermen. - The Captain-General offers various items like food, red caps, mirrors, combs, bells, ivory, and bocasine to the visitors. - The visitors present fish, palm wine (uraca), figs, and coconuts, promising more food in four days. - They share names and details about their island, Zuluan. - The Captain-General showcases his merchandise, fires mortars, and scares the visitors, who promise to return with the mentioned articles. - They are in Humunu, later called "Acquada da li buomi segnialli", due to gold signs. Notable findings include white corals, unique fruits, and good palms. - They name the area "The Archipelago of Saint Lazaros" as they discovered it on the Sabbath of Saint Lazarus. ## March 22, 1521 - Visitors return with two boats carrying coconuts, oranges, palm wine, and a cock. - The visitors' leader is an old man with tattoos, gold earrings, gold armlets, and head kerchiefs. - They stay in Humunu for a week, and the Captain-General visits the sick daily. - They encounter both Heathen and clothed natives, with the chiefs wearing cotton cloth embroidered with silk. - The natives possess various items, including daggers, knives, spears, gold shields, fascines, javelins, and fishing nets. ## March 25, 1521 - On Holy Monday afternoon (March 25), Pigafetta was fishing near a storeroom. It began to rain, and he accidentally fell into the sea. Nobody noticed. Fortunately, his left hand clung to a hanging rope, and he called for help. He believed he was saved by the Virgin Mary's mercy. - On the same day, they continued west-southwest, passing small islands like cenalo, hiunanghan, Ibusson, and Abarien. ## March 28, 1521 - Visitors return with two boats carrying coconuts, oranges, palm wine, and a cock. - The visitors' leader is an old man with tattoos, gold earrings, gold armlets, and head kerchiefs. - They stay in Humunu for a week, and the Captain-General visits the sick daily. - They encounter both Heathen and clothed natives, with the chiefs wearing cotton cloth embroidered with silk. - The natives possess various items, including daggers, knives, spears, gold shields, fascines, javelins, and fishing nets. ## March 29, 1521 - On Holy Friday, the Captain-General sought food from the king, emphasizing friendship. - The king, with 6-8 men, provided three porcelain jars of rice and two large orade fish. - In return, the captain-general offered a Turkish-style garment, a fine red cap, knives, and mirrors. He also expressed a desire for a fraternal relationship, displayed merchandise, including cloth and coral, and demonstrated weapons while explaining the Strait of Magellans' discovery. ## March 31, 1521 - Magellan ordered the chaplain to presidea Mass by the shore of Mazaua (Limasawa) officiated by Father Pedro Valderrama. - Colambu and Siaiu were the first natives, among other native inhabitants of the archipelago to attend the mass. - After the Mass, the cross was brought with nails and crowns in place. Magellan ordered that. ## April 7, 1521 - Magellan and his men encountered some struggle when first entering the port of Zubu (Cebu). - Pigafetta described the inhabitants' houses that were made of logs. - Magellan, as a sign of friendship, made a blood compact with Rajah Humabon, the King of Cebu. - Tension between the king of Zubu and the voyagers and Magellan threatened them to rage war. ## April 14, 1521 - A mass was held with Rajah Humabon and his people attending the ceremony. 800 souls. - Pigafetta showed the wife of Humabon a very beautiful wooden Child Jesus that is known today as Santo Niño, which is celebrated every January in Cebu. ## April 26, 1521 - Datu Zula, chief of the island Matan (Mactan) welcomed them. But Cilapulapu, the other chief, refused to obey to the king of Spain. - Datu Zula requested the captain to defeat Cilapulapu, which started the battle. - Natives outsmarted them, used 'patibongs' to defeat them. The voyagers were losing in this battle. ## April 27, 1521 - Magellan's troops Vs Lapu-Lapu's troops. - Captain told them to give up this losing battle, but his men insist. - Magellan was shot in the leg with a poisoned arrow. - He died, their 'mirror', 'comfort', and 'true guide' as what Pigafetta described. - They retreated leaving their captain dead. ## When the Body of Magellan Was Recovered by the Warriors, Humabon Ordered Him to Return the Bodies of Magellan and Some of His Crew Who Were Killed, and They Would Be Given as Much Merchandise as They Wished. Lapu-Lapu Refused. - Magellan was succeeded by Juan Sebastian Elcano as commander of the expedition, who ordered the immediate departure after Humabon's betrayal. ## September 8, 1522 - Victoria, the only ship survived, finally arrived at Seville. Thus, ending the Magallanes-Elcano expedition. ## Conclusion Antonio Pigafetta, an Italian chronicler, accompanied Ferdinand Magellan on the historic first voyage around the world that began in 1519. His "Journal of Antonio Pigafetta" is a detailed and invaluable account of the expedition. Pigafetta's journal covers their departure from Spain, the Atlantic crossing, the discovery of South America, navigating through Magellan's namesake strait, and encounters with indigenous people, including Patagonians and Filipinos. Notably, the journal meticulously records geographical and ethnographic information and describes the expedition's challenges like storms, scurvy, and conflicts. Despite Magellan's death, the expedition achieved its goal of circumnavigating the globe. Pigafetta's journal is a significant historical document illuminating the early age of exploration and the expedition's hardships and wonders. ## Few of the Customs and Traditions Mentioned 1. **Socio-Cultural Significance** The culture of the Filipinos during that period is heavily mentioned. In the other islands, the locals treated them with food and shelter as an act of friendship. 2. **Political Significance** A lot of the political customs were about the kings of the islands. The kings were treated with loyalty and superiority by its people. 3. **Economic Significance** The men and women are both responsible for work either outside or inside. The Filipinos of that time also h ad lots of resources and also participated in trade with each other and even other countries before the Spaniards were already there. ## Additional Facts About the First Voyage Around the World - The chronicle of Pigafetta was one of the most cited documents by historians who wished to study the pre-colonial Philippines. - Being the earliest detailed documentation, it was believed that Pigafetta's writings accounted for the "purest" pre-colonial society. ## Is This Document Credible? - According to scholar Theodore Cachey Jr, the travelogue represented "the literary epitome of its genre" and achieved an international reputation. - Cachey points out that its intent is on marveling at what it encounters—and therein lies much of its appeal. It is a work that is intent on wonder. - One of Pigafetta's patrons, Francesco Chiericati, called the journal a divine thing, and Shakespeare himself seems to have been inspired by his work. - For us, "student-historians," the First Voyage Around the World is credible since this is what remains as the sole reliable source of the pre-colonial Philippines. - Nevertheless, there needs to have a more nuanced reading of the Source. - As students of history, we should recognize certain biases accompanying the author and his identity, loyalties, and the circumstances that he was in, and how it affected the text that he produced. ## Relevance of the Document. - This journal is used as a reference for many history-related works. - The book served as evidence that the world is round, and not flat. - Magellan discovered the Mar Pacifico "peaceful sea" (Pacific Ocean). - He proved that there was a way to the east by sailing west. - Opened many doors for Spain together with many other different Countries around the world due to different discoveries from this expedition. ## Contribution in Understanding the Philippines History - It paints a somewhat accurate picture of the native way of life prior to Spanish colonization. - It helps us understand how the Filipinos of the past lived. - It was a proof of the rich governance and independence in our country in the pre-colonial era. - We came to know who discovered the existence of the Philippines. - We also discovered what religion Filipinos used to have until they became Christians. - It showed how Filipinos coped when Magellan and his men came to the Philippines, and how they delayed Spanish occupation for years. - This journal is a vital piece, not only of the Philippine History, but also of the World History. - This book aids researchers and students of today in understanding the context and content of the Magellan expedition. - You can also find an excerpt from the First Voyage of Pigafetta's PDF file. ## "Sailing Into History, Magellan's Expedition Forged New Horizons."