History of Philippine Art PDF

History of philippine art LESSON 2  Pre - conquest  "Pre-conquest" art means the art made before colonizers arrived. It is also called "indigenous" to show that our ancestors made art long before colonization. Another term is "pre-colonial," which describes life before colonization. These word...

History of philippine art LESSON 2  Pre - conquest  "Pre-conquest" art means the art made before colonizers arrived. It is also called "indigenous" to show that our ancestors made art long before colonization. Another term is "pre-colonial," which describes life before colonization. These words can mean the same thing, but it's good to know the differences when learning about art from the past. Faq Before colonization, ancient Filipinos saw art as part of everyday life, not as separate categories like music or painting. Art was woven into important community rituals, such as planting, harvesting, weddings, and funerals. It also included pottery, weaving, carving, metalwork, and jewelry, which combined beauty, skill, and spiritual meaning—many of which still influence present-day practices.  Our ancestors, like others around the world, were hunter-gatherers. Before cities existed, pre-colonial Filipinos hunted food to share with their community. During gatherings, they told stories about the hunt, imitated animal movements, and copied their sounds. These simple activities led to the beginnings of rituals, music, dance, theater, and literature..  Prayers before hunting were rituals, sharing food became a tradition, and storytelling marked the start of literature. Over time, they created an alphabet to write these stories. Imitating animals developed into early theater, and adding drums and rhythm gave rise to music and dance.  Many early rituals, which can be seen History of as the first forms of theater, are still practiced in different regions today. Philippine art For example, the mayvanuvanua in Batanes and the cañao (or kanyaw) in the Cordillera region. The cañao is led by a shaman, or mumbaki, and includes animal sacrifice. The animal’s entrails are read to predict outcomes, often for healing, celebrating a birth, or marking important events.  The Maranao of Lanao del Sur create History of langkit, a type of woven textile. In Tawi-Tawi, the Sama people make Philippine art colorful tepo mats from pandan leaves, turning everyday objects into works of art. In Itbayat, Batanes, oval-shaped baskets made from nito and bamboo are used as head slings to carry crops. Weaving is also used to make tools, such as sturdy bamboo fish traps called bubo in the Ilocos region.  History of Early Filipinos liked to decorate Philippine art their bodies in different ways. The 16th-century Boxer Codex showed that upper-class Tagalogs wore gold jewelry, while Visayans were covered in tattoos, earning the Visayas the name "Islas de los Pintados" (Islands of the Painted Ones).  Tattoos were not just for decoration; they were believed to History of protect people from evil spirits and Philippine art showed bravery or maturity. Many groups, like the Kalinga, Kankanay, Ibaloy, and Ifugao, also practiced tattooing. Jewelry, on the other hand, was thought to make people more attractive and please the gods. The T'boli people are known for wearing brass chains, bells, and colorful beads as part of their detailed outfits.  Just like with jewelry, early Filipinos paid History of careful attention to detail in metalwork. For example, the Maranao people of Philippine art Lanao del Sur made lotoans, or betel nut boxes, from brass or bronze. These boxes were decorated with designs like rhombuses, spirals, circles, and tendrils. The designs were created using a special metal casting technique called the lost wax process, where molds filled with melted metal are used. Once the metal hardens and the mold is removed, the design appears.  Other items made with the same History of metalworking techniques are the Philippine art brass kendi and gadur. These vessels are used in ceremonies and are considered important status symbols or family heirlooms. The kendi is a round container used for pouring liquids and has no handle. The gadur is a container with a narrow top, a round body, and a flared base.  II. Islamic Colonial (13th century to the Present) Before the Spanish arrived, Islam was already strong in the Southern Philippines, especially in Sulu. Islam began to grow there in the 13th century, but it was in the 15th century when Sayyid Abbubakar from Arabia arrived that things changed. He married Princess Piramisuli, and after her father, Rajah Baguinda, passed away, Abbubakar became the ruler and started the Sultanate of Sulu. He brought the Quran, built a mosque, and established a madrasa (religious school) to teach Arabic writing in the 16th century.  II. Islamic Colonial (13th century to the Present) People from Zamboanga and the Yakans of Basilan were converted to Islam, with teachers coming from Jolo, Sulu, and nearby regions like Brunei. As more people in Mindanao became Muslim, Islam helped them resist Spanish rule for many years. The people of Mindanao, such as the Tausug, Maranao, Maguindanao, Yakan, Samal, Badjao, and some areas in Palawan, accepted Islam as both a religion and a way of life.  What are the main beliefs of Islam that influence the ways art is made and interpreted? Filipino Muslims believe they are part of an "ummah", a community of believers, and follow the idea of Tawhid, which means the unity of God. This belief teaches that nature is temporary, and God's greatness is beyond human understanding. According to Professor Abraham Sakili, this belief can be seen in two ways: the world we see and a sense of emptiness that shows God is beyond all things. In Islamic art, this idea influences artists, who use abstract patterns in mosques to shift focus away from material objects or human forms and towards God. Unlike other religions that use images, Islam uses patterns to help believers focus on God through mental concentration.  What are the main beliefs of Islam that influence the ways art is made and interpreted? Philippine Muslims design spaces in their buildings, especially mosques, to reflect their belief in Tawhid and other Islamic teachings. For example, the mihrab (prayer niche) and Qibla wall in mosques are always pointed toward the west, whether in Sultan Kudarat or Quiapo, Manila, to face Mecca. This shows their connection with the global Muslim community. Mecca is home to the Great Mosque, which has a famous dome, a key feature of Islamic architecture.  What are the main beliefs of Islam that influence the ways art is made and interpreted? Islam still affects the art of Philippine Muslims, but local traditions also influence it. Even though Islam doesn’t allow copying nature directly, artists are inspired by it. For example, the luhul (canopy) may have designs from the Tree of Life. However, the patterns are so detailed and repeated that they no longer look like the natural things they came from.  What are the main beliefs of Islam that influence the ways art is made and interpreted? The ukkil/okir designs are found in various items like houses, boats, weapons, gravemarkers, musical instruments, and textiles among the Tausug and Sama people. These designs often have an upward direction, reflecting the belief in heaven and a separation from the material world. An example of this is the panolong, a carved protrusion on the royal house of the Maranao. The sarimanok, a mythical bird, and the burraq, a horse with a woman’s head, are also important symbols, with the burraq believed to carry the Prophet to heaven. Thank You!  Trisha Yushie Phoebe Xeighyn Members Tonie Andrine Kisha Nicole Margie Via