Readings in Philippine History PDF

Readings in Philippine History these kinds of sources that professional historians once treated as the purest, the...

Readings in Philippine History these kinds of sources that professional historians once treated as the purest, the “best” source. Chapter 1: The Meaning of History, Sources of 3. Social documents are information pertaining Historical Data & Historical Criticisms to economic, social, political, or judicial significance. History is derived from the Greek word historia which means learning by inquiry. The Greek Non-written Sources of History philosopher, Aristotle, looked upon history as the Unwritten sources are as essential as written systematic accounting of a set natural phenomena. sources. They are two types: the material evidence and oral evidence. There are theories constructed by historians in 1. Material evidence, also known as investigating history: the factual history and the archaeological evidence is one of the most speculative history. important unwritten evidences. This includes artistic creations such as pottery, jewelry, 1. Factual history presents readers the plain and dwellings, graves, churches, roads, and basic information vis-à-vis the events that took others that tell a story about the past. place (what), the time and date with which the 2. Oral evidence is also an important source of events happened (when), the place with which information for historians. Much are told by the events took place, and the people that were the tales or sagas of ancient peoples and the involved (who). folk songs or popular rituals from the 2. Speculative history, on the other hand, goes premodern period of Philippine history. beyond facts because it is concerned about the During the present age, interviews is another reasons for which events happened (why), and major form of oral evidence. the way they happened (how). “It tries to speculate on the cause and effect of an event” Primary Versus Secondary Sources History deals with the study of past events. Individuals There are two general kinds of historical who write about history are called historians. sources: direct or primary and indirect or secondary. 1. Primary sources are original, first-hand account of an event or period that are The Limitation of Historical Knowledge usually written or made during or close to The incompleteness of records has limited man’s the event or period. These sources are knowledge. original and factual, not interpretive. Their key function is to provide facts. Examples: Written Sources of History - Diaries Written sources are usually categorized in three - Journals ways: (1) narrative or literary, (2) diplomatic or juridical, - Letters and (3) social documents. - News paper - Photographs 1. Narrative or literature are chronicles or - Maps tracts presented in narrative form, written to - Posters impart a message whose motives for their 2. Secondary sources, on the other hand, are composition vary widely. materials made by people long after the 2. Diplomatic sources are understood to be events being described had taken place to those which document/record an existing provide valuable interpretations of historical legal situation or create a new one, and it is  events. A secondary source analyzes and sources, the knowledge of the author, and the interprets primary sources. It is an influences prevalent at the time of writing must interpretation of second-hand account of a be carefully investigated. It must be ascertained historical event. first that the critic knows exactly what the author said and that he/she understands the document Examples: from the standpoint of the author. Moreover, the - Biographies facts given by the author or writer must be - Histories firmly established as having taken place exactly - Literary Criticism as reported. - Theater reviews First Voyage Around the World Historical Criticism examines the origins of earliest text to appreciate the underlying circumstances upon which the text came to be. Motivation for the Voyage: There are two parts to a historical criticism. The first part is to determine the authenticity of the material, also called provenance of a source. The critic should Portugal’s maritime empire, European attraction determine the origin of the material, its author, and the to Asia’s wealth, and spices influenced Spain to sources of information used. External criticism is used in finance the expedition. determining these facts. The second part is to weigh the Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese navigator, testimony to the truth. The critic must examine the gained the support of Spain to lead the trustworthiness of the testimonies as well as determine expedition. the probability of the statements to be true. This process is called internal criticism or higher criticism since it deals with more important matters than the external Antonio Pigafetta: form. An Italian chronicler who documented the first circumnavigation of the world. His journal is the primary source of detailed 1. External criticism determines the information about the expedition, including the authenticity of the source. The authenticity of encounters with indigenous peoples and the the material may be tested in two ways, by discovery of the Philippines. palaeographical (the deciphering and dating of historical manuscripts) and diplomatic criticism (critical analysis of historical document to Departure and Route: understand how the document came to be, the information transmitted, and the relationships The expedition set sail from Spain on September between the facts purported in the document and 20, 1519, crossing the Atlantic, Pacific, and the reality). The material must be investigated Indian Oceans. based on the time and place it is written. The Stops were made at various locations for critic must determine whether the material under provisions, including the Canary Islands and investigation is raw, meaning unaltered, and it Monterose. exists exactly as the author left it. After months of navigating, the fleet reached 2. Internal criticism determines the Zamal (Samar, Philippines) on March 16, 1521. historicity of the facts contained in the document. It is not necessary to prove the authenticity of the material or document. Encounter with Natives in the Philippines: However, the facts contained in the document must first be tested before any conclusion Magellan’s crew made contact with the local pertaining to it can be admitted. In determining population on March 18, 1521. The natives were the value of the facts, the character of the  peaceful, offered food and palm wine, and He wrote Doctorina Christiana, a first book exchanged gifts. about Cathechism – first book ever printed in The crew was introduced to the coconut (cochi) the Philippines. fruit and the process of obtaining palm wine. - To whom the document was written? For the Cultural Exchanges: King of Spain. - When and where the document was written? It Pigafetta noted details of native life, such as was written in the Philippines on 1589, during agriculture, gold ornaments, and unique customs the Spanish Colonial Period. (e.g., large earrings). The natives were described as friendly, reasonable, and familiar, allowing for further Leadership and Governance: exchanges between them and Magellan’s crew. Chiefs, called datus, governed the Tagalogs and The Island of Mazaua (Mazzava): led them in wars. Magellan and his crew stayed for eight days in A tribal unit was called a barangay, consisting Mazaua, where they encountered people who of 30 to 100 houses, often formed from family wore gold jewelry, chewed areca nuts, and were ties. great drinkers. Barangays were independent, though allied The crew also discovered gold mines on the through kinship and friendship. island and abundant resources such as rice, pigs, and goats. Social Classes: Circumnavigation Achieved: Three main classes existed: maharlica (free The historic voyage, which lasted from 1519 to people), aliping namamahay (household servants 1522, was the first successful circumnavigation who couldn’t be sold), and aliping sa guiguilir of the Earth. (slaves who could be sold) Pigafetta’s accounts provided detailed Social status could change due to marriage or geographical and cultural descriptions of various inheritance. places, especially the Philippines. Children of mixed-status marriages were divided These points highlight the most significant between the status of the parents. aspects of the voyage, from its motivations and planning to the encounters and observations made by the crew during their historic journey. Slavery and Punishment: Slavery could result from debts, punishments, or Customs of the Tagalog marriage. Offenders were fined in gold or forced into servitude until debts were paid off. Juan de Plasencia Witches and accomplices were enslaved or killed. Real name: Joan de Portocarrero – was one of the seven children of Pedro Portocarrero. He was born and raised in Spain in the 16 th Dowries and Marriage: century during Golden Age. A friar of Franciscan order, he performed missionary duties in numerous town in Luzon.  Dowries were paid by men to the family of the woman. Inheritance of property and dowries was divided among children. If a woman had an illegitimate child with an adulterer, the child could inherit if the father was punished. Worship and Religion: Temporary temples, called simbahan, were erected for festivals known as pandot. The primary deity was Bathala, meaning "all- powerful" or "creator." They also worshiped the sun, moon, and nature, and practiced idol worship. Priests, known as catolonan, officiated religious ceremonies, including sacrifices of animals. Superstitions and Spirits: The Tagalogs believed in life after death: maca (a place of rest) for the righteous and casanaan (hell) for the wicked. They believed in spirits like vibit (ghosts), Tigbalaang (phantoms), and the patianac (spirits of women who died in childbirth). Burial Customs: Chiefs were buried under special structures beside their houses. Mourning lasted four days before the burial.