Pre-Colonial Filipino Traditions PDF

I. Document Overview Authorship and Publication: Written in 1589 by Fray. Juan de Plasencia, a Franciscan missionary, this document was later included in The Philippine Islands (1903) and the Philippine Journal of Sciences (1958). Its significance lies in its preservation of pre-colonial Filipino...

I. Document Overview Authorship and Publication: Written in 1589 by Fray. Juan de Plasencia, a Franciscan missionary, this document was later included in The Philippine Islands (1903) and the Philippine Journal of Sciences (1958). Its significance lies in its preservation of pre-colonial Filipino traditions and its early role as a form of civil code. II. Author Background Fr. Juan de Plasencia (Juan Portocarrero): A 16th-century Franciscan missionary who arrived in the Philippines in 1578. He played a significant role in the early evangelization efforts, founding towns and authoring religious and linguistic works, including the first book printed in the Philippines, Doctrina Cristiana. The provided text highlights his dedication and, surprisingly, his advocacy for the native population, contrasting with the often-negative portrayal of Spanish colonizers. III. Historical Relevance The "Customs of the Tagalogs" offers invaluable insight into pre-colonial Philippine society. It demonstrates a level of societal organization and complexity that counters narratives of a primitive, uncivilized population before Spanish colonization. The document's value lies in: -​ represent ng civil code ng pilipinas -​ form ng civil code noon -​ Evidence of Pre-Colonial Civilization: It refutes the notion that Filipinos were uncivilized before colonization. Preservation of Traditions: It safeguards knowledge of pre-colonial customs, beliefs, and social structures. Understanding of Barangay System: It provides details about the barangay, the basic unit of social and political organization. IV. Content Analysis: A Structured Approach A. Government and Social Structure Dato: The village chief, described as needing reform by Fr. Plasencia. His authority, limitations, and judicial role are detailed. Maharlicas: The free class, with specific rules regarding inter-village movement and marriage. Their social mobility and inheritance laws are clearly outlined. Slaves (Alipin): Divided into alipin namamahay (relatively free) and alipin saguiguilir (servants). The text explains the acquisition and renunciation of slave status, highlighting the various pathways to and from servitude (inheritance, debt, war, crime). The system is presented not merely as labor exploitation but also as a system of punishment and debt repayment. Acquisition of slave status: -​ Inheritance from a preexisting slave status. eg. Passed down from a slave parent to a child. -​ Prisoners of war, may be acquired from opposing barangay. -​ Buying of slaves -​ Committing of crime: Crimes, unless warranted by death penalty, were punished by fines. Slavery happens in case of payment failure. -​ Debt: Back in the day exists of usury, if the debtor is unable to pay the creditor, the debtor must give half of his lands and profit until it's paid. It is inheritable, and may be doubled in failure of payment.  -​ usury ( di nababayaran ang utang, ang inutangan dapat makakatanggap ng half na pagmamay-ari niya) Renouncing of slave status ( pagkawala ng slave status ) -​ Paid the debt -​ Marriage or pregnancy (the slave woman will become free) -​ Forgiveness Committing of crime -​ Crimes, unless warranted by death penalty, were punished by fines. Slavery happens in case of payment failure. Debt -​ Back in the day exists of usury, if the debtor is unable to pay the creditor, the debtor must give half of his lands and profit until it's paid. It is inheritable, and may be doubled in failure of payment. B. Marriage and Inheritance Dowries (Bigay-kaya): The complex system of dowries is explained, including the various gifts exchanged between families (himaraw, panghihimuyat, bigay suso). The text emphasizes the economic and social significance of these transactions. Dowry is a property or money be it gold, jewel or land in the family of the wife or the wife; dowry is also known as bigay-kaya; if a son will marry a chief's daughter, he should give more than the other sons offer; the husband's family should give also give a dowry to the parents of the wife for the sleepless nights she spent during infancy, and it is also known as himaraw; the parents of the husband should also give a gift the the parents of the wife called panghihimuyat for all the rearing the wife into a woman; The husband's parents also give a share of dowry to the wet nurse for taking care the wife when she was a baby and its called bigay suso. himaraw - dapat yung buong pamilya ng lalaki ay nagbibigay ng dowry sa magulang ng asawa niya ( husbands family ) panghihimuyat - parents ng lalaki at ang ibibigay ay gift don sa parents ng babae bigay suso - ang nagpaanak or nurse ay ibigyan ng dowry Inheritance Laws: The rules of inheritance are presented through case studies, illustrating how legitimacy, social class, and parental status affected the distribution of property. The emphasis on social class in determining inheritance rights is a key takeaway. C. Administration of Justice Dispute Resolution: The processes for resolving disputes between individuals and barangays are clearly described, emphasizing the role of impartial arbiters from other villages. -​ ang biktima ay magkakaroon ng arbiter or abogado mula sa ibang villages para i-lead or iassist sa mga nag-aawa -​ pagka dalawang chief ang nag-aaway at ayaw sa gera dapat judge ang mag sesettle at iinom sila ng alak Penalties: The range of penalties, including death, fines, and slavery, is detailed. The connection between unpaid fines and enslavement is explicitly stated. The severity of penalties for insulting the dato's family highlights the importance of respect within the social hierarchy. -​ Death sentence given to those who insulted the wife or children of datu and witches. This could be merited by slavery except by witches who were killed, with the spoils being slaves -​ Fines of Gold, Lands and Products Others pay for penalties. If not done regularly, they become slaves until payment is full. Namamahay or Saguigilid Culprit becomes saguigilid, if he serves his master to whom judgemnet is applied; becomes the former, serving the one who paid the aggrieved. Loans The debtor is subject to a life of toil, gives half of lands and profit. His debt can be inherited by children D. Religious Beliefs and Practices Worship: The text describes the religious practices of the Tagalogs, including their temples (simbahan), rituals, and the importance of various deities (Bathala, Dian Masalanta, Lacapati). Idols and Deities: Key deities and their roles are identified, providing insight into the ancient Tagalog pantheon. Spiritual Figures: Various spiritual figures are identified, including healers (Hocloban), sorcerers (Osuang, Mangagayoma), and those who could inflict illness (Mangangauay, Manyisalat, Mancocolam). The text also mentions the Catolonan as the most powerful spiritual figure. The inclusion of the Tigmamanukan (a bird with symbolic significance) is also noted. WORSHIPS OF THE TAGALOGS ​ Simbahan - temple or place of adoration ​ Sibi - temporary shed on each side of the house with a roof ​ Sorihile - small lamps on the posts of the house, large lamp with leaves of the white palm ​ Small & Large Drums - they beat it successively while the feast lasted, which usually lasted for 4 days. ​ Bathala - pinaka sinasamba ​ Licha - iba pang mga — ​ Tala - bituwin sa umaga (sinasamba na parang anito) ​ Buaya - buwaya ​ Ibon - nagbabadya ng mangyayari (tigmamanuguin) ​ Pari - catolonan IDOLS ​ Bathala - was described as “may kapal” sa lahat (maker of everything) ​ Sun, Moon, Stars ​ Dian Masalanta - goddess of love, childbirth, peace, and the protector of lovers among the ancient Tagalogs ​ Lacapati - she is the major fertility deity of the ancient Tagalogs. ​ Brave in War - warriors who died in battle OTHER WORSHIPS / PRIEST OF THE DEVIL ​ Tigmamanuguin - asian fairy bluebird, one of two species that have been suggested to be the actual bird referred to by the ancient Tagalogs as the tigmamanukan. ​ Catolonan - man or woman, most powerful rank ​ Mangangauay - can give sickness to its victim ( witches ) ​ Manyisalat - can cause impotence, infertility and sickness ​ Mancocolam - can cause illness and death, emits a powerful fire ​ Hocloban - can heal and cause death, can destroy home, powerful witch ​ Silagan - Eats liver, cause violent deaths ​ Magtatangal - head and body can separate ​ Osuang - can fly, eats flesh, sorcerer ​ Mangagayoma - made the unwilling fall in love, can deceive people ​ Sonat - preacher, can help one die ​ Pangatahojan - seer / fortune teller ​ Bayoguin - Cotquean, Man acting as a woman