Rev3Highlights: What is the most obscure ancient civilization that most people don't know/talk about?

Thursday, July 18, 2024

What is the most obscure ancient civilization that most people don't know/talk about?

This question previously had details. They are now in a comment.

Philippine History Professor Updated 4y

The Ancient Polities/Kingdoms/Mandalas of the Philippine archipelago - The Spanish colonization so obliterated the native cultures of the Philippine archipelago that there is little to no trace of the ancient civilizations that once existed here. Only the southern most kingdoms have never succumbed to the Spanish, although they have been successfully subjugated by the Americans later on. This article was made to compile evidence and data that could show us a glimpse of how the ancient native societies of the Philippines developed and how they interacted with other foreign societies around them. All of the evidences that have been compiled below also suggests that the ancient polities of the Philippines were closely related to the other polities of Southeast Asia. It was a good thing that the Spanish commissioned the (Boxer Codex) themselves because it depicts and records the ancient peoples who once lived in these lands prior to the colonization, without this ‘invaluable’ artifact we wouldn’t have any idea about how the natives looked or how they dressed. Another fact about the Boxer Codex is that it was painted by an anonymous Chinese artist who was employed by the Spanish.

Tagalog Royals - Kingdom/Mandala of Tondo.

Tagalog Nobles - Kingdom/Mandala of Tondo.

Tagalog Commoners - Kingdom/Mandala of Tondo.

Tagalog Slaves - Kingdom/Mandala of Tondo (Even slaves owned gold).

Visayan Royals - Visayan Kingdoms/Mandalas.

Cagayan Princesses - Kingdom/Mandala of Cagayan.

Cagayan Warrior - Kingdom/Mandala of Cagayan.

Some of the last Royals in Mindanao - (Datu-Rajah Munda Mandi and his wife Dayang Kamliya).

A map showing some of the ancient kingdoms.

Despite being sovereign from each other, these different societies still shared vast similarities due to trade. Intermarriages between the royals and nobles was also a very common practice to forge better alliances with each other. They also intermarried with the royals and nobles of Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.

Tondo - Expanded north and absorbed parts of the Kingdom of Cagayan and parts of Pangasinan… but Pangasinan was a (Huangdom), then known as (Caboloan), which means that it was under heavy Chinese influence. Tondo had secured a monopoly on the trade of Chinese goods in Maritime Southeast Asia, which means that fully absorbing Pangasinan was a risky move due to the fact that it could possibly anger the Chinese Emperor and jeopardize Tondo’s trade relations with China.

Tondo - colored in red
Caboloan - the small gap in the upper left of Tondo

The Boxer Codex also depicts some of the foreign immigrants and merchants who were living in the Philippine archipelago at the time of initial contact with Spain.

Chinese Merchants/Migrants.

Chinese Generals.

Japanese Merchants/Migrants.

Northern Vietnamese Merchants/Migrants - (Caupchy).

Central Vietnamese Merchants/Migrants - (Quang Nam).

Southern Vietnamese Merchants/Migrants - (Champa).

Cambodian Merchants/Migrants.

Siamese/Thai Merchants/Migrants.

Brunean Merchants/Migrants.

Central Asian Merchants/Migrants - (Tatar).

Boxer Codex - (As previously mentioned), the Boxer Codex was commissioned by the Spanish and painted by an anonymous Chinese artist to record the native inhabitants and as well as the foreign merchants/migrants who were living in and around the Philippine archipelago at the time of initial contact with Spain. The Boxer Codex was stolen by the British during the British occupation of Manila in 1762. Upon its rediscovery, the manuscript was first thought to be a fairytale book belonging to the son of the governor general of Spain. Not much is known about the whereabouts of the codex until it ended up in the possession of Lord Ilchester. The codex was among what remained in his collection when his estate, Holland House in London, suffered from direct German shelling on 27 September 1940 during The Blitz. The manuscript was auctioned in 1947 and came into the possession of Professor Charles Ralph Boxer, an authority on the Far East, and after whom the document is named. It is now owned by the Lilly Library at Indiana University.

Cosmopolitan Societies - The native societies of the Philippine archipelago were truly cosmopolitan, in fact Indian influences may have started entering the Philippine archipelago during the 1st century AD via Indian trading activities in Southeast Asia. On the other hand, direct trade relations with China can be traced back as early as the Tang Dynasty 618-907 AD, (but archaeological evidence may suggest an earlier date of contact). While trade relations with other Southeast Asian countries may have started as early as 3,000 to 4,000 years ago.

Ancient trade languages used in the Philippine archipelago:

Old Malay
Old Javanese
Pali
Sanskrit
Middle Chinese

Angono Petroglyphs - Neolithic carvings on a rock wall in Binangonan east of Manila. On a small rock wall a short drive from the Philippine capital, enigmatic carvings that are believed to date back 5,000 years. It is the oldest known work of art in the Philippines.

Sa Huỳnh Culture - Jade artifacts made of Taiwanese nephrite discovered in the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia suggest widespread trade… The oldest green nephrite artifact is a pair of bracelets that have been recovered from the base of Nagsabaran in the Cagayan Valley. These artifacts have been dated to be around 3,500 - 4,000 years old, their mineral compositions are also consistent with that of Fengtian nephrite. Other artifacts such as agate, chalcedony, carnelian, zircon, garnet, gold, glass beads, ornaments and Han Dynasty bronze mirrors have also been dicovered. This is interesting due to the fact that most of these items are foreign in origin, which means that trade relations between the Sa Huỳnh Culture and other civilizations such as India and perhaps China must have occurred.

(Ling-Ling-O) Nephrite jade earrings - discovered in the Philippines, created 2,000 - 2,500 years ago.

(Ling-Ling-O) Stone earrings - discovered in Vietnam, created 2,000 - 2,500 years ago.

Sa Huynh glass (Ling-Ling-O) jewelry - made with glass blocks possibly imported from India.

After thousands of years, some tribes across Southeast Asia still continue to create (Ling-Ling-O) type jewelry up to the present day - Through time these ornaments have obviously evolved into their own unique designs, but what defines a (Ling-Ling-O) is that very ‘distinctive’ hole and gap that you can see on the center and on the sides of the pieces.

(Ling-Ling-O) type ear ornaments made into pendants - Luzon Highlands, 18th or 19th century, Philippines.

(Ling-Ling-O) type ear ornament - 8th or 9th century, Java, Indonesia. (We can see the obvious similarities between this aftifact and the artifact pictured above).

(Ling-Ling-O) type ear ornaments - known as (Mamuli) in Sumba, 19th century, Indonesia.

(Ling-Ling-O) type ear ornament - known as (Taiganja) in Sulawesi, 19th century, Indonesia.

(Rice terrace farming could have also originated from a common source) - Another possible piece of evidence for the interconnectivity of these different cultures is rice terrace farming, which can be seen all over East and Southeast Asia.

Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras - Created more than 2,000 years ago by the first wave of Austronesian migrants from Taiwan who populated the highlands of Luzon, it also covers an area of over 20,000 hectares.

Sapa Rice Terraces - Vietnam.

Tegallalang Rice Terraces - Bali, Indonesia.

Yunnan Rice Terraces - Southern China.

The Manunggul Burial Jar - Created around 890 - 710 BC. It depicts two figures, one representing the soul of the departed (front), while the other representing a spirit guide whose task is to assist the departed into the afterlife (back). Similar burial jars have also been found throughout Southeast Asia at around the same time period.

Philippine Highlanders - They became increasingly isolated over time, which is why they have been able to preserve their “original” culture unlike the cosmopolitan kingdoms of the lowlands who have been ‘hispanicized’ by the nearly four centuries of Spanish colonial rule.

Foreign Relations - Filipino king’s tomb in Ming Dynasty China, the tomb of Rajah/Sultan Paduka Batara, also known as (Paduka Pahala) in other sources.

Rajah/Sultan Paduka Batara - Was the Eastern King of Sulu, most famous for being the first king from an area in what is now modern-day Philippines to be buried in China. In 1417, Sultan Paduka Batara, with a retinue of 340 wives, ministers and retainers, sailed across the South Seas to the Chinese capital of Beijing, and presented to Ming Emperor Yong Le a memorial inscribed in gold, and such tributes as pearls, precious stones and tortoise shells. They registered with the Minister of Rites on Sept. 12, 1417* as Sultan Paduka Batara of the East Country, Maharajah Kolamanting of the West Country and Paduka Prabhu. On the 10th day, they were presented to the Emperor and received royal seals and investment as princes of the realm. After 27 days of a very cordial visit, the Sultan’s retinue prepared to go home. Before they took their leave on Oct. 8, 1417*, the Emperor gifted them richly with chinaware, court costumes, pennants or ceremonial insignia (symbol of the Emperor’s protection and acknowledgment), caparisoned horses, 200 bolts of silk, hundreds of thousands of copper coins and enough gold and silver to cover the expenses of the trip and still have some profit. They proceeded down the Grand Canal accompanied by military escorts. Unfortunately, sailing halfway through the Grand Canal, at the government hostel in Dezhou, Shandong, the Sultan fell ill and died on Oct. 22. Apparently weakened by the long voyage from the South Seas to Beijing and the rigors of the imperial visit, the Sultan could not endure the climate change and succumbed to the northern “autumn fever.” Upon hearing the news, the Ming Emperor was grief-stricken. He ordered an imperial burial for the Sultan. Imperial ministers arrived to construct a tomb with a memorial arch and gateway, perform the Confucian sacrifices for a reigning monarch and erect a memorial tablet which names him “Reverent and Steadfast.” The Emperor also gave his blessings to the Sultan’s eldest son Dumahan to succeed his father’s sultanate. Because of the dictum of ancestor worship and filial piety, the Sultan’s wife Kamulin, second son Andulu, third son Wenhalla and 10 followers stayed behind to tend the tomb. They were given accommodation and pension to observe the three-year mourning rites. The Emperor further ordered that while in Shandong, the family be given farmlands (238 mu), without taxes or tribute requirements, as well as monthly supply of food and clothing. The three Muslim families of Xia, Ma and Chen in Shandong were ordered to move to Dezhou to serve the Sultan’s family as personal servants and to till the land for them. Following the Sultan’s death, in 1420, the Western King sent a tribute mission. In 1421, the Eastern King’s mother sent her late son’s younger brother, Paduka Suli, to pay a visit again to the Imperial court. Paduka Suli left his mark in Chinese history when he gifted the Emperor with a precious giant Sulu pearl weighing seven liang (approximately 220 grams or 7.8 ounces). He spent two years in China visiting his nephews. In 1423, Paduka Batara’s wife Kamulin returned home to visit relatives. She was escorted with a royal send off and generous gifts. The following year, 1424, she returned with another Sulu tribute mission to China and stayed permanently in Dezhou with her two sons.

(Economy) - Business, Commerce and Trade.

Rita Ching Tan - Little was written in ancient Chinese books about the Philippines and Philippine-Chinese ties during the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1279-1368) dynasties. Most often quoted were the following: Zhu Fan Zhi (諸蕃誌 Record of Foreigners) and Dao Yi Zhi Lue (島夷志略 Record of Foreign Islands), both describing places in the Philippines; Wen Xian Tong Kao (文獻通考 Review of Literature and Documents), mentioning people from the Philippines visiting Guangzhou in 982 to trade; and Song Shi (宋史 History of the Song Dynasty), recording people from Butuan who journeyed to the mainland to pay tribute to the Chinese emperor in 1003. In reality, trade and ties between the Philippines and China flourished during the two dynasties. This can be seen from the rich collection of Song and Yuan ceramics unearthed in the Philippines that represent wares produced throughout the different regions of Fujian.

Song and Yuan Dynasty ceramics found in the Philippines were put on display at the Ayala Museum.

Philippine Exports - In the northern Philippines, a huge trading industry of burnay clay pots was set up by the natives to sustain supply due to the high demand of the Japanese and Okinawan traders. These burnay clay pots were used as storage containers for fermentation and other perishables. Luzon also has great abundance of rice, fowls, wine as well as great numbers of carabaos, deer, wild boar and goats. In addition, there were also great quantities of cotton and colored clothes, wax, honey and date palms produced by the natives. The Huangdom of Pangasinanoften exported deer-skins to Japan and Okinawa. The Nation of Ma-i produced beeswax, cotton, true pearls, tortoise shell, medicinal betel nuts and yuta cloth in their trade with East Asia. In Mindanao, the Rajahnate of Butuan specialized in the mining of gold and the manufacture of jewelry. The Sultanate of Maguindanao was known for the raising and harvesting of cinnamon. The Sultanate of Lanao had a fishing industry by lake Lanao and the Sultanate of Sulu had lively pearl-diving operations. The kingdoms of ancient Philippines were active in international trade, and they used the ocean as natural highways. Ancient peoples were engaged in long-range trading with their Asian neighbors as far west as the Maldives and as far north as Japan.
(Ruson/Luzon Tsubo) - These jars were brought over to Japan, taking the name from the largest Philippine island of Luzon. Ruson tsubo can be distinguished by the four lugs around the shoulder of the jar. They were highly coveted due to them being excellent storage containers for tea leaves. Tea that was carried in the Chatsubo Douchu was stored in Ruson tsubo. European observers in the 16th century noted that it was the 'homely' earthenware jars that were most valued and often commanding outrageous prices. Luzon jars became popular in the Muromachi Period.

Chinese Imports - Chinese trade porcelain found in the Philippine archipelago shows non-traditional Chinese designs and motifs, which indicates that the pre-colonial natives did have influence on what products would be imported, the designs and motifs reflects that of local tastes. Other Chinese products such as silk, paper, pigments, gunpowder and earthenwares were also in high demand.

Indian and Southeast Asian Imports - The main products imported from India and other Southeast Asian countries include spices, cloth, pigments, earthenwares, glass beads and gemstones. Indian and other South Asian religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism have also been imported into the rest of Southeast Asia, including what is now the Philippines.

Bronze Statue of a bodhisattva - The statue was discovered in present-day Bukidnon, in 2017, an area in Mindanao, which is the southern island of the Philippines. The craftsmanship of the statue clearly shows obvious Majapahit era aesthetics and was dated to be at least 600 to 700 years old. The origin of the statue is uncertain and further investigation is still needed to determine its history. The statue is currently owned by the avid Filipino art and artifact collector, Dr. Potenciano Malvar.

Hindu-Buddhist amulets - A black and white photograph of amulets depicting the Hindu elephant god Ganesha (left), discovered in Cebu and a Buddhist Bodhisattva (right), discovered in Palawan, before the icons were destroyed in World-War-II.

Balangay - A common trading vessel used in pre-colonial times, the oldest balangay ever found was dated to be from the year 320 AD. The average balangay measures at least 15 meters in length, while the largest balangay ever found measures at least 25 meters in length. On the other hand, the word (Barangay) or Town also originates from the word Balangay.

Indian Cultural Influence.

Dark Orange - The Indian subcontinent.
Light Orange - Other countries that are still culturally linked to India in the present day; notably Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Southern Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and Indonesia (excluding the easternmost Indonesia region where Indian influence is non-existent).
Yellow - Regions that are presently no longer included in the Indian cultural zone, but still have considerable current or historical Indian cultural influences, notably Afghanistan, Tibet autonomous region, Yunnan province, and the Philippines.

Mandala Political System.

The major Mandalas of Southeast Asia.

In the realm of politics, Indian influence accompanied the rise of new political entities, which, since they do not readily fall under the Western rubric of “states,” have been called mandalas. The mandala was not so much a territorial unit as a fluid field of power that emanated, in concentric circles, from a central court and depended for its continued authority largely on the court’s ability to balance alliances and to influence the flow of trade and human resources. Such a conception of political organization already had surfaced among Southeast Asians, but Indian civilization provided powerful metaphors for the change underway and for ways of extending it. The mandala was the predominant form of the Southeast Asian state until it was displaced in the 19th century.
The mandala is a religious symbol representing the universe which was also incorporated with the early political system of Southeast Asia. The center of the mandala is considered to contain the power, while the power then spreads outwards. This is replicated in how the political system within Southeast Asia has a powerful center of administration. According to historian O.W. Wolters, (‘The map of earlier Southeast Asia, which evolved from the prehistoric networks of small settlements and reveals itself in historical records was a patchwork of often overlapping mandalas or ‘circles of kings’). This means that based on historical evidence, it can be seen that the different empires of Southeast Asia often overlapped and were not confined to geographical boundaries, indicating the presence of the Mandala system throughout the region.

Ancient Kingdoms/Mandalas of the Philppine archipelago - (Brief and Basic Information).

Kingdom/Mandala of Tondo - What is now known about the Kingdom of Tondo is that it initiated diplomatic ties with China during the Ming Dynasty which ruled China from 1368 to 1644 AD, following the collapse of the Mongolled Yuan Dynasty. The Ming Annals record the arrival of an envoy from Luzon in 1373 AD. From these records, it is apparent that the rulers of Tondo were acknowledged not as mere chieftains, but as kings. This reference places Tondo into the larger context of Chinese trade with the peoples of the Philippine archipelago and explains why it also became a dominant force in regional trade. From that viewpoint, Luzon and Tondo thus became a centre from which Chinese goods were traded all across Southeast Asia. Chinese trade was so strict that Luzon traders carrying these goods were considered “Chinese” by the people they encountered. Cultural links between what are now China and the Philippines dates back to the peopling of these lands, but the earliest archeological evidence of trade between the Philippines and China takes the form of pottery and porcelain pieces dated to the Tang (618-907 AD) and Song (960-1279 AD) Dynasties. Tondo’s existence has already been established and the archeological evidence indicates that both it and the older Namayan Kingdom in Luzon were part of this trade. The rise of the Ming dynasty also witnessed the arrival of the first Chinese settlers in the Philippines. They were well received and lived together in harmony with the existing local population eventually intermarrying with them such that today, numerous Philippine people have Chinese blood running in their veins.
Kingdom/Mandala of Butuan - Was an Indic polity centered on present Mindanao island in the modern city of Butuan in what is now the southern Philippines. It was known for its mining of gold, its gold products and its extensive trade network across the Nusantara area. The kingdom had trading relationships with the ancient civilizations of Japan, China, India, Indonesia, Persia, Cambodia and areas now comprised in Thailand. Evidence indicates that Butuan was in contact with the Song dynasty of China by at least 1001 AD. The Chinese annal Song Shih recorded the first appearance of a Butuan tributary mission (Li Yui-han 李竾罕 and Jiaminan) at the Chinese Imperial Court on March 17, 1001 AD and it described Butuan (P'u-tuan) as a small Hindu country with a Buddhist monarchy in the sea that had a regular connection with the Champa kingdom and intermittent contact with China under the Rajah named Kiling. The rajah sent an envoy under I-hsu-han, with a formal memorial requesting equal status in court protocol with the Champa envoy. The request was denied later by the Imperial court, mainly because of favoritism over Champa. A new ruler with the Indianized name Sri Bata Shaja later succeeded in attaining diplomatic equality with Champa by sending the flamboyant ambassador Likanhsieh. Likanhsieh shocked the Emperor Zhenzong by presenting a memorial engraved on a gold tablet, some white dragon (Bailong 白龍) camphor, Moluccan cloves, and a South Sea slave at the eve of an important ceremonial state sacrifice. This display of irreverence sparked interests from China over the small Rajahnate and the diplomatic relations between the two polities reached its peak during the Yuan dynasty. Chinese records about the Rajahnate stopped after the reign of Rajah Colambu, the last independent Rajah of Butuan. He was formally subjugated into the Spanish Empire after he made a blood compact with Ferdinand Magellan in 1521.
Kingdom/Mandala of Cebu - The name "Cebu" comes from the old Cebuano word sibu or sibo ("trade"), a shortened form of sinibuayng hingpit ("the place for trading"). It was originally applied to the harbors of the town of Sugbu, the ancient name for Cebu City. Alternate renditions of the name by traders between the 13th to 16th centuries include Sebu, Sibuy, Zubu, or Zebu, among others. Due to Spanish colonization little is known about the kingdom of Cebu as most of the records and documents have been destroyed. What we know is that Magellan's chronicler, Antonio Pigafetta, mentioned that merchants and ambassadors from all surrounding areas came to pay tribute to the rajah of Sugbu (Cebu) for the purpose of trade. While Magellan's crew was staying in the kingdom, they mentioned an envoy from Siam (Thailand) who had arrived to pay tribute to the rajah.

(I didn’t include some of the other kingdoms/Mandalas due to the lack of readily available online information about them).

6th to 16th century gold artifacts - Treasures that survived the Spanish looting and plunder of the 16th to 19th centuries.

A 4kg Hindu Upavita/Sash.

The Golden Tara, an image of a (bodhisattva) - The statue is currently in the possession of the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, USA.

Gold necklaces - (Kuwintas) of varying designs and sizes, including a nearly 15ft long (kamagi) ‘gear link’ necklace.

Gold Belts - (Kandit)

Gold Bangles/Bracelets - (Kalambigi)

Earrings - (Hikaw)

Forearm Bands

Knee/Calf Rings

Chastity Covers

Sword & Dagger Handles.

Rings - (Sing-Sing)

Decorative Dentistry, the Bolinao Skull.

Bowls - (Mangkok) and Cups - (Inuman).

Cord Weights

Balance Scale

Diadem/Crown - (Putong)

Kinnari - Hindu-Buddhist Mythological Creature.

Betel nut box and other containers.

Tweezers - (Tiyani)

Coins - (Bulawan)

Ladle Handle

Gold Barter Rings - These were used as both currency and ear ornaments.

Pectoral Pendants

Burial death masks.

Dagger and Gold Scabbard.

Ornaments

Other Photos

Professor John Miksic - An authority on Southeast Asian prehistory from the National University of Singapore, has said that this collection represents the single most valuable tangible heritage of the Philippines. It may shine a light on the continuing discussion of Philippine cultural identity.
Ken Johnson, (The New York Times) - How was it that knowledge of a culture — or collection of cultures — capable of such exquisite and sophisticated metalworking was forgotten and left without a name? That is a tangled tale.
Dr. Florina Capistrano-Baker - The Spanish colonization and conversion commenced in ‘earnest’ in 1565 after Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Augustinian missionary, Andres de Urdaneta, traveled across the Pacific from Mexico, landing in the central island of Cebu, they reported gold jewelry in astonishing quantity, and when they learned that the heirloom wealth was interred as burial offerings, they sacked the graves.

Gold used as burial offerings.

Northeast Mindanao Salvage Project - April 4-6, 1981. Archaeologist Warren Peterson and his team excavated six graves in the site called Masago near present-day Butuan City in 1981. Near the burial, Chinese ceramic shards of the Northern Song period from kilns in Fujian or Zhejiang suggest that the grave dates to the tenth to twelfth century.

The art of gold thread weaving - Gold thread weaving is known as (Inaul) in the southern Philippines and (Songket) in Malaysia. Gold thread is woven into silk to create richly embroidered brocade patterns which also creates a shiny, glistening effect on the fabrics. Gold thread weaving was a widespread artform and cultural practice throughout Southeast Asia.

Photos of recreated ancient and historical costumes with Inaul/Songket brocade patterns and as well as scenes from daily life.

Brassware and Bronzeware art - Brass and bronze were used to create highly ornate decorative ornaments and tablewares such as (jars, plates, pitcher, bowls, cups, vases, gongs, ladles, etc).

(Baybayin) - One of the more well known ancient (Indic Scripts) of the Philippines and just like the vast majority of other Southeast Asian writing systems, it is also heavily influenced by the (Brahmi Script). It was typically written on palm leaves and bamboo most of which didn’t survive the colonial period.

Butuan Ivory Seal - An ivory stamp seal associated with a shell midden dated 9th-12th century was found in Libertad, Butuan City in Agusan del Norte (southern Philippines). Inscribed on the seal is the word Butban in stylized Kavi. The script has a similarity to the Tagalog script. Butban, was presumed to stand for Butwan or Butuan since the letters “b” and “w” were frequently interchanged. Dated 1002 A.D., the seal could have been used for documentation in trading.

Butuan Silver Palaeograph - Also known as the "Butuan Silver Strip", is a piece of metal with inscriptions found in Butuan province in the Philippines by the mid-1970s.

Baybayin Inscriptions on Bamboo.

Calatagan Pot

Rizal/Monreal Stone

University of Santo Tomas Baybayin Documents - The UST baybayin documents cover two legal real estate transactions in 1613, during the early years of Spanish colonization.

Other examples of Baybayin.

Laguna Copperplate Inscription - The oldest written document to be ever discovered in the Philippine archipelago, it was written using the old Javanese (Kawi Script) which is the predecessor of Baybayin. A date using the old Hindu calendar is also written on the document which corresponds to the year 900 AD, (1,100 years ago). Another interesting fact about the Laguna Copperplate Inscription is that it also mentions the kingdom of Medang that once existed on the island of Java, in what is now the modern nation of Indonesia. Unfortunately, half of the document is missing.

Translation of the Laguna Copperplate Inscription.

Hail! In the Saka-year 822; the month of March–April; according to the astronomer: the fourth day of the dark half of the moon; on Monday. At that time, Lady Angkatan together with her relative, Bukah by name, the child of His Honor Namwaran, was given, as a special favor, a document of full acquittal, by the Chief and Commander of Tundun representing the Leader of Pailah, Jayadewa. This means that His Honor Namwran, through the Honorable Scribe was totally cleared of a salary-related debt of 1 kati and 8 suwarna (865 grams of gold): in the presence of His Honor the Leader of Puliran, Kasumuran; His Honor the Leader of Pailah, representing Ganashakti; (and) His Honor the Leader of Binwangan, representing Bisruta. And, with his whole family, on orders of the Chief of Dewata representing the Chief of Medang, because of his loyalty as a subject (slave?) of the Chief, therefore all the descendants of his Honor Namwaran have been cleared of the whole debt that His Honor owed the Chief of Dewata. This (document) is (issued) in case there is someone, whosoever, some time in the future, who will state that the debt is not yet acquitted of His Honor… (Line 10 of the LCI ends mid-sentence).

Kota Maynila - Centered on a fortress at the mouth of the Pasig river (Kota means fortress or city in Malay). When the Spanish came and invaded Maynila they described, Kota Selurong, "The City of Selurong" of Maynila, as a settlement with a fortress of rammed earth with stockades and in between battlements there are cannons. The cannons were native-made and forged by Panday Pira, they were called lantakas. When the Spanish invaded and burned Maynila's Kota Selurong to the ground, they built up the Christian walled city of Intramuros on top of the ruins of ancient Maynila.

Panday Pira - (1488–1576) was a Muslim Kapampangan blacksmith. His name literally translates as "Blacksmith Pira", panday being the Filipino word for "blacksmith". Panday Pira was a native of the southern islands of the Philippines. He migrated to Maynila in 1508 and established a foundry on the northern bank of the Pasig River. Rajah Sulayman commissioned Panday Pira to cast the (lantakas) cannons that were mounted on the palisades surrounding his kingdom.

(Lantaka and Cetbang) - Cannons/Firearms used in the Philippine archipelago and the rest of Maritime Southeast Asia prior to European contact, these were mounted on boats, ships and even fortifications… on a side note, the Dutch and Portuguese colonizers also mentioned capturing 3,000 out of 8,000 (Lantakas and Cetbangs) after the fall of the kingdom of Malacca in Malaysia.

Lantakas and Cetbangs, displayed at the National Museum of the Philippines.

Lantakas and Cetbangs of Philippine origin, displayed at a European Museum.

Some of the lantakas and cetbangs used by the natives of the southern island of the Philippines - (Mindanao) to resist the American invasion.

A drawing by British sailor Frank Marryat depicting a boat equipped with a lantaka/cetbang, Sulu, Philippines.

(Lawig) - Also known as (Karakoas) to the Spanish, these ancient warships were also equipped with lantakas and cetbangs.

The Spanish - Attacked Maynila on May 24, 1570, led by Martin de Goiti, Maestro de Campo. The forces under Goiti were victorious and Maynila burned to the ground… the Spanish then constructed (Intramuros) on the site of the charred remains of ancient Maynila.

Legazpi - Eventually established a permanent Spanish settlement in Maynila on May 19, 1571 and on June 3 of the same year, Rajah Sulayman waged the Battle of Bankusay Channel to re-capture his kingdom from the Spaniards but failed in his attempts. Panday Pira then fled to Pampanga where he attempted to begin a new life in sitio Capalangan in the town of Apalit, working as a blacksmith forging farm implements. He was, however, summoned by Legazpi back to Manila and put to work forging cannons for the Spaniards.
(Intramuros) - The Spanish city constructed on top of the ruins of ancient Maynila… (hence, why the capital of the Philippines is now called Manila). The Spanish chose Maynila as their base because, (as previously mentioned), the ancient kingdom of Tondo had secured a monopoly on the trade of Chinese goods in maritime Southeast Asia.

Tondo Conspiracy - In a desperate bid to expel the Spanish, the natives tried to contact and ask for assistance from Brunei, and they also sought help from a Japanese sea captain named Juan Gayo and asked for arms and warriors to fight alongside them in exchange for one-half of the tribute collected in the Philippines, but the Spanish discovered the plot and so most of the royals and nobles were either executed or exiled to Mexico. By the way, Japanese sea captain Juan Gayo had been converted to Christianity, which explains his name.

Ancient Blades of the Philippines - Similar weapons can also be found in Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.

Kris/Keris Blades.

Kampilan and Bankung Blades.

Talibong, Gunong and Pira Blades - Out of these three, only the Talibong isn’t pre-colonial.

Panabas and Barung Blades.

Bagobo & T'boli Swords and Igorot Head Axes.

Mandaya Weapons

Other Photos

Ancient style wooden architecture - (Without the use of nails), the parts and pieces of these structures were made to fit each other like puzzles which made them resistant to earthquakes.

Even with major Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic influences, the native people still practiced some form of Animism, Nature Worship and Ancestor Worship which they believed prohibited stone structures. However it is still unclear if stone structures were completely absent in the lowland kingdoms, as the vast majority of documents have been destroyed during the colonial times. The only indication we have is a place called (Cotabato) which comes from two words, (Kota) meaning (Fort), and (Bato) meaning (Stone), which basically translates to (Stone Fort), but one thing is certian, wood and bamboo were much more favored/preferred as building materials over stone.

Old Bangsa style mosque in Taraka, Lanao Del Sur - Prior to the usage of the common Arabic style merged with modernist style mosque architecture, the vernacular mosques of the Philippines used to be in the pagoda-style, which were very common up until the late 19th century. This type of architecture shows both Chinese and Malay influences, it is similar to the pagoda-style places of worship in Malaysia and Indonesia, specifically, Bali. The pagoda-style mosques are largely attributed to the Hindu and Buddhist pasts of the current Muslim areas in the Philippines. These mosques have eight, five, or three tiers, making them look as if they are pathways to heaven. The pagoda-style mosque building is currently an endangered art form in the Philippines, as most mosques are now built in the Domed/Arabian-style.

A similar pagoda style mosque in Java, Indonesia - (Demak Agung Mosque).

Native Mythology and Religious Beliefs - Pre-colonial natives practiced a variety of different faiths. (As previously mentioned), the natives originally practiced Animism, Nature Worship and Ancestor Worship… while Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam arrived later through trade and Christianity arrived through colonization. (This is just going to be a brief overview of mostly Tagalog mythology).

Bakunawa - Is a serpent-like dragon in Philippine mythology that is believed to be the cause of eclipses, earthquakes, rains, and wind. It is also sometimes known as (Naga), in syncretization with the Hindu-Buddhist serpent deity, Nāga. The movements of the Bakunawa served as a geomantic calendar system for ancient Filipinos and were part of the shamanistic rituals of the babaylan. It is usually depicted with a characteristically looped tail and was variously believed to inhabit either the sea, the sky, or the underworld. During ancient times, Pre-colonial Cebuanos believe that there are seven moons created by Bathala to light up the sky. The Bakunawa, amazed by their beauty, would rise from the ocean and swallow the moons whole, angering Bathala and causing them to be mortal enemies.

Bathala - The concept of a Supreme Deity is nothing new to the natives, it predates the arrival of both Islam and Christianity. This God was called Bathala, he is said to reside in (Kaluwalhatian) the highest realm of heaven, he is said to have created the world/universe, humans, animals and plants, he also created a pantheon of other lesser deities to help guide/assist humans in daily life. Bathala or Batala was apparently derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Bhattara’ = (Noble Lord). Aside from this, the ancient natives of the Philippines also used other foreign and native names or titles to call God, such as ‘Abba’ = (Father) which is Aramaic in origin, while native titles such as ‘Panginoon’ = (Lord) and ‘Maykapal’ = (Creator) are also other names or titles that were used and still are currently used to call God. In fact the honorific (Po/Opo) and (Po-on) originated from the word ‘Panginoon’… the former was originally used when conversing with Royals and Nobles to honor their "Divine Right", but is now currently used when conversing with the elderly to make the statements sound more respectful, while the latter is yet another name or title also currently used to call God.

Diwata - In Philippine mythology, diwatas are lesser deities or spirits that were sent by Bathala to guide humans in daily life. The term diwata is derived from the Sanskrit word devata देवता. Devatas on the other hand are sacred or divine beings in Hindu-Buddhist mythology. In modern times the meaning of the term "diwata" has slightly changed because it is currently only used to refer to fairies or nymphs.

Anito - Ancestral and nature spirits that were a part of the pre-Hindu and pre-Buddhist animistic spiritual beliefs of the natives. Early native animism later intermixed with incoming Hindu-Buddhist influences which caused these different spritual beliefs to be syncretized. Anitos were also said to have guided humans in daily life, similar to diwatas/devatas... (On a side note, the image below is the only known photo of the golden anito from the mines of Suyoc in Mankayan, Benguet. The photo was taken in 1909).

Sitan - The archenemy of Bathala, he is the guardian of Kasamaan and the keeper of all souls therein. His task is to lead man to sin and destruction… (He is not to be confused with Satan, but he plays a very similar role). He is said to have four agents tasked at tempting and ruining mankind. (The relationship between Bathala and Sitan was first documented by Juan de Plasencia in 1589. How much of this can be taken as certainty and how much is a Christian interpretation will always be up for debate, but the concept of “hell” certainly predates the Spanish arrival in the region).

The four agents of Sitan

Manggagaway - She is the first agent of Sitan and was primarily blamed as the cause of diseases. Sometimes, she would change herself into a human form, appearing as a false healer. If she wished to kill someone, she employed a magic wand.

Manisilat - The second agent of Sitan, she was tasked to destroy and break every happy and united family that she could find.

Mangkukulam - The only male agent of Sitan, he was to emit fire at night and when there was bad weather. Like his fellow agents, he could change his form to that of a healer and then induce fire at his victim's house. If the fire were extinguished immediately, the victim would eventually die. His name remains today as "witch".

Hukluban - The last agent of Sitan could change herself into any form she desired. She could kill someone by simply raising her hand and could heal without any difficulty as she wished. Her name literally means "crone" or "hag."

The Afterlife

Maca - A place of “eternal peace and happiness.”
Kasanaan/Kasamaan - The “village of grief and affliction”, a place of punishment ruled by Sitan.

Spread of Christianity.

Unlike the religions with which Southeast Asia had been familiar, Christianity showed no interest in syncretic accommodation of local animist or other beliefs. The Spanish friars rooted out whatever they could find in the way of indigenous tradition, destroying much of cultural value, including a native writing system. By the 18th century, most of the Philippines, except the Muslim south, was Roman Catholic, and a society that was both Filipino and Christian had begun to evolve. Elsewhere in Southeast Asia, however—with the exception of Vietnam and parts of the Moluccas island group of eastern Indonesia—Christianity attracted little interest. It did not go unopposed and was resisted, for example, by Buddhist monks in Thailand and Cambodia in the 16th century, but Christian doctrines do not appear to have attracted the general populace.

Other Technologies

Fire Piston - The fire piston was used to start or create fire, the exact place of origin of this invention is unknown but it has been reported to have been used in Burma, the Malay Peninsula, Indo-China, Borneo, Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, the Philippines, Madagascar and South India. Some sources also claim that the fire piston may have inspired and helped in the invention and development of the steam engine and the diesel engine. (Iformation about this invention is quite hazy which is why I have provided a video and other sources below).

Ancient weaving looms and other related artifacts for textile making.

The Banton cloth - Estimated to be from the 13th to the early 14th century, is the oldest exsiting piece of cloth in the Philippines and is considered to be the earliest specimen of wrap tie-dyed textile in Southeast Asia.

Board Game

Sungka - A Philippine mancala game which is similar to many other Southern Asian mancala games such as naranj (Maldives), dakon (Java), congkak (Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia) and tchonka (Marianas). In ancient times, sungka boards were also used for mathematical calculations, which were researched by Indian ethnomathematicians.

Moreover, sungka is still used by fortune tellers and prophets, which are called babaylan or maghuhula in the Philippines, for divinatory purposes.

Sports/Games

Sepak Takraw - A ball game widely played around Southeast Asia. Places like the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar/Burma, Vietnam and Laos have records of this game. Some believe that many variations of this game evolved from cuju, an ancient Chinese military exercise, where soldiers would try to keep a feathered shuttlecock airborne by kicking it back and forth between two people. As the sport developed, the animal hide and chicken feathers were eventually replaced by balls made of woven strips of rattan.

Examples of traditional musical instruments.

Kulintang - Horizontally laid gong-chimes.

Xylophone - (Gabbang)

Kudyapi - A Philippine three-stringed, fretted boat-lute.

Drums - (Dabakan)

Gandingan - A set of four large, hanging gongs.

Kulintang a tiniok - A type of Philippine metallophone.

Flute - (Suling)

Videos

Philippine Gold: Treasures of Forgotten Kingdoms - Curator Talk in New York. Philippine Gold: The Curator Talk
Philippine History.

The Sound of the Old Indo-Philippine Language - (Laguna Copperplate Inscription).

What's the Golden Tara?

Philippine Gold: Treasures of Forgotten kingdoms - Exhibit in New York.

Philippine sultans bid to reclaim lost kingdom.

Singkil - A traditional dance based on the (Darangen epic) of the Maranao people, which is also the native interpretation of the (Ramayana epic) of India. Despite converting to Islam the Maranao people still preserved and continued dancing ‘Singkil’.

Other traditional dances - (Highland Tribes, Lowland Kingdoms and the Colonial Period).

Ancient style music.

The Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras.

History of invention, the fire piston.

Because of this finds, some people speculate that the Philippine archipelago may have been the Biblical land of Ophir, were King Solomon got his gold. (I’m not religious myself and this is just mostly speculation, but I thought of adding this extra video down here for you guys to make up you minds about this subject).

Sources:

A lot of people usually associate the “greatness” of a civilization with the stone structures that they may have left behind and other than the rice terraces, the Philippines doesn’t really have an abundance of massive stone structures, particularly temples, so I have simply compiled information and as well as photos of artifacts, costumes and scenes of daily life that could give us an idea about how my ancestors lived.

I acknowledge the fact that the modern nation of the Philippines is heavily influenced by Spain and Western culture, but these lands have also witnessed so much more history beyond the colonial period that also deserves acknowledgement and attention.

This article is meant to give voice and justice to my ancestors who have been silenced because history is written by the victors. If I had kept silent this information would have stayed hidden, and though I know that my efforts may just be a tiny drop in a limitless ocean, I would still want to be the change I wish to see in this world.