Lesson 1: First Voyage Around the World

Activity 3: Research ME!

Research on The First Voyage Around the World by Ferdinand Magellan by Antonio Pigafetta:
Give a concise explanation/discussion on the following items

1. What was the purpose of the voyage of Magellan?

Answer: The purpose of the voyage of Magellan is to gain popularity or fame and fortune. And since spice, is the
epicenter of the world economy Magellan offered himself to King Manuel of Portugal but got rejected. So he offered his
service to King Charles I since Portugal and Spain are rivals in seeking a new route to Asia. Ferdinand Magellan promised
to King Charles I that his westward sea voyage would bring immeasurable riches to Spain.
2. What were the reasons for their stay on the island?
Answer: They stay on the island to get some food which needed for their voyage and also get things that they wanted.
3. How did Pigafetta describe the natives of the island?
Answer: Antonio Pigafetta described the people near the island of Zuluam; people who wear holes in their ears that is
huge that they can pass their arms through them; these people are called Caphre or Gentiles, they go naked, except that
round in their middles they wear cloth made of the bark of trees. But Pigafetta also described that some people who wear
cotton stuff and at the end of it thereof silk done with a needle which are remarkable for Pigafetta and other Spaniards. He
also added that these people are tawny, fat, and painted and they anoint themselves to preserve them from the sun and
wind, their hair is very black and long, reaching to the waist, and they carry small daggers and knives, ornamented with
gold and many other things, such as darts, harpoons, and nets to fish. Antonio Pigafetta described people in the island of
Mazzava as gentle, and go naked, and are painted. They wear a piece of cloth made from a tree, like a linen cloth, round
their body to cover their natural parts; they are great drinkers. The women are dressed in the cloth from their waists
downwards; their hair is black and reaches down to the ground, they wear certain gold rings in their ears. These people
chew most of their time to a fruit called areca, which is like a shape of a pear, cut into four quarters, and chewed it for a
long time they spit it out, afterward, they have their mouths very red.
4. What were the traditions or ways of living of the natives as observed by the travelers?
Answer: The traditions or way of living of the natives as observed of the travelers is that natives, like to give them,
presents like fish, a vessel of plan wine, figs, cochos, bread, wine, oil, vinegar, and many more. It serves as a gift to their
visitors which shows friendship, respect, and gratitude.
5. What were the cultural practices imparted by Magellan's group/Spaniards to the natives?
Answer: The cultural practices imparted by Magellan's group to the natives are religious belief, politics, and a variety of
cultures. Several Roman Catholic religious orders were assigned the responsibility of Christianizing the natives. A new
cultural community was developing, but Muslims (known as Moros by the Spanish) and upland tribals peoples remained
detached and not converted into Catholic.