NGEC 0113 : Activity 02 ( 30 Points)

Discuss the following comprehensively:

1. Who is Antonio Pigafetta? What is his role in the Magellan-Elcano expedition?

2. How are the islander’s ways of life, cultural practices, and religious beliefs described?3.
3. What does Pigafetta’s account tell us about the condition of the Visayan island in the 16 th
century?

Answer:

1. Antonio Pigafetta worked as Magellan's Assistant and was one of Ferdinand Magellan's
men/crew. Pigafetta kept a detailed journal of their journey, which is the source of
"Excerpts from Magellan's Voyage Around the World." In 1522, he was one of the 18
men that returned to Spain.
2. When the islanders are provided food during the first encounter, Pegafetta notices it for
the first time. On how coconut is really beneficial to islanders. Pigafetta recorded not
only the food of the Islanders in his notebook, but he also detailed the Islander's
appearance. According to Pigafetta, the people who live near the Island where they are
have holes in their ears large enough for their arms to pass through, and they go naked
with a sofcloth woven from tree bark around their pivies, except for some of the chiefs
who wear cotton cloth embroided with silk at the ends by needle. He saw an Islander
with tattoos that he characterized as painted, as well as accoutrements such as
goldearrings in the ear, gold armlets in the arms, kerchiefs on their heads, and other
items. In short, the Islanders were people who were pleased with what they had and
who were extremely reliant on nature. According to Pigafetta's report, the people of the
Visayan Islands lived a modest existence in the 16th century, but this was progressively
changing due to the impact of the voyagers.
3. According to Pigafetta's report, the people of the Visayan Islands lived a modest life in
the 16th century, but that was progressively changing due to the influence of the
voyagers.