Customs of the Tagalog

1. What is the political/judicial system during pre-Spanish colonization?

Luzon:THE PULONG
The barangay-type coastal societies of the Tagalogs, their state council might be called
the Pulong, also known as Lipon or Lupon, and its council member was titled
as kapulong or kagawad.
Visayas:THE KASAPULAN
The banwa-type settlements, their state council might be called the Kasapulan while its council
member was called kasapul.
Mindanao:THE RUMA BICHARA
The sultanates of Mindanao that had the banwa-type groups, they referred their councilman
as mantiri, and the Tausugs called their state council as the Ruma Bichara, while the Maguindanaons
called theirs as the Bichara Atas.

2. What is the economic system during pre-Spanish colonization?

Luzon: Had a great abundance of rice, fowl, and wine as well as great numbers of carabaos, deer, wild boar and
goats. In addition, there were great quantities of cotton and colored clothes, wax, honey and date palms produced
by the natives. The precolonial state of Caboloan in Pangasinan often 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. Ma-i's vassal state of Sandao exports kapok, beeswax, native cloth, and coir matting. Its other
vassal state, Pulilu, meanwhile, exports rare red and blue corals. By the early sixteenth century, the two largest
polities of the Pasig River delta, Maynila and Tondo, established a shared monopoly on the trade of Chinese goods
throughout the rest of the Philippine archipelago.[2] The polity of Namayan had many industries including
carpentry, masonry, and fishing. The Polity of Cainta also had similar industries.
Visayas:The Kedatuan of Madja-as, the Kedatuan of Dapitan, and the Rajahnate of Cebu on the other
hand were abundant in rice, fish, cotton, swine, fowl, wax and honey. Leyte was said to produce two
rice crops a year, and Pedro Chirino commented on the great rice and cotton harvests that were
sufficient to feed and clothe the people.
Mindanao: The Rajahnate of Butuan specialized in the mining of gold and the manufacture of
jewellery. The Rajahnate of Sanmalan specialized in the transhipment of spices and an analysis
of Sanmalan's Rajah Chulan's tribute to the Chinese Emperor, of aromatics, dates, glassware, ivory,
peaches, refined sugar, and rose- water, show it had trade links with Western Asia which they
leveraged to the Philippines. Later on, the nation was known to raid for slaves to sell in Java.
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.
3. What is the social system during pre-Spanish colonization?
Ruling Class:
Raja,Lakan: paramount Leader of the confederacy of Barangay states. In a confederacy forged by
alliances among polities, the datu would convene to choose a paramount chief from among
themselves; their communal decision would be based on a datu's prowess in battle, leadership, and
network of allegiances.
Datu: were maginoo with personal followings (dulohan or barangay). His responsibilities include:
governing his people, leading them in war, protecting them from enemies and settling disputes. He
received agricultural produce and services from his people, and distributed irrigated land among his
barangay with right of usufruct.
Maginoo: Comprised the ruling class of Tagalogs, Ginoo was both honorific for both men and
women.Panginoon were maginoo with many slaves and other valuable property like houses and
boats. Lineage was emphasized over wealth; the nouveau riche were derogatorily referred to as
maygintawo (fellow with a lot of riches). Members included: those who could claim noble lineage,
members of the datu's family.
Sultan: Powerful governor of a province within the caliphate or dynasties of Islamic regions. Their
position was inherited by a direct descent in a royal bloodline who could claim the allegiances of the
datu.
Middle Class and Freeman:
Timawa: Non-slaves who can attached themselves to the Datu of their choice. They could use and
bequeath a portion of barangay land.
In Luzon, their main responsibility to the datu was agricultural labor, but they could also work in
fisheries, accompany expeditions, and rowboats. They could also perform irregular services, like
support feasts or build houses.
In Visayas, they paid no tribute and rendered no agricultural labor. They were seafaring warriors
who bound themselves to a datu. illegitimate children of Maginoo and slaves and former alipin who
paid off their debts.
Maharlika: Warrior class of the barangay, rendered military services to the Datu and paid for their
own equipment and weapons. They also received a share of the spoils.
Alpin/Uripon:
Alipin Namamahay: Slaves who lived in their own houses apart from their creditor. If the alipin's
debt came from insolvency or legal action, the alipin and his creditor agreed on a period of indenture
and an equivalent monetary value in exchange for it. The alipin namamahay was allowed to farm a
portion of barangay land, but he was required to provide a measure of threshed rice or a jar of rice
wine for his master's feasts. He came whenever his master called to harvest crops, build houses,
rowboats, or carry cargo. those who have inherited debts from namamahay parents, timawa who
 went into debt, and former alipin saguiguilid who married and were allowed to live outside of
master's house.
Alipin Saguiguilid: Slaves who lived in their creditor's house and were entirely dependent on him for
food and shelter. Male alipin sagigilid who married were often raised to namamahay status, because
it was more economical for his master (as opposed to supporting him and his new family under the
same roof). However, female alipin sagigilid were rarely permitted to marry. children born in
creditor's house and children of parents who were too poor to raise them.
4. What is the cultural/religious/spiritual system during pre-Spanish colonization?
The indigenous Filipinos not only manifested their progress in trade, commerce, and governance, but
also revealed how they related to and conceived ideas about their gods and goddesses. Long before
the arrival of the Europeans, they experienced “supernatural” energy, an “encounter” with the divine.
The rituals were intended not only to pacify evil spirits, but also to satisfy their need to celebrate that
energy in many different areas of their lives and had gods and goddesses to participate in them. Thus,
they had gods and goddesses for every time and season, in war, planting and harvesting, sickness,
natural calamities, famine, and sex. Their spiritual life was related to every aspect of their daily
living, even in the most mundane thing, such as cleaning the pigpen. there was a god or goddess to
whom they could turn for any human need. The indigenous spiritual traditions are based on the belief
that the world is inhabited by spirits and supernatural entities, both good and bad. They believed too
that sometimes the gods were at war with each other. Their gods and goddesses often times
interfered deeply with human lives, such as in earthquakes and storms. Anitos were worshiped as
saints because they were the soul of their pious ancestors. These ancestors were venerated for
protection of homes and safeguard of families. regions offer food before a picture of the deceased.
The idols were perfumed and dressed, comparatively in the same manner as the contemporary
Christian saints are dressed. The natives have many ritual practices that are opposed Christian faith.
For instance, picking flower or fruit, they ask permission from the “Nuno” or tutelary spirit so as to
avoid offending for trespassing. This is evident too when they pass through some field, river, brook,
stream, or by a huge tree, permission is asked first. The “Nuno” is the origin of “Nuno sa Punso” or
dwarfs, who reside at a mound of clay or bushes. To avoid displeasing the “Nuno sa Punso”, a
passerby utters, “Please allow me to pass” (“Nakikiraan po”).

5. What are the mode of dressing during pre-Spanish colonization?

Clothing has always had a cultural impact. In the Philippines, influenced largely by the tropical
climate, pre-colonial settlers donned intricately woven garb and adorned themselves with precious
stones. Men wore a loincloth called the “bahag” and the “canga”, a type of collarless shirt that would
later evolve into the modern-day barong. Accordingly, the women’s long wraparound garment
became the earliest blueprint of the “baro’t saya”, now considered the Philippines’ national costume.
Sources:https://www.lofficialph.com/fashion/instagrams-to-visit-for-your-daily-slice-of-philippine-
fashion-history
https://www.filcatholic.org/state-of-the-nations-religion-the-pre-hispanic-years
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precolonial_barangay
https://datupress.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_history_of_the_Philippines