A Brief Summary of “The First Voyage Around the World

by Magellan” by Antonio Pigafetta

Content and Contextual Analysis

Submitted by:
Selvano, Jaylou
Garnica, Joshua
Caculba, Irish
Burato, Sandara
Rule, Stephen

Submitted to:
Cagampang, Rubylyn C., MAEd

June 20, 2024

 A Brief Summary of “The First Voyage Around the World
by Magellan” by Antonio Pigafetta

This book was taken from the chronicles of contemporary voyagers and navigators of the
sixteenth century. One of them was Italian nobleman Antonio Pigafetta, who accompanied
Ferdinand Magellan in his fateful circumnavigation of the world. Pigafetta's work instantly
became a classic that prominent literary men in the West like William Shakespeare, Michel
de Montaigne, and Giambattista Vico referred to in their interpretation of the New World.
Pigafetta's travelogue is one of the most important primary sources in the study of the
precolonial Philippines. His account was also a major referent to the events leading to
Magellan's arrival in the Philippines, his encounter with local leaders, his death in the hands
of Lapulapu's forces in the Battle of Mactan, and in the departure of what was left of
Magellan's fleet from the islands.

Examining the document reveals several insights, not just in the character of the Philippines
during the precolonial period, but also on how the fresh eyes of the Europeans regard a
deeply unfamiliar terrain, environment, people, and culture. Locating Pigafetta's account in
the context of its writing warrants a familiarity on the dominant frame of mind in the age of
exploration, which pervaded Europe in the fifteenth and sixteenth century. Students of
history need to realize that primary sources used in the subsequent written histories depart
from certain perspectives. Thus, Pigafetta's account was also written from the perspective of
Pigafetta himself and was a product of the context of its production. The First Voyage
Around the World by Magellan was published after Pigafetta returned to Italy.

For this chapter, we will focus on the chronicles of Antonio Pigafetta as he wrote his
firsthand observation and general impression of the Far East including their experiences in
the Visayas. In Pigafetta's account, their fleet reached what he called the Ladrones Islands
or the "Islands of the Thieves." He recounted:

"These people have no arms, but use sticks, which have a fish bone at the end. They are
poor, but ingenious, and great thieves, and for the sake of that we called these three islands
the Ladrones Islands."

The Ladrones Islands is presently known as the Marianas Islands. These islands are located
south-southeast of Japan, west-southwest of Hawaii, north of New Guinea, and east of
Philippines. Ten days after they reached Ladrones Islands, Pigafetta reported that they
reached what Pigafetta called the isle of Zamal, now Samar but Magellan decided to land in
another uninhabited island for greater security where they could rest for a few days.
Pigafetta recounted that after two days, March 18, nine men came to them and showed joy
and eagerness in seeing them. Magellan realized that the men were reasonable and
welcomed them with food, drinks, and gifts. In turn, the natives gave them fish, palm wine
(uraca), figs, and two cochos. The natives also gave them rice (umai), cocos, and other food
supplies. Pigafetta detailed in amazement and fascination the palm tree which bore fruits
called cocho, and wine. He also described what seemed like a coconut. His description
reads:
"This palm produces a fruit named cocho, which is as large as the head, or thereabouts: its
first husk is green, and two fingers in thickness, in it they find certain threads, with which
they make the cords for fastening their boats. Under this husk, there is another very hard,
and thicker than that of a walnut. They burn this second rind, and make with it a powder
which is useful to them. Under this rind there is a white marrow of a finger's thickness, which
they eat fresh with meat and fish, as we do bread, and it has the taste of an almond, and if
anyone dried it he might make bread of it .

Pigafetta characterized the people as "very familiar and friendly" and willingly showed them
different islands and the names of these islands. The fleet went to Humunu Island
(Homonhon) and there they found what Pigafetta referred to as the "Watering Place of Good
Signs." It is in this place where Pigafetta wrote that they found the first signs of gold in the
island. They named the island with the nearby islands the archipelago of St. Lazarus. They
left the island, then on March 25th, Pigafetta recounted that they saw two ballanghai
(barangay), a long boat full of people in Mazzava/ Mazaua. The leader, who Pigafetta
referred to as the king of the ballanghai (barangay), sent his men to the ship of Magellan.
The Europeans entertained these men and gave them gifts. When the king of the barangay
offered to give Magellan a bar of gold and a chest of ginger, Magellan declined. Magellan
sent the interpreter to the king and asked for money for the needs of his ships and
expressed that he came into the islands as a friend and not as an enemy. The king
responded by giving Magellan the needed provisions of food in chinaware. Magellan
exchanged gifts of robes in Turkish fashion, red cap, and gave the people knives and
mirrors. The two then expressed their desire to become brothers. Magellan also boasted of
his men in armor who could not be struck with swords and daggers. The king was fascinated
and remarked that men in such armor could be worth one hundred of his men. Magellan
further showed the king his other weapons, helmets, and artilleries. Magellan also shared
with the king his charts and maps and shared how they found the islands.

After a few days, Magellan was introduced to the king's brother who was also a king of
another island. They went to this island and Pigafetta reported that they saw mines of gold.
The gold was abundant that parts of the ship and of the house of the second king were
made of gold. Pigafetta described this king as the most handsome of all the men that he saw
in this place. He was also adorned with silk and gold accessories like a golden dagger,
which he carried with him in a wooden polished sheath. This king was named Raia Calambu,
king of Zuluan and Calagan (Butuan and Caragua), and the first king was Raia Siagu. On
March 31st, which happened to be Easter Sunday, Magellan ordered the chaplain to preside
a Mass by the shore.

The king heard of this plan and sent two dead pigs and attended the Mass with the other
king. Pigafetta reported that both kings participated in the mass. He wrote: "...when the
offertory of the mass came, the two kings, went to kiss the cross like us, but they offered
nothing, and at the elevation of the body of our Lord they were kneeling like us. and adored
our Lord with joined hands."

After the Mass, Magellan ordered that the cross be brought with nails and crown in place.
Magellan explained that the cross, the nail, and the crown were the signs of his emperor and
that he was ordered to plant it in the places that he would reach. Magellan further explained
that the cross would be beneficial for their people because once other Spaniards saw this
cross, then they would know that they had been in this land and would not cause them
troubles, and any person who might be held captives by them would be released. The king
concurred and allowed for the cross to be planted. This Mass would go down in history as
the first Mass in the Philippines, and the cross would be the famed Magellan's Cross still
preserved at present day.

After seven days, Magellan and his men decided to move and look for islands where they
could acquire more supplies and provisions. They learned of the islands of Ceylon (Leyte),
Bohol, and Zzubu (Cebu) and intended to go there. Raia Calambu offered to pilot them in
going to Cebu, the largest and the richest of the islands. By April 7th of the same year,
Magellan and his men reached the port of Cebu. The king of Cebu, through Magellan's
interpreter, demanded that they pay tribute as it was customary, but Magellan refused.
Magellan said that he was a captain of a king himself and thus would not pay tribute to other
kings. Magellan's interpreter explained to the king of Cebu that Magellan's king was the
emperor of a great empire and that it would do them better to make friends with them than to
forge enmity. The king of Cebu consulted his council. By the next day, Magellan's men and
the king of Cebu, together with other principal men of Cebu, met in an open space. There,
the king offered a bit of his blood and demanded that Magellan do the same. Pigafetta
recounts:

"Then the king said that he was content, and as a greater sign of affection, he sent him a
little of his blood from his right arm, and wished he should do the like. Our people answered
that he would do it. Besides that, he said that all the captains who came to his country had
been accustomed to making a present to him, and he to them, and therefore they should ask
their captain if he would observe the custom. Our people answered that he would; but as the
king wished to keep up the custom, let him begin and make a present, and then the captain
would
do his duty."

The following day, Magellan spoke before the people of Cebu about peace and God.
Pigafetta reported that the people took pleasure in Magellan's speech. Magellan then
asked the people who would succeed the king after his reign and the people responded
that the eldest child of the king, who happened to be a daughter, would be the next in
line. Pigafetta also related how the people talked about, how at old age, parents were no
longer taken into account and had to follow the orders of their children as the new
leaders of the land. Magellan responded to this by saying that his faith entailed children
to render honor and obedience to their parents. Magellan preached about their faith
further and people were reportedly convinced. Pigafetta wrote that their men were
overjoyed seeing that the people wished to become Christians through their free will and
not because they were forced or intimidated.

On the 14th of April, the people gathered with the king and other principal men of the
islands. Magellan spoke to the king and encouraged him to be a good Christian by
burning all of the idols and worship the cross instead. The king of Cebu was then
baptized as a Christian. Pigafetta wrote:
"To that the king and all his people answered that thy would obey the commands of the
captain and do all that he told them. The captain took the king by the hand, and they
walked about on the scaffolding, and when he was baptized he said that he would name
him Don Charles (Carlos), as the emperor his sovereign was named; and he named the
prince Don Fernand (Fernando), after the brother of the emperor, and the King of
Mazavva, Jehan: to the Moor he gave the name of Christopher, and to the others each a
name of his fancy."

After eight days, Pigafetta counted that all of the island's inhabitant were already
baptized. He admitted that they burned a village down for obeying neither the king nor
Magellan. The Mass was conducted by the shore every day. When the queen came to
the Mass one day, Magellan gave her an image of the Infant Jesus made by Pigafetta
himself. The king of Cebu swore that he would always be faithful to Magellan. When
Magellan reiterated that all of the newly baptized Christians need to burn their idols, but
the natives gave excuses telling Magellan that they needed the idols to heal a sick man
who was a relative to the king. Magellan insisted that they should instead put their faith
in Jesus Christ. They went to the sick man and baptized him. After the baptismal,
Pigafetta recorded that the man was able to speak again. He called this a miracle.

On the 26th of April, Zula, a principal man from the island of Matan (Mactan) went to see
Magellan and asked him for a boat full of men so that he would be able to fight the chief
named Silapulapu (Lapulapu). Such chief, according to Zula, refused to obey the king
and was also preventing him from doing so. Magellan offered three boats instead and
expressed his desire to go to Mactan himself to fight the said chief. Magellan's forces
arrived in Mactan in daylight. They numbered 49 in total and the islanders of Mactan
were estimated to number 1,500. The battle began. Pigafetta recounted:

"When we reached land we found the islanders fifteen hundred in number, drawn up in
three squadrons; they came down upon us with terrible shouts, two squadrons attacking
us on the flanks, and the third in front. The captain then divided his men in two bands.
Our musketeers and crossbow-men fired for half an hour from a distance, but did
nothing, since the bullets and arrows, though they passed through their shields made of
thin wood, and perhaps wounded their arms, yet did not stop them. The captain shouted
not to fire, but he was not listened to. The islanders seeing that the shots of our guns did
them little or no harm would not retire, but shouted more loudly, and springing from one
side to the other to avoid our shots, they at the same time drew nearer to us, throwing
arrows, javelins, spears hardened in fire, stones, and even mud, so that we could hardly
defend ourselves. Some of them cast lances pointed with iron at the captain-general."

Magellan died in that battle. The natives, perceiving that the bodies of the enemies were
protected with armors, aimed for their legs instead. Magellan was pierced with a
poisoned arrow in his right leg. A few of their men charged at the natives and tried to
intimidate them by burning an entire village but this only enraged the natives further.
Magellan was specifically targeted because the natives knew that he was the captain
general. Magellan was hit with a lance in the face. Magellan retaliated and pierced the
same native with his lance in the breast and tried to draw his sword but could not lift it
because of his wounded arm. Seeing that the captain has already deteriorated, more
natives came to attack him. One native with a great sword delivered a blow in Magellan's
left leg, brought him face down and the natives ceaselessly attacked Magellan with
lances, swords, and even with their bare hands.

Pigafetta also said that the king of Cebu who was baptized could have sent help but
Magellan instructed him not to join the battle and stay in the balangay so that he would
see how they fought. The king offered the people of Mactan gifts of any value and
amount in exchange of Magellan's body but the chief refused. They wanted to keep
Magellan's body as a memento of their victory.

Magellan's men elected Duarte Barbosa as the new captain. Pigafetta also told how
Magellan's slave and interpreter named Henry betrayed them and told the king of Cebu
that they intended to leave as quickly as possible. Pigafetta alleged that the slave told
the king that if he followed the slave's advice, then the king could acquire the ships and
the goods of Magellan's fleet. The two conspired and betrayed what was left of
Magellan's men. The king invited these men to a gathering where he said he would
present the jewels that he would send for the King of Spain. Pigafetta was not able to
join the twenty-four men who attended because he was nursing his battle wounds. It was
only a short time when they heard cries and lamentations. The natives had slain all of
the men except the interpreter and Juan Serrano who was already wounded. Serrano
was presented and shouted at the men in the ship asking them to pay ransom so he
would be spared. However, they refused and would not allow anyone to go to the shore.
The fleet departed and abandoned Serrano. They left Cebu and continued their journey
around the world.

Analysis of Pigafetta's Chronicle

The chronicle of Pigafetta was one of the most cited documents by historians who
wished to study the precolonial Philippines. As one of the earliest written accounts,
Pigafetta was seen as a credible source for a period, which was prior unchronicled and
undocumented. Moreover, being the earliest detailed documentation, it was believed that
Pigafetta's writings account for the "purest" precolonial society. Indeed, Pigafetta's work
is of great importance in the study and writing of Philippine history. Nevertheless, there
needs to have a more nuanced reading of the source within a contextual backdrop. A
student of history should recognize certain biases accompanying the author and his
identity, loyalties, and the circumstances that he was in; and how it affected the text that
he produced. In the case of Pigafetta, the reader needs to understand that he was a
chronicler commissioned by the King of Spain to accompany and document a voyage
intended to expand the Spanish empire. He was also of noble descent who came from a
rich family in Italy. These attributes influenced his narrative, his selection of details to be
included in the text, his characterization of the people and of the species that he
encountered, and his interpretation and retelling of the events. Being a scholar of
cartography and geography, Pigafetta was able to give details on geography and climate
of the places that their voyage had reached.
In reading Pigafetta's description of the people, one has to keep in mind that he was
coming from a sixteenth century European perspective. Hence, the reader might notice
how Pigafetta, whether implicitly or explicitly, regarded the indigenous belief systems
and way of life as inferior to that of Christianity and of the Europeans. He would always
remark on the nakedness of the natives or how he was fascinated by their exotic culture.
Pigafetta also noticeably emphasized the natives' amazement and illiteracy to the
European artillery, merchandise, and other goods, in the same way that Pigafetta
repeatedly mentioned the abundance of spices like ginger, and of precious metals like
gold. His observations and assessments of the indigenous cultures employed the
European standards. Hence, when they saw the indigenous attires of the natives,
Pigafetta saw them as being naked because from the European standpoint, they were
wearing fewer clothes indeed. Pigafetta's perspective was too narrow to realize that
such attire was only appropriate to the tropical climate of the islands. The same was true
for materials that the natives used for their houses like palm and bamboo. These
materials would let more air come through the house and compensate for the hot climate
in the islands.

It should be understood that such observations were rooted from the context of Pigafetta
and of his era. Europe, for example, was dominated by the Holy Roman Empire, whose
loyalty and purpose was the domination of the Catholic Church all over the world.
Hence, other belief systems different from that of Christianity were perceived to be
blasphemous and barbaric, even demonic. Aside from this, the sixteenth century
European economy was mercantilist. Such system measures the wealth of kingdoms
based on their accumulation of bullions or precious metals like gold and silver. It was not
surprising therefore that Pigafetta would always mention the abundance of gold in the
islands as shown in his description of leaders wearing gold rings and golden daggers,
and of the rich gold mines. An empire like that of the Spain would indeed search for new
lands where they could acquire more gold and wealth to be on top of all the European
nations. The obsession with spices might be odd for Filipinos because of its ordinariness
in the Philippines, but understanding the context would reveal that spices were scarce in
Europe and hence were seen as prestige goods. In that era, Spain and Portugal coveted
the control of Spice Islands because it would have led to a certain increase in wealth,
influence, and power. These contexts should be used and understood in order to have a
more qualified reading of Pigafetta's account.
 CONTENT ANALYSIS

This book, based on the chronicles of Italian nobleman Antonio Pigafetta, is a crucial and
credible primary source in the study of pre-colonial Philippines since it is from one who truly
witnessed the events. Pigafetta's travelogue describing Magellan's arrival encounters with
local leaders, death in the Battle of Mactan, and the departure of Magellan's fleet is a classic
reference for literary figures like William Shakespeare and Michel de Montaigne.

After his return to Italy, Pigafetta published his story, which has had a considerable impact
on historical works about the time period. Pigafetta's book includes specific information
about the travel, people, environment, and encounters with local officials in the Visayas.
Even though it is prejudiced, Pigafetta's story provides insightful information on the
perspectives of European explorers and their experiences exploring uncharted territory.

Antonio Pigafetta's travelogue describes the early interactions of European explorers with
native peoples in the Far East in great detail. He properly described their journey to the
Ladrones Islands, which today are called the Marianas Islands, and then on to Samar. He
drives his attention onto their relationships with the Philippine locals, particularly their trade
in goods, and also their customs. Magellan approached them excitedly on March 18 along
with nine local males. The indigenous gave fish, palm wine, figs, and two cochos in
exchange. Pigafetta's testimony is reliable, but it's important to recognize the influence of
cultural prejudices. Pigafetta's direct views and European perspective during the Age of
Exploration are reflected in the thorough narrative, which functions as a primary source.

In the document, the way Pigafetta’s words in the text are intended for all of the people, he
uses words that can be easily understood by the readers/audience and does not include any
bad words that can be influenced by children who read it. But in his document, he describes
the attires of the natives as naked because in his country they were wearing fewer clothes
and also mentions about the abundance of indigenous people’s foods and gold. Pigafetta’s
chronicle includes their voyage in the Philippines, in Samar to be exact and that is why his
document is an important document by all historians in the Philippines who wished to study
its history. Pigafetta’s document includes the description of Philippine natives that we,
Filipinos, do not have enough information about our ancestors. It includes the fight between
Magellan and Lapu Lapu and how Magellan died in the hands of Philippine natives and the
story behind it.

Pigafetta’s text is intended to let the reader give the information about his voyage and the
things that he sees along the journey. And to let the readers know that there are different
kinds of people around the world and there are places that we must see on our own and
explore. He includes all of the details that he experienced and sees to let the readers
understand the happenings during their voyage around the world. Aside from this, we can
identify any non-textual circumstances that affected the creation and reception of the text. It
is before the colonization of three countries in the Philippines. In the observation of
Pigafetta’s chronicle where he repeatedly mentioned about the abundance of food on one of
the islands in the Philippines and the abundance of gold where our natives don’t really know
the importance of gold in other countries. He also discussed the scarcity of goods in Europe
that led them to colonize islands and an abundance of prestige foods to increase wealth,
power, and influence.

The people of Cebu respond positively when Magellan speaks about peace and God. During
the discussion on succession, it discloses that the eldest daughter would replace the king.
Magellan talks about customs where elderly parents follow the orders of their children,
emphasizes the value of Christian honoring and obeying parents. The people in Cebu
express their desire to be converted as Christians willingly.

On April 14, Magellan went to the king and discussed burning the idols and converting to
Christianity and the king together with his people agreed to follow Magellan’s commands.
The king and other principal men are baptized and given Christian names. All inhabitants
are baptized, through a village is burned for non-compliance eight days later. Daily Masses
are conducted, and the queen receives an image of the infant Jesus. The king promises
Magellan a loyalty. Despite initial resistance, a sick man is baptized and reportedly recovers,
which is seen as a miracle

On April 26, Zula from Mactan seeks Magellan’s help against the chief Lapulapu. Magellan
decides to lead the fight himself, arriving in Mactan with 49 men against 1,500 islanders.
The battle tactics and sequence of events during the battle are detailed. Magellan is targeted
and eventually killed by the natives.

Pigafetta recorded the geographic course of this expedition including aspects on climate and
places visited. The people he interacted with are described in their entirety, showing their
ways of life, dressing, and religious beliefs. For instance, Europeans brought astonishment
upon them due to their technological advancement whereas there was enough supply of
aromatic spices as well as precious metals such as gold that were very important to
Europeans.

To summarize, Antonio Pigafetta’s travel account can be considered a primary and credible
source of our history. In his work, he talked about their travels, the life of Magellan and how
he died at the hands of local natives. His work influenced various notable individuals and it
is considered a historical classic up to this day.
 CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS

Antonio Pigafetta, the author, is an Italian nobleman and a scholar during the 16th century.
He joined Magellan’s journey across the globe to find new trade routes and territories. His
work is considered a primary source since he witnessed and experienced the events himself.
His travelogue includes Magellan’s arrival in the Philippines, how he interacted with the
people. his death, as well as how they left the Philippines. The influence it had on notable
and intellectual individuals like Shakespeare, Montaigne, and Vico just shows how logical
and factual Pigafetta’s work is.

He then presented the culturally biased picture of precolonial European sentiments in the
Age of Exploration in the Philippines, emphasizing the prejudice and curiosity of the period.
Pigafetta's remarks, which include referring to the people living on the Ladrones Islands as
"great thieves," show the cultural perspective he used to understand his experiences. To
comprehend the underlying prejudices and the fabrication of historical narratives, one must
acknowledge the context of Pigafetta's creation..

Magellan’s voyage vastly leads the geographical knowledge of mankind and proves once
and for all that the Earth is round. Since his discovery of the Philippines, it broadened the
archipelago into the awareness that Europeans paved the way to Spanish colonization and
civilization. The socio -economic status improved Pigafetta’s narration about the Philippines,
it tells us about the culture and languages that we all had in our past.

On March 16, 1521, Magellan and his team arrived in the islands of Philippines or what they
called the islands of Ladroni riding the ship Victoria. They first reached the land of Zamal
(Samar). There came some natives giving signs of joy for the presence of the crew of
Magellan. The native Filipinos did welcome the foreigners warmly and as described by
Pigafetta, “they exhibited great signs of pleasure at seeing us.”

Magellan succeeded in his plan to influence the faith of people in the island he had
conquered, including ours. The native Filipinos have their own idols before and a God which
they called “Abba” but they threw this belief away as they embraced Christianity which was
introduced by Magellan. The first mass in our country happened on the last of March, and
the first cross was then set up in Mazua (Limasawa) as wished by Magellan for the benefits
of the natives.

Magellan and his crew went to Zubu (Cebu) on April 7, upon hearing good reports from the
King of Mazua. They are not immediately warmly welcomed for they are asked to pay tribute
but Magellan refused to do so. There were negotiations through a notary where the King of
Zubu asked for a drop of their drops of blood as a sign of their friendship, and both agreed.

Natives are known to be friendly and hospitable. The guests were treated fairly, and they
had been welcomed to a feast. The document demonstrated how, while being cut off from
civilization, their practices differed, but they still treated others fairly. Introducing and
adopting culture, i.e., Christianity in the Philippines.

Magellan’s mission includes spreading Christianity, indicative of the period’s European

colonial and religious expansion. The willing conversion of the Cebuano people contrasts
with the violence inflicted on non-compliant villagers, reflecting the complex dynamics of
voluntary and forced conversions.

The cultural norms of Cebu regarding leadership succession and treatment of the elderly
highlight differences between indigenous customs and European Christian values.
Magellan’s insistence on burning idols and relying on Jesus Christ for healing underscores
the European disregard for local religious practices.

The Battle of Mactan illustrates the resistance faced by European explorers from indigenous
populations. The tactical details of the battle and Magellan’s death emphasize the
challenges of imposing foreign control over local leaders like Lapulapu

Magellan’s death signifies a pivotal moment in the expedition, affecting the morale and
direction of the remaining crew. The narrative portrays Magellan as a committed leader to
his faith and mission, but also highlights the fatal consequences of underestimating local
resistance.

He would likely have regarded indigenous cultures as being inferior to European ones and
so he has concentrated on how they reacted towards the items from Europe and illustrated
their way of life using an eye of Europeans. For example, clothing worn by natives were
described as nakedness because they were different from those found in Europe yet
Pigafetta never thought about the nature that dictated what people should wear. Pigafetta
saw non-Christian acts negatively because the Catholic Church was powerful in Europe.
Furthermore, mercantilism which is an economic system that valued precious metals
explains why Pigafetta focused on gold and expressed his astonishment at the abundance of
spices which were rare and expensive in Europe. These details provide valuable insights
into pre- colonial Philippine society and the economic motivations behind European
exploration during that era.