National Museum of Anthropology Virtual Tour

Summary

The National Museum of Anthropology in Manila showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines. Built in the 1940s, it houses archaeological and ethnographic collections, including the Palayok Gallery's ceramic heritage and the San Diego shipwreck artifacts. It also honors national living treasures and explores the traditions of the Bangsamoro, Lumad, and Negrito communities. The museum emphasizes the importance of rice in Filipino culture and features temporary exhibitions, offering a deep connection to the country's history and identity.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The National Museum of Anthropology is one of the four buildings in the National Museum complex in Manila, built in the 1940s during the American colonial regime.
• 🎨 The museum's design was inspired by Daniel Burnham's plan for Manila, which aimed to connect key monuments and public buildings through a system of roads and rotundas.
• 💥 The museum suffered damage during World War II, but was later rebuilt and occupied by the Department of Finance, earning it the name 'Finance Building'.
• 🗽 In 1998, the building was refurbished to house archaeological and ethnographic collections for the centennial celebration of the Philippine Independence.
• 🏷️ The museum was renamed the Museum of the Filipino People in 1998 and later to the National Museum of Anthropology in 2016, focusing on cultural heritage.
• 📚 The ground floor includes the museum library, research division offices, and the repository for maritime and underwater cultural heritage.
• 🏞️ The courtyard features a traditional Ifugao house, showcasing the architectural and cultural elements of the region.
• 🏺 The Palayok Gallery on the second floor presents the ceramic heritage of the Philippines, from the Neolithic period to contemporary times.
• 🚢 The 'Treasures of San Diego' exhibit highlights the Manila galleon trade during the 16th century and the recovery of artifacts from the San Diego shipwreck.
• 🏺 The Manlilikhan-Ambayan or National Living Treasures Hall honors Filipinos conferred the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan, showcasing their cultural property and contributions.
• 🌾 The 'Rice Biodiversity and Climate Change' exhibition emphasizes the importance of rice in Filipino culture and the country's efforts towards self-reliance in rice production.

Q & A

When was the National Museum of Anthropology in Manila built?

The National Museum of Anthropology was built in the 1940s during the American colonial regime.

Who was the architect behind the design of the National Museum of Anthropology?

The architect behind the design of the National Museum of Anthropology was Anton Toledo from the Bureau of Public Works.

What was the inspiration behind the design of the museum?

The design was inspired by Daniel Burnham's plan for Manila, which was based on the American concept of connecting key monuments and public buildings through a system of roads and rotundas.

How did World War II affect the National Museum of Anthropology?

The museum, being barely finished, was heavily bombed during World War II, and the collections were damaged and burned.

What was the building used for after the war until it became part of the National Museum?

After the war, the building was rebuilt and occupied by the Department of Finance, thus it was known as the Finance Building.

When was the building refurbished to house the National Museum of Anthropology?

The building was refurbished in 1998 to house the archaeological and ethnographic collections of the National Museum of the Philippines.

What is the significance of the traditional effigal house in the museum's courtyard?

The traditional effigal house in the courtyard is from the municipality of Mayawa in the province of Ifugao and represents the cultural heritage of the region.

What types of ceramics are showcased in the Palayok Gallery?

The Palayok Gallery showcases a range of ceramics from the earliest appearance of pottery in the Neolithic period to modern times, including earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain.

What is the significance of the San Diego shipwreck in the museum's collection?

The San Diego shipwreck is significant as it provides evidence of the Manila galleon trade during the 16th century, and the artifacts recovered from it, such as Chinese blue and white ceramics and the gold seal of Antonio de Morga, authenticate its identity.

How does the Manlily Khannang Ambayan Hall contribute to Philippine culture?

The Manlily Khannang Ambayan Hall honors Filipinos conferred the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan, showcasing their masterpieces and emphasizing the importance of their work as a significant cultural property.

What does the exhibition 'Faith Tradition and Place' explore?

The exhibition 'Faith Tradition and Place' explores the rich cultural heritage of the Islamic groups in the southern Philippines and their interconnection within Islamic and Southeast Asian traditions.

Outlines

00:00

🏛️ History and Cultural Heritage of the National Museum of Anthropology

The National Museum of Anthropology, located in Manila, is part of the national museum complex and was constructed in the 1940s during the American colonial period. The building, designed by architect Anton Toledo, was inspired by Daniel Burnham's urban planning principles, aiming to connect key public buildings and monuments. Despite being damaged during World War II, it was later rebuilt and housed the Department of Finance before being refurbished to display archaeological and ethnographic collections for the Philippine Independence centennial in 1998. Renamed in 2016, the museum focuses on archaeological, maritime, and ethnographic collections, with exhibits ranging from traditional ceramics to the Manila galleon trade, showcasing the rich cultural tapestry of the Philippines.

05:00

🎨 Art, Tradition, and Cultural Preservation in the Philippines

The National Museum of Anthropology honors Filipino artisans and cultural heritage through various exhibits. The 'Manlily Khannang Bayan' hall celebrates national living treasures, while the 'Faith, Tradition, and Place' exhibition delves into the Islamic groups' cultural heritage in the southern Philippines. The 'Lumad Mindanao' exhibit explores the material cultures of the Lumad groups and their connection to the natural resources of Mindanao. 'Archaeological Treasures' presents secondary burial vessels and grave goods, while 'Bia Tradition' focuses on the Negrito communities' deep connection with nature. The museum also highlights early writing systems and the artistry of Philippine textiles, showcasing the diversity and richness of the country's cultural traditions.

10:02

🌾 Textiles, Rice, and Cultural Practices in the Philippines

This section of the museum emphasizes the importance of textiles and rice in Filipino culture. It showcases traditional textiles from various indigenous communities, highlighting the materials, weaving techniques, and functions of these fabrics. The 'Rice Biodiversity and Climate Change' exhibition underscores the significance of rice in Filipino life, from scientific and traditional knowledge perspectives to its role in rituals and daily activities. The museum also features temporary exhibitions, such as 'Tadawen,' which documents pre-Islamic rituals and traditional practices in Tawi-Tawi, reflecting the confluence of indigenous and Islamic beliefs. The museum encourages visitors to explore the complex and its regional branches to gain a deeper understanding of the Philippines' cultural diversity.

Keywords

💡National Museum of Anthropology

The National Museum of Anthropology is one of the four buildings in the National Museum complex in Manila, Philippines. It was built in the 1940s during the American colonial regime and is dedicated to showcasing the archaeological, maritime, and underwater cultural heritage, as well as ethnographic collections. The museum plays a significant role in the video's narrative by providing a comprehensive understanding of the Filipino cultural heritage and identity.

💡Burnham Plan

The Burnham Plan refers to the urban design concept for Manila, which was inspired by Daniel Burnham's vision. It aimed to connect key monuments and public buildings through a system of roads and rotundas, creating an extended park with views of Manila Bay and a government center. This plan is mentioned in the script as the architectural inspiration for the museum, reflecting the historical and cultural significance of the building's design.

💡World War II

World War II is a central historical event that had a profound impact on the museum, as it was barely finished when the war began. The heavy bombing during the liberation of Manila damaged the museum's collections. This keyword is crucial as it contextualizes the museum's history and the challenges it faced, highlighting the resilience and rebuilding efforts post-war.

💡Cultural Heritage

Cultural heritage is a recurring theme in the video, emphasizing the importance of preserving and showcasing the traditions, history, and artifacts that define the Filipino identity. The museum's exhibitions are designed to give visitors a deep sense of pride in their cultural identity, making this concept central to the video's message about the significance of the museum.

💡Palayok Gallery

The Palayok Gallery within the museum is dedicated to the ceramic heritage of the Philippines, showcasing the evolution of pottery from the Neolithic period to modern times. This gallery is a key example of how the museum preserves and presents the cultural heritage, highlighting the craftsmanship of early communities and the role of ceramics in Filipino culture.

💡Manila Galleon Trade

The Manila Galleon Trade was a significant economic and cultural exchange during the 16th century, connecting the Philippines to Acapulco, Mexico. The script mentions the San Diego, a galleon that sank during this trade, and the recovery of its artifacts, which are now displayed in the museum. This keyword illustrates the historical trade connections and the museum's role in preserving maritime history.

💡National Living Treasures Hall

The National Living Treasures Hall honors Filipinos who have been conferred the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan, a prestigious award for cultural artists. The hall exhibits their masterpieces, emphasizing the importance of传承 and the preservation of traditional arts and crafts. This concept is integral to the video's theme of celebrating and preserving cultural heritage.

💡Bangsamoro Art

Bangsamoro Art represents the cultural heritage of the Islamic groups in the southern Philippines. The video discusses how this art form is interconnected within the context of Islamic and Southeast Asian traditions, showcasing the region's ornate decorations and ornaments. This keyword is significant as it highlights the diversity and richness of Filipino cultural heritage.

💡Lumad Mindanao

Lumad Mindanao refers to the material cultures of the 13 Lumad groups in the southern Philippines. The video explores the significance of Mindanao's natural resources to the Lumad identity and their cultural practices. This keyword is important as it represents the indigenous groups and their deep connection to the land and its resources.

💡Archaeological Treasures

Archaeological Treasures, or Kabandang Lahi, is an exhibition that features secondary burial vessels and grave goods recovered from various cave sites in the Philippines. This keyword is central to the video's theme of showcasing the archaeological findings that provide insights into ancient Filipino beliefs and practices.

💡Philippine Negrito Communities

Philippine Negrito Communities are indigenous groups in the Philippines known for their deep connections with nature, as reflected in their material culture. The video discusses how these communities have adapted to environmental changes and their cultural practices. This keyword is significant as it represents the indigenous knowledge and the sustainable relationship with the environment.

Highlights

The National Museum of Anthropology is one of the four buildings in the National Museum complex in Manila.

Inspired by Daniel Burnham's design, the museum complex connects key monuments and public buildings.

The building was completed in the 1940s during the American colonial regime under architect Anton Toledo.

World War II saw the museum complex heavily bombed, damaging the collections.

Post-war, the building was rebuilt and initially occupied by the Department of Finance, hence its former name, the Finance Building.

In 1998, it was refurbished to house archaeological and ethnographic collections for the Philippine Independence centennial.

The museum was renamed the National Museum of Anthropology in 2016, focusing on cultural heritage.

The ground floor includes the museum library, research division offices, and the maritime cultural heritage repository.

A traditional Ifugao house is displayed in the courtyard, representing regional architecture.

The Palayok Gallery on the second floor presents the ceramic heritage of the Philippines from Neolithic to modern times.

The museum showcases three ceramics declared as national cultural treasures.

The Treasures of San Diego exhibit provides evidence of the Manila galleon trade during the 16th century.

The Manlilikhan ng Bayan hall honors Filipinos conferred the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan for their cultural property.

The exhibition 'Faith, Tradition, and Place' explores the cultural heritage of Islamic groups in the southern Philippines.

The 'Lumad Mindanao' exhibit features the material cultures of 13 Lumad groups and their connection to nature.

The 'Archaeological Treasures' or Kabandang Lahi exhibit displays secondary burial vessels and grave goods.

The 'Bia Tradition, Ecology, and Knowledge' gallery focuses on the Negrito communities' connection with nature.

The 'Entwined Spheres' exhibition honors local basket weavers and hat makers, showcasing their cultural significance.

The 'Baybayin' exhibit promotes awareness of ancient Filipino writing systems used from the Laguna Copper Plate to modern times.

The 'Filipino Textiles' gallery showcases the artistry of traditional textiles from various indigenous communities.

The 'Rice Biodiversity and Climate Change' exhibition highlights the importance of rice in Filipino culture and science.

The 'Tadawen' photo exhibition documents pre-Islamic rituals and traditional practices in Tawi-Tawi.

Transcripts

[Music]

welcome to the national museum of

anthropology

one of the four buildings in the

national museum complex in manila

the national museum of anthropology was

built in the 1940s

during the american colonial regime

under architect anton toledo of the

bureau of public works

it was inspired by the design of daniel

birnham for manila

which was based on the american concept

of connecting key monuments and public

buildings

by a system of roads and rotundas the

burnham plan

includes an extended park with views of

manila bay

and a government center

[Music]

the building was barely finished when

world war ii begun

the three buildings in the national

museum complex were not spared from the

heavy bombing

during the last days of the campaign to

liberate manila

the collections of the museum were

damaged and burned from the wreckage

after the war the building was rebuilt

and occupied by the department of

finance

thus it became known as the finance

building in 1998

it was refurbished to house the

archaeological and ethnographic

collections of the national museum of

the philippines

in time for the centennial celebration

of the declaration of philippine

independence

named as the museum of the filipino

people it was open to the public

in june 1998 the exhibitions focused on

cultural heritage

giving a deep sense of pride in our

identity as filipinos

it was renamed as the national museum of

anthropology in 2016.

the building was dedicated for the

archaeological maritime and underwater

cultural heritage

and ethnographic collections the ground

floor houses the museum library

the offices of the research divisions

and the repository of the maritime

and underwater cultural heritage

division

in the courtyard is a traditional

effigal house from the municipality of

mayawa

in the province of ifagao the

exhibitions are located on the second

third and fourth floors the fifth floor

serves as the repository of the national

ethnographic collection

and the shared laboratory of the three

research divisions

the main entrance of the national museum

of anthropology is the marble hall

facing the agrifina or the agriculture

and finance circle

it serves as an orientation area for

viewers in the function hall for special

events and locations

the building has 15 permanent

exhibitions starting at the second

level is the palayok gallery

palayok the ceramic heritage of the

philippines presents the ceramic

tradition of the philippine islands from

the earliest appearance of pottery in

the neolithic period or new stone age

to modern or contemporary times it

features the range of ceramics recovered

from different archaeological sites in

batanas

the northernmost island in luzon to

surangani in mindanao

it highlights the craftsmanship of early

communities and the significant

role of ceramics in our culture

among the significant collections

showcase in the exhibition are three

ceramics declared as national

cultural treasures like a regular burial

jar from maitum in sarangani

the blue and white plate with flying

elephant design from lana shoal

shipwreck site in palawan

and the celadon light green blaze jar

from marinduke

these also represent the three common

types of ceramics comprised of

earthenware

stoneware and porcelain found in

archaeological sites

these ceramics vary in the type of clay

used and basically in the firing

temperature

earthenware is fired at about 800

degrees celsius to 1200 degrees celsius

stoneware between 1200 degrees celsius

to 1400 degrees celsius

and porcelain above 1400 degrees celsius

[Music]

still on the second level is the

treasures of san diego

an evidence of the manila galleon trade

during the 16th century common era

the san diego was originally used for

trade from the philippines to acapulco

and mexico and vice versa

it was converted into a warship against

the dutch naval fleet

unfortunately it sank near fortune

island in nasa gupatangas

on december 14 1600 after a naval

engagement with mauritius

the dutch flagship among the reasons for

the misfortune of the san diego

is attributed to the lack of experience

in maritime affairs of its captain

lieutenant general antonio de morga and

the overloaded cargo

ship could only accommodate 700 tons but

it was loaded with 1

500 tons when it was converted into a

battleship

more than 35 000 large and small objects

were covered from the wreck in 1992 and

1993

including more than 800 jars and over

5000 chinese

blue and white ceramics the gold seal of

antonio de morga

which was recovered from the site

authenticated the identity of san diego

this was recorded in his book success de

las islas filipinas

or historical events of the philippine

islands published in 1609 and annotated

by dr

jose rizal

[Music]

the manlily khannan cannonbaion or

national living treasures hall

honors the sixteen filipinos who were

conferred the gowan summer in

likandembayan

from 1993 to 2016 by presenting their

masterpieces

the work of a manily khan ambayan is

presumed to be an important cultural

property

second to the national cultural treasure

the highest category of cultural

property

a manulicanambayan has the

responsibility to transmit their skills

to the younger generation

and to donate a sample of their word to

the national museum of the philippines

this exhibition was made possible

through the collaboration among the

gawad samanilikanam by an executive

committee

of the national commission for culture

and the arts

office of deputy speaker and

representative loren legarda

and the national museum of the

philippines

faith tradition and place bangsamoro art

from the national ethnographic

collection

the exhibition is a visual exploration

of the rich cultural heritage of the

islamic groups in the southern

philippines

and how they are interconnected within

the context of islamic and southeast

asian traditions

it features the material cultures of the

region known for their ornate

decorations and ornaments

in various social economic political and

ritual contexts

bangsamoro is derived from the term

bangsa which means

nation and moral as a spanish

appellation to all muslims in southern

philippines

lumad mindanao features the material

cultures of the 13 lumad groups

represented in the national ethnographic

collection it explores the significance

of mindanao natural research and

resources to limit identity

as well as their experiences and

establish ties with neighbouring groups

specifically the muslims through the

years

lumad is a visayan term which means born

from the earth

there are non-muslim groups in southern

philippines who nurture and are nurtured

by mindanao's rich natural and cultural

heritage

as manifested in their traditions and

practices

the archaeological treasures or

kabandang lahi showcases the secondary

burial vessels

such as burial jars limestone urns

wooden coffins

and associated grave goods recovered

from different cave sites in the

philippines

secondary burial practice involves the

rebirth of skeletal remains with

corresponding ritual

the exhibition highlights some of the

declared national cultural treasures of

the philippines

such as the complete anthropomorphic jar

recovered from ayub cave

in maitum sarangani the famous manongo

jar from lipuan point in quezon palawan

and the lataleta joint from el nido also

in palawan

the banango jar depicts the earliest

evidence of ancient filipino belief in

the afterlife

as represented by the two prominent

figures on the top cover

while the letter letter charlotte is

probably an example of offering during

rituals

bia tradition ecology and knowledge

among the philippine negrito communities

bi is an ita term for life this gallery

features the national ethnographic

collection

gathered from the negrita communities in

eastern and central luzon

palawan palai island in the visayas and

bamanoa in mindanao from 1903 to present

the exhibition provides an overview of

the previous studies and documentation

by early ethnographers

and filipino researchers on the neglita

groups

it presents their direct and deep

connections with nature

as reflected in their material culture

and shows their current saturation

amidst the degradation and annual

thinning of their home

the rainforest this gallery highlights

the skullcap retrieved in the 1960s

during an archaeological excavation in

tambung cave in quezon palawan

it is the earliest skull cap of a modern

human found in the philippines

another highlight is the fossilized

striped tibia which was also collected

from the tambon cave in 2000

it is one of the earliest human remains

found in the philippines

now it is believed that the oldest

evidence which dates to six to seven

thousand years ago

was discovered at the lau cave in

cadayan

on the fourth floor are the thematic

exhibitions starting with

entwined spheres baskets and mats as

containers conveyors and costumes

the exhibition acknowledges and honors

local basket met

and hat beavers in the different regions

of the country

it highlights the significance of

baskets and mats as part of both

tangible and intangible filipino

cultural heritage

through the different materials

techniques and designs

as entwined in their functions as

accessories and costumes

as containers of both secular and sacred

objects

and as conveyors in fishing agriculture

as well as in most daily activities

this exhibition features and promotes

the awareness of the early writing

systems used by ancient filipinos

as demonstrated from the earliest

artifacts such as the laguna copper

plate

the kalatakan pot and the monreal stones

to archival materials like legal

documents and published books

during the spanish colonial era and the

ethnographic objects used by the

indigenous communities in windows and

palawan

is also used in millenarian movements in

their amulets and talismans

and as body adornments or tattoos to

mark filipino identity

among the youth both in the philippines

and abroad

government agencies and universities

have also incorporated

by buying in their logos baebaen comes

from the root word by bai

meaning to spell it consists of 17

characters or alpha syllabic symbols of

three vowels and 14 consonants

but when combined with the vowel

modifying marks called good lips

the characters increased to 45. in the

16th century

by bind was widely used by the coastal

groups of tagalog

bisaya iloko pangasinan

bikol and pampanga this was eventually

replaced by the roman alphabet

but retained in the islands of mindoro

buhitbanga and hanunu

and palawan palawan and taglinua

until today

[Music]

filipino the artistry of philippine

textiles

this gallery showcases the traditional

textiles produced by various indigenous

and cultural communities in the

philippines

it is remarkably interesting to know how

these textiles were made the materials

used for the fibers and the technologies

used in weaving

the fabrics on display are examples of

clothing ensemble

indicating the various functions of the

textiles the gallery displays a desk

blanket called

kinotien used by the highest members of

the effigal community

known as the kandanyan and the banton

burial club

fragment the oldest known textile in the

philippines recovered from bantam island

in the province of romblon

rice biodiversity and climate change

exhibition

this features collections on rise from

the national museum and the philippine

rice research institute

and evokes rice's significance in the

filipino culture in terms of science

traditional knowledge systems and

heritage it also aims to support the

country's continuing campaign to be

self-reliant on rice

through responsible rice consumption one

section features the collection of

balloon from the province of ifugao

which are used in ceremonies associated

with rice production

the gallery also features material

cultures associated with rice

cultivation and consumption

from different ethno-linguistic groups

such as

agricultural tools baskets used in crop

care and maintenance

rice masher harvesting knife

rice wine jar mortar and winnowing trays

the last gallery on the fourth floor is

the reception room which is used for

changing or temporary exhibitions

it also serves as a lecture or function

room on exhibit from may 2021 to january

2022

is tadawen the island of pre-islamic

rituals and traditional practices in

tawitawi

the photo exhibition features 57

photographs taken by paul kembau

in tabawan island in tawitawi

documenting seven rituals that mark the

cycle of life of the samba tabawan

people

these are pangunting

[Music]

the elements in the rituals highlight

the combination of indigenous

shamanic practices with islamic beliefs

proving the confluence of cultures in

the island

as a result for centuries of contact

with peoples from neighboring countries

through trade alliances religious

evangelization

among others

on your next trip or vacation to the

philippines include in your itinerary a

day or two to visit the national museum

complex in manila

you may also check out the other 16

regional

area inside museums from botanist to

[Music]

hollow

you