Pre-colonial Philippine Names used by Indigenous Group

Summary

Before Spanish colonization, the Philippine archipelago was known by various names reflecting its rich maritime history and cultural diversity. Ancient Filipinos were skilled traders with Indian scholars referring to the region as 'Panyupa Yana,' meaning 'land surrounded by water.' The region was also known as 'Sealand' by Arab travelers and 'Tawalisi' for its prosperous kingdom. Pre-colonial Philippines was home to powerful kingdoms like 'Mayu' and 'Tondo,' with 'Pangaasinan' being a significant trade hub. The indigenous Lumid people called the Philippines 'Kudeiwan,' symbolizing abundance, a term revived in the 1980s to celebrate their culture.

Takeaways

• 🗺️ Before the Spanish arrival, the Philippines was not unified under one name; it was home to various indigenous groups with their own languages and cultures.
• 🏝️ The term 'Panyupa Yana' from Sanskrit, meaning 'land surrounded by water', was used by Indian scholars to describe the Philippines due to its many islands.
• 👳‍♂️ Indian traders engaged in trade with ancient Filipinos, who were known for their exceptional maritime trading skills.
• 🌊 The term 'Silangan' was used by the Malay people to refer to the eastern part of the Philippines, indicating its location in Southeast Asia.
• 🛶 The Sama Bajau people, known for their seafaring lifestyle, used the term 'Tawali' to describe the Philippine islands, meaning 'wandering people of the sea'.
• 🏰 'Mayu' or 'Mai' was a wealthy kingdom in the South China Sea, known for trade in gold, pearls, and other goods.
• 👑 The Tagalog people referred to their land as 'Kaharian nang Tando', a powerful kingdom that was a major trading hub and later became Manila.
• 🛍️ The Kingdom of Pangasinan was a significant trading center where goods from China, Japan, and Southeast Asia were exchanged.
• 📜 The Pangasinan people had a script called 'Babayin', indicating a rich culture and value for learning.
• 🏔️ For the Mangyan people, Mount Banaha was a sacred place, believed to be the dwelling of gods and a source of life and abundance.
• 🌾 The Lumad people referred to the Philippines as 'Kudeiwan', meaning 'abundance', reflecting their belief in the land's prosperity.
• 🎉 The word 'Karawan' was revived in the 1980s by the Lumad people to celebrate their culture and heritage through the Catawan festival.

Q & A

What was the situation of the Philippines before the arrival of the Spanish?

Before the arrival of the Spanish, there was no unified name for the entire archipelago. The islands were inhabited by various indigenous groups each with their own languages, cultures, and names for their respective territories.

What does the term 'Panyupa Yana' mean and who used it?

The term 'Panyupa Yana' is an ancient Sanskrit term meaning 'land surrounded by water'. It was used by Indian scholars due to the Philippines' abundance of islands surrounded by water.

Who was Aryabata and how did he describe the Philippines?

Aryabata was an astronomer and mathematician who lived in the second century AD. He mentioned 'Panyupa Yana' in his astronomical treatise and described it as a land of golden spices located in the eastern seas.

What is the meaning behind the term 'Silangan' and which ethnic group used it?

The term 'Silangan' originates from the Malay word, which translates to 'East'. It was used by the major ethnic groups in Southeast Asia, specifically the Malay people, because the Philippines is located in the eastern part of Southeast Asia.

What does the term 'Tawalisi' refer to and who used it?

The term 'Tawalisi' comes from the Sama Bajau language and refers to a prosperous and influential kingdom. It was mentioned by Ibn Batuta, a Moroccan traveler who visited the Philippines in the 14th century.

What was the significance of the kingdom of Mayu or Mai in the pre-colonial Philippines?

The kingdom of Mayu or Mai was a wealthy and important trade kingdom known for its trade in gold, pearls, and other goods. It was a significant player in the South China Sea trade.

What was the Tagalog people's term for their land and what does it mean?

The Tagalog people called their land 'Kaharian nang Tando' or 'Kingdom of Tondo'. This major kingdom existed from the 10th to the 16th centuries and was located in the area that is now Manila.

How did the Kingdom of Tondo maintain its independence before the Spanish conquest?

The Kingdom of Tondo was ruled by powerful kings like Lakandula, who was known for his military prowess and diplomatic skills. He was able to maintain Tondo's independence and even managed to forge an alliance with the Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.

What was the Kingdom of Pangasinan known for and how did it contribute to the region's prosperity?

The Kingdom of Pangasinan was known for being a bustling hub of commerce where goods from China, Japan, and Southeast Asia were traded. It brought wealth to the kingdom and had a rich culture that valued learning.

What is the significance of Mount Banaha to the Mangyan people?

For the Mangyan people, Mount Banaha was not just an ordinary mountain; it was considered the dwelling place of the gods and held great importance in their culture. They believed that the mountain provided them with life and abundance.

How did the Lumad people perceive the Philippines before the Spanish arrival and what term did they use?

The Lumad people perceived the Philippines as a land of abundance and prosperity. They called it 'Kudeiwan' in their language, which means abundance or prosperity.