Magisterial Lectures | Olivia Anne M Habana, PhD - Finding the Prehispanic Filipino Woman

Summary

This video script explores the life of prehispanic Filipino women, highlighting their roles in society, economy, and spiritual life. Drawing from epics, artifacts, and Spanish chronicles, it reveals women as prominent leaders, healers, and weavers with significant autonomy. The script challenges colonial narratives, showing a society where women enjoyed sexual freedom and economic independence, contrasting sharply with Spanish ideals of the time.

Takeaways

• 📚 The study of prehispanic Philippine history, particularly the role of women, is a burgeoning field of knowledge.
• 🎭 Epics are considered a pure source of Filipino culture and provide a baseline for understanding the roles of women in the prehispanic era.
• 🌟 Women in prehispanic Philippines were prominent characters in epics, reflecting the egalitarian nature of Austronesian societies.
• 👩‍🦱 Women held various roles such as spiritual specialists, healers, historians, weavers, and leaders within their communities.
• 🗝️ Artifacts, relics, and the study of indigenous peoples today offer insights into the lives of prehispanic Filipino women.
• 📜 Spanish documents from early colonization provide an account of women's roles, though influenced by the colonizers' perspectives.
• 👗 Women's attire and physical attributes were noted by Spanish chroniclers, who observed similarities between men and women in appearance.
• 💃 Women enjoyed freedom of movement, commerce, and social interaction, which contrasted with Spanish norms.
• 🧶 Weaving was a significant economic activity for women, with their products being valuable and their skills esteemed.
• 🌐 Spiritual roles as babalanese and catalonians were important for decision-making in prehispanic societies.
• 💍 The practice of dowry in prehispanic Philippines was the opposite of Western norms, reflecting a different social structure and the value placed on women.
• 🤝 The dissolution of marriage and the division of property were common and regulated by customary practices, indicating a different approach to marital relations.

Q & A

What is the significance of studying the prehispanic era in Philippine history?

Studying the prehispanic era provides insights into the early Filipino culture and society, including the roles and status of women, before the influence of colonization.

Why are epics considered a good source for understanding the prehispanic Filipino woman?

Epics are seen as a representation of ostensibly pure Filipino culture, offering a baseline to compare and understand the roles and status of women in prehispanic societies.

What roles did women play in the spiritual and religious aspects of prehispanic Filipino societies?

Women often served as spiritual specialists, healers, and keepers of history, with some being babalanese and catalonians, which were roles of significant importance and influence in their communities.

How did the physical appearance and attire of prehispanic Filipino women differ from the Spanish perception?

Prehispanic Filipino women had long black hair, wore similar clothes and adornments to men, and their attire included abbreviated skirts and various accessories, which were subject to Spanish moralizing due to cultural differences.

What economic roles did women have in early Philippine societies?

Women played important economic roles, including working in rice fields, as fisher folk, traders, and having economic autonomy, with some even owning slaves.

How did the dowry practice in prehispanic Philippines differ from the Western concept?

In prehispanic Philippines, the dowry was given by the groom to the woman's parents, unlike the Western concept where it is brought by the bride to be enjoyed by the husband.

What was the significance of weaving and needlework in the lives of prehispanic Filipino women?

Weaving and needlework were valuable skills esteemed in society, and the products created by women were important economic contributions to their communities.

How did the Spanish chroniclers perceive the social and marital practices of prehispanic Filipino women?

Spanish chroniclers were surprised by the relative mobility, agency, and sexual freedom of Filipino women, which contrasted with Spanish norms and ideals.

What were the reactions of Spanish authorities to the roles of women as spiritual leaders in prehispanic Filipino societies?

Spanish authorities were often critical and sought to suppress the roles of women as spiritual leaders, such as babailan and catalonians, viewing them as competitors to the Spanish clergy.

How did the Spanish chroniclers document the dissolution of marriage in prehispanic Filipino societies?

The chroniclers noted that marriages could be easily dissolved for slight causes, with property division mediated by elders and customary practices, which was in stark contrast to Spanish norms.

Why is it important to study the prehispanic Filipino woman today?

Studying the prehispanic Filipino woman helps to understand the historical continuities, changes, and transformations in Philippine society, especially in the context of gender roles and societal norms.