Filipino Invasion of China? A Forgotten History of the South China Sea 🇵🇭🇨🇳

Summary

This historical exploration delves into the fierce Visayans, indigenous islanders from the central Philippines, known as 'Pisho' to ancient Chinese chroniclers. The script narrates their violent raids on southern China during the late 12th to early 13th centuries, driven by the quest for metals, slaves, and conquest. It discusses their maritime prowess, cultural diversity, and the enduring impact of their raids, reflecting on how history's currents can bring both conflict and unity.

Takeaways

• 📜 The script tells a historical tale of the 'Piya' or 'Pisho', a people from the Visayan Islands in the Philippines, known for their piracy in the South China Sea during the 13th century.
• 🏺 The Visayans were described as a marauding force, likened to 'naked beasts' by Chinese chroniclers, who attacked the southern coast of China in large numbers.
• 🗡️ The primary motives behind the Visayans' raids were the acquisition of slaves, metals, and other goods, which were scarce in their homeland.
• 🌊 The Visayans were skilled seafarers with a deep understanding of ocean currents and tides, which facilitated their extensive maritime activities.
• 🚢 They sailed in 'kakoas', indigenous dragon ships, which might have been sophisticated trading boats called 'balanga', and not necessarily warships.
• 🔥 The period of most intense Visayan raids on China was from 1174 to 1190, during which they established a naval base on the island of Formosa (now Taiwan).
• ⚔️ The Jin Dynasty in China eventually quelled the Visayan raids through concerted efforts to protect the coastline, diminishing the cost-benefit for the Visayans to continue.
• 📚 Chinese chroniclers like Xia Ruko provided vivid accounts of the Visayans' ferocity, but these descriptions should be considered with an awareness of potential bias.
• 🌐 The Visayans' legacy as both warriors and explorers is a testament to their audacity and the human spirit of exploration, which continues to resonate in the collective memory.
• 🌟 The script encourages reflection on the historical context of the Visayans' actions and draws parallels to current geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea.

Q & A

Who were the 'pya' or 'pisho' mentioned in the script?

The 'pya' or 'pisho' were a people known for their marauding activities, specifically identified as the Visayans, who were indigenous island dwellers from what is now Central Philippines, known as the Visayas.

What was the nature of the Visayans' activities in the South China Sea during the 13th century?

The Visayans were involved in unbridled piracy, attacking coastal areas of southern China, engaging in slave raids, kidnapping, and according to some chronicles, even cannibalism and mass murder.

What were the primary motivations behind the Visayans' raids on Southern China?

The primary motivations were to capture slaves for labor back in the Visayas and to acquire better and stronger metals, which were scarce in their homeland.

How did the Visayans' seafaring abilities contribute to their raids?

The Visayans had a sophisticated knowledge of ocean tides and navigation, which allowed them to traverse not only their local islands but also to distant lands like Southern China, using their indigenous dragon ships known as 'kakoas'.

What geographical variations existed among the Visayans?

There were slight ethnic differences between Visayans from different islands, such as those from Panay versus those from Siu or Leate and Samar, indicating a rich diversity within the broader Visayan identity.

How did the Chinese chroniclers of the time perceive the Visayans?

Chinese chroniclers perceived the Visayans as ferocious warriors, bloodthirsty, and violent, akin to naked beasts descending on the coastlines of southern China.

What was the timeframe of the most intense Visayan raids on Southern China?

The most intense period of Visayan raids spanned approximately 16 years, from 1174 to 1190, during which they had established a naval base on the island of Formosa, now known as Taiwan.

How did the Jin Dynasty of China respond to the Visayan raids?

The Jin Dynasty made concerted efforts to quell the raids and protect the Chinese coastline more effectively, which led to a decline in the cost-benefit analysis for the Visayans to continue their attacks.

What is the legacy of the Visayan raids as mentioned in the script?

The legacy of the Visayan raids is one of audacity, courage, and an indomitable spirit that once surged throughout the Eastern Seas. Their name remains etched in collective memory, symbolizing their role as warriors and explorers.

How does the script suggest we should view the current geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea in light of the Visayan history?

The script encourages us to reflect on the historical context and to seek common ground, navigate challenges with dialogue and cooperation, and to remember that the seas have always been a realm where the past and the present collide.