The Kingdom of Namayan, Pre - Colonial Historic Philippines

Summary

In this engaging video, Marty explores the prehistoric kingdom of Namayan in the Philippines, tracing its roots from the Upper Pleistocene era to its peak in the 12th century. He discusses the archaeological findings, including the Laguna Copper Plate Inscription, which marks the beginning of written records in Philippine history. The kingdom was notable for its trade connections with merchants from various regions, and its complex social structure organized into barangays. Marty highlights the cultural significance of Namayan and its role in shaping the early Filipino identity, concluding with a quote from Mahatma Gandhi about the essence of a nation's culture.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Kingdom of Namayan is a significant prehistoric entity in the Philippines, dating back to around 20,000 BCE.
• 🗿 Artifacts from the Philippine National Museum, such as the Laguna copper plate inscription, provide evidence of early human activity and the first written records in the region.
• 📅 The first surviving written records indicate the start of early Philippine history around 980 CE.
• 🏰 Namayan thrived between 800 and 1175 CE, organizing its governance through kinship groupings and political subdivisions.
• 🌊 The kingdom was strategically located along the eastern side of the Pasig River, influencing trade and cultural interactions.
• 🛍️ Namayan engaged in international trade from the 12th to 14th centuries, primarily with merchants from China, Java, Borneo, and India.
• 📈 Historical accounts suggest that Namayan achieved its peak around 1175 CE, highlighting its importance in the region.
• 👑 The governance of Namayan involved a confederation of barangays, which played a crucial role in its political structure.
• 💡 There are discrepancies in historical texts regarding figures like Pasai, indicating the complexity of the kingdom's history.
• ❤️ The discussion concludes with the idea that a nation's culture resides in the hearts and souls of its people, reflecting the broader significance of cultural identity.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the video?

The video discusses the prehistoric event of Pilipinas and the Kingdom of Namayan in the Philippines.

What is the estimated dating for the stone age factory mentioned?

The stone age factory was carbon-dated to roughly 7,000 to 22,000 years before the Christian era.

What significant period does the cave level in the video represent?

The earlier cave level represents upper Pleistocene dates of approximately 45,000 to 50,000 years ago.

Which peoples are believed to have originated from the Astonishians mentioned?

The Astonishians are believed to be ancestors of modern Malay, Indonesian, Filipino, and Pacific peoples.

What is the significance of the Laguna Copperplate inscription?

The Laguna Copperplate inscription is considered one of the first surviving written records from the Philippines, dating back to around 980 CE.

What role did the Kingdom of Namayan play in early Philippine history?

Namayan was one of the three major kingdoms that dominated the area along the Pasig River and was known for organizing kinship groupings into many states.

How did the Kingdom of Namayan achieve its peak?

The Kingdom of Namayan is said to have reached its peak around 1175, during which it thrived as a confederation of barangays engaged in trade.

What external influences impacted the Kingdom of Namayan?

The Bruneians and the Melakans established trade and political alliances with Namayan, influencing its economy and governance.

Who was Friar Felix Huerta, and what did he contribute?

Friar Felix Huerta was a Spanish Franciscan scholar who provided a detailed account of Namayan's administrative area in his record of the histories of Catholic parishes during the Spanish period.

What is the modern-day significance of Pasay mentioned in the video?

Pasay, which was historically linked to the Kingdom of Namayan, is now known as a district of Santa Ana and is notable for the Santa Ana Church, founded in 1578.