Curator's Tour | Gold of Ancestors: Precolonial Treasures in the Philippines

Summary

The 'Gold of Ancestors' exhibition at Ayala Museum showcases over 1,000 gold artifacts from the 10th to 13th centuries, reflecting the rich pre-colonial cultures of the Philippines. Curated by Florina Capistrano Baker, the collection includes gold ornaments with Southeast Asian similarities, indicating shared origins. It also features unique pieces like the massive Surigao treasure chain and anthropomorphic figures with Hindu-Buddhist influences. The exhibition highlights the significance of gold in ancient Philippine society, from birth to death rituals, and invites visitors to explore and take pride in this forgotten heritage.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The exhibition at Ayala Museum showcases over 1,000 gold artifacts from the 10th to 13th centuries, highlighting the rich pre-colonial heritage of the Philippines.
• 🎨 The collection, assembled by Leandro Locsin and Cecilia Locsin, is considered by Dr. John N. Miksic as potentially the country's greatest tangible heritage, comparable to global gold collections.
• 🌐 The artifacts reflect cultural sophistication and regional connections, with similarities to Southeast Asian cultures, indicating shared prehistoric origins and inter-island engagements.
• 🔍 The 'ling lingo' and 'mamouli' omega-shaped ornaments are examples of widespread themes, with early versions traced back to 2500 BCE in Batanes, made from imported jade.
• 🏺 Gold objects like modesty covers and finger rings feature Hindu god motifs, suggesting cultural and possibly religious ties with Southeast Asia.
• 👑 The exhibition includes gold regalia that symbolized authority and prestige among pre-colonial Philippine leaders, such as the 'datu', who wore these to affirm their status.
• 🌟 The Surigao treasure, a massive gold chain weighing nearly 4 kilograms, is a standout piece, unique for its design and size, and was accidentally discovered in 1981.
• 📜 The Boxer Codex provides insights into how these gold ornaments were worn, showing pre-colonial inhabitants adorned in silk and gold, with a 300-year gap bridging the exhibition's artifacts and early contact accounts.
• 💍 Detailed descriptions by scholars like Ignacio Alcina and Antonio Pigafetta document the use of traditional jewelry, with specific cultural preferences and regional variations in ornamentation.
• 🔮 Anthropomorphic gold figures and vessels in the exhibition reveal the influence of Hindu-Buddhist beliefs, with intricate designs and motifs that echo ancient Southeast Asian and Indian art.

Q & A

Who is Florina Capistrano Baker?

Florina Capistrano Baker is the curator of the 'Gold of Ancestors' exhibition at the Ayala Museum.

What is the significance of the gold artifacts featured in the exhibition?

The gold artifacts, dated from the 10th to 13th centuries, are considered the country's greatest tangible heritage and represent the sophisticated cultures that flourished in the Philippines before Spanish colonization.

Who originally collected the gold artifacts on display?

The late National Artist for Architecture, Leandro Locsin, and his archaeologist wife Cecilia Locsin originally collected the gold artifacts.

What is the connection between the gold artifacts and Southeast Asian cultures?

The artifacts show similarities with those from other Southeast Asian cultures, affirming regional affinities and inter-island engagements that existed before sustained contact with the Western world.

What are some examples of omega-shaped ornaments found in the exhibition?

Examples of omega-shaped ornaments include the 'mamouli' known in parts of Indonesia and 'Ling lingo' in the northern Philippines.

How were the early versions of the linglingo produced?

Early versions of the linglingo were produced in Batanes as early as 2500 BCE, using imported jade from Taiwan.

What do the gold chains and waist sashes signify?

Gold chains and waist sashes, along with other gold regalia, were used by early Philippine society leaders to affirm their authority and prestige.

What is the significance of the Surigao treasure mentioned in the script?

The Surigao treasure is a massive gold chain weighing almost 4 kilograms, which is the only known example of its kind and is more than the entire gold find from the 7th Century site of Okeo in present-day Vietnam.

How does the Boxer Codex relate to the exhibition?

The Boxer Codex, dated to the late 16th century, provides watercolor images that show how pre-colonial inhabitants wore their gold ornaments, offering insights into the use of the artifacts on display.

What is the connection between the gold artifacts and Hindu-Buddhist culture?

The gold artifacts, including anthropomorphic figures and vessels, bear witness to the Hindu-Buddhist substratum of the pre-colonial past in the Philippines, with some forms recovered before the arrival of Islam and Christianity.

What role did gold play in the lives of pre-colonial Filipinos according to the exhibition?

Gold played an important role in the lives of pre-colonial Filipinos, from birth to death, and was used in rituals and as a symbol of power and wealth, ensuring a cordial welcome to the afterlife.

Outlines

00:00

🏺 Gold of Ancestors: Philippine Cultural Heritage

The 'Gold of Ancestors' exhibition at the Ayala Museum, curated by Florina Capistrano Baker, showcases over 1,000 gold artifacts dating from the 10th to 13th centuries. These were originally collected by Leandro Locsin and Cecilia Locsin, with Dr. John Miksic describing the collection as a significant heritage comparable to global gold collections. The exhibit highlights the advanced cultures of the pre-Spanish colonization Philippines, with items like omega-shaped ornaments (Ling lingo) indicating shared Southeast Asian origins. The collection also includes gold chains, waist sashes, and regalia that were symbols of authority and prestige among early Philippine leaders, such as the dato. A notable piece is a massive gold chain from the Surigao treasure, weighing nearly 4 kilograms, which is unique and heavier than the entire gold find from the 7th-century site of Ô娄 in Vietnam. The exhibit also references the Boxer Codex, providing insights into how these ornaments were worn, indicating a rich tradition of gold craftsmanship and cultural significance.

05:03

📜 Cultural Continuity and Adornments: From Past to Early Contact

Despite a 300-year gap between the gold works and 16th-century accounts like the Boxer Codex, the descriptions by Antonio Pigafetta and Jesuit missionary Father Ignacio Alcina confirm the continued use of gold jewelry into the early contact period. The exhibition details the traditional jewelry, with both men and women wearing ornaments in their ears, and larger pieces being exclusive to men. It also points out regional preferences, such as the cayunkayon earrings unique to the Visayas. The exhibit features anthropomorphic figures that reflect the Hindu-Buddhist influences in the pre-colonial past, with gold works portraying forms that were prevalent before the arrival of Islam and Christianity. Notable pieces include a gold vessel shaped like a kinari, a sheath in the form of a male figure, and a two-wheeled chariot icon related to the Hindu sun god Surya. The exhibit also discusses the archaeological evidence linking the ancient Kalinga Empire to pre-colonial Philippine cultures, suggesting a need for further research into these ancient connections.

10:03

👳‍♂️ Gold in Afterlife Beliefs and Cultural Pride

The final paragraph delves into the belief systems of ancient Filipinos, where gold was used to protect the body's spiritual openings and ensure a favorable afterlife. It describes the use of gold face masks and other accoutrements to signify elite status and power. The narrative emphasizes the enduring role of gold in the lives of ancestors, from birth to death, and its significance in the cultural identity of the Filipino people. The paragraph concludes with an invitation to visit the Ayala Museum to experience these pre-colonial treasures firsthand, encouraging a sense of pride in the recovery and remembrance of these ancient splendors. The exhibit serves as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines, with the hope of inspiring further exploration and appreciation of its forgotten pre-colonial past.

Keywords

💡Gold of Ancestors

The 'Gold of Ancestors' refers to the exhibition's title and central theme, showcasing over 1,000 gold artifacts dating from the 10th to 13th centuries in the Philippines. These artifacts are a testament to the sophisticated cultures that existed before Spanish colonization, highlighting the region's rich heritage and artistic achievements. The term encapsulates the reverence for the past and the pride in the cultural legacy left by the ancestors.

💡Austronesian Migrations

Austronesian Migrations refers to the movement of people who spoke Austronesian languages across Southeast Asia and the Pacific. In the context of the video, it is used to explain the shared cultural and linguistic ties among these people, as evidenced by similar gold artifacts like the omega-shaped ornaments. The video mentions 'Ling lingo' and 'mamouli' as examples of such artifacts, indicating a shared prehistoric origin and cultural exchange.

💡Linglingo

Linglingo is a term used by archaeologists to describe a specific type of omega-shaped gold ornament popular in the northern Philippines. The script mentions that early versions of the linglingo were produced in Batanes using imported jade from Taiwan, dating back to 2500 BCE. This term is significant as it represents the cultural and artistic achievements of the pre-colonial Filipinos and their connections with neighboring Southeast Asian cultures.

💡Hindu-Buddhist Substratum

The term 'Hindu-Buddhist Substratum' refers to the underlying cultural and religious influences from Hinduism and Buddhism that were present in the pre-colonial Philippines. The video describes gold works portraying Hindu-Buddhist forms, indicating the influence of these religions on the region's art and culture before the arrival of Islam and Christianity. Examples include anthropomorphic figures and gold vessels shaped like mythical creatures, reflecting the region's spiritual beliefs and artistic expressions.

💡Surigao Treasure

The 'Surigao Treasure' is a collection of gold artifacts accidentally recovered in 1981, including a massive gold chain weighing almost 4 kilograms. This treasure is significant as it is the only known example of its kind and is more substantial than the entire gold find from the 7th-century site of Okeo in Vietnam. The Surigao Treasure exemplifies the extraordinary craftsmanship and wealth of early Philippine societies.

💡Datu

Datu is an honorary title given to leaders in pre-colonial Philippine societies. These leaders ruled through merit and consensus earned through bravery in battle, wisdom, and wealth. The video mentions that datu wore fine garments and dazzling gold regalia to affirm their authority and prestige. The term 'datu' is integral to understanding the social structure and the importance of gold in signifying power and status in ancient Philippine societies.

💡Boxer Codex

The 'Boxer Codex' is a manuscript dated to the late 16th century that provides insights into how gold ornaments were worn by the pre-colonial inhabitants of the Philippines. The video mentions that the codex contains watercolor images of people adorned in sumptuous silk and gold, indicating the significance of gold in personal adornment and social status. The manuscript is crucial for understanding the context and usage of the gold artifacts in the exhibition.

💡Kalininga Empire

The 'Kalinga Empire' was an ancient Indian empire known for its maritime trade with Southeast Asia. The video suggests possible connections between the Kalinga Empire and pre-colonial Philippine cultures, particularly through the presence of Kalinga artifacts in the region. The empire's influence is seen in the gold chariot-shaped temple to the sun god Surya, which has similarities to the gold artifacts found in the Philippines, indicating a shared cultural and artistic heritage.

💡TaoTao or Larawan

TaoTao or Larawan refers to pre-Christian figures kept in houses to protect residents, as described in 16th-century accounts. The video mentions gold sheaths in the form of male figures that are believed to be representations of these protective figures. These artifacts are significant as they reflect the spiritual beliefs and practices of the pre-colonial Filipinos, as well as their artistic skills in creating intricate gold works.

💡Gold as an Eternal Metal

In the video, gold is described as an 'eternal metal' that played a significant role in the lives of the ancestors, from birth to death. Gold was used to create protective covers for the fontanel (the soft spot on a baby's head) and face masks for the deceased to ensure a cordial welcome to the afterlife. This concept underscores the cultural and spiritual importance of gold, symbolizing power, wealth, and a connection to the divine.

Highlights

The exhibition features over 1,000 gold artifacts dated from the 10th to 13th centuries.

The collection is described as the country's greatest tangible heritage by Dr. John Nixie.

The artifacts celebrate the sophisticated cultures that flourished in the Philippines before Spanish colonization.

The omega-shaped ornaments, known as Ling lingo, show similarities with Southeast Asian cultures.

Early versions of the Linglingo were produced in Batanes using imported jade from Taiwan.

Gold chains and waist sashes are adorned with motifs associated with Hindu gods Vishnu and Shiva.

Leaders of early Philippine societies ruled through merit and consensus, wearing gold regalia to affirm authority.

The most spectacular gold accoutrement is a torso ornament with a missing red cabochon finial.

The Surigao treasure, a massive gold chain weighing almost 4 kilograms, is the only known example of its kind.

The Boxer Codex provides insights into how these ornaments were worn by pre-colonial inhabitants.

Gold jewelry was still in use during the early contact period, as described by Antonio Pigafetta in 1521.

Jesuit missionary Father Ignacio Alcina detailed traditional jewelry used in the late 17th century.

Cultural preferences in different regions are evident through specific types of earrings like the cayunkayon.

Anthropomorphic figures in gold bear witness to the Hindu-Buddhist substratum of the pre-colonial past.

Gold works portraying Hindu-Buddhist forms were recovered before the arrival of Islam and Christianity.

The exhibition includes a gold sheath in the form of a male figure, possibly used for protection.

Gold covers were used to protect the body's fontanels from malignant spirits in afterlife beliefs.

Gold played an important role in the lives of ancestors, from birth to death, symbolizing power and wealth.

The exhibition invites visitors to explore and take pride in the Philippines' forgotten pre-colonial past.

Transcripts

[Music]

welcome to the gold of ancestors

exhibition on the fourth floor of Ayala

Museum I am Florina Capistrano Baker the

curator of the exhibition

exhibit features over 1 000 gold options

dated Circa 10th to 13th centuries

originally collected by the late

National artists for architecture

Leandro locsin and this archaeologist

wife Cecilia loxia

the archaeologist and art historian Dr

John mixick describes this collection as

perhaps the country's greatest tangible

Heritage that can stand comparison with

other gold collections in the world

the exhibition celebrates the

sophisticated cultures that flourished

in the Philippines before Spanish

colonization in the 16th century some

forms recall those from other Southeast

Asian cultures affirming Regional

affinities and inter-island engagements

that flourished before sustained contact

with the Western world

as you enter the calories turn right to

the section called austronesian

migrations in this section we have

several examples of omega-shaped

ornaments or pananulars popularly called

Ling lingo by archaeologists

similarities in language and visual

culture among austronesian-speaking

peoples in Southeast Asia support the

notion of shared origins in prehistory

among the most widespread themes is the

omega-shaped ornament known as mamouli

in parts of Indonesia and Ling lingo in

the northern Philippines

archaeological Research indicates that

early versions of the lingling or were

produced in batanes as early as 2500

using imported Jade from Taiwan

the examples in the exhibition are of

hammered gold and were recovered from

various parts of the archipelago

[Laughter]

connections to neighboring Southeast

Asian cultures are evident as well in

distinctive objects such as modesty

covers and finger rings adorned with

motifs associated with this Hindu gods

Vishnu such as the Conch Shell and Shiva

such as the Bulls horns

as we proceed to the opposite side we

see gold chains and waist sashes along

with images of contemporaneous gold

works from other parts of the world

leaders of early Philippine societies

ruled through Merit and consensus earned

through bravery in battle wisdom and

wealth these Leaders with honorary title

of datu or fine garments and dazzling

gold regalia to affirm Authority and

prestige

in this Gallery are several ornaments

and ritual vessels used by the

pre-colonial datu

the most spectacular of these gold

accoutrements is this torso ornament it

is a torso ornament meant to go across

one shoulder across the body and

originally it had a

red cabochon finial that is now missing

one side has a slit perhaps to

accommodate a dagger or a weapon this

massive gold chain is arguably the most

spectacular object from the Treasure

Trove known as the Surigao treasure

accidentally recovered in 1981. it

weighs almost 4 kilograms and consists

of an inner loop and loop chain with an

outer skin of segmented tubular beads on

four sides thus forming a squared

profile it is the only known example of

its kind and weighs more than the entire

gold find of over 1 000 gold objects

from the 7th Century site of okeo in

present-day Vietnam

[Music]

one of the most important manuscripts

that give us an idea of how these

ornaments were worn is the manuscript

called the boxer codex which Scholars

date to

1590 or more recent scholarship suggests

15.95 and in this manuscript you have

images

watercolor images that we have enlarged

in the walls of this Alcove to show you

how the pre-colonial inhabitants that

were encountered by the Spaniards at the

time of early contact wore their

garments of

illustrious Sumptuous silk and ornaments

of gold

there is a 300 year gap between the

approximate date of the gold Works in

this exhibition and the 16th century

accounts such as the boxer codex but

Antonio pigafetta's descriptions of gold

jewelry encountered upon Magellan's

arrival in 1521 make it clear that such

adornments were still in use during the

early contact period

the Jesuit missionary father Ignacio

Alcina provides detailed descriptions of

traditional jewelry still eaten used in

the late 17th century both men and women

had pierced ears to accommodate a

variety of ornaments men had one or two

holes per lobe while women had three or

four the larger earrings were usually

worn on the lowest hole such as this

pamarang decorated with extremely fine

granulation which you can appreciate

better using the magnifying glass built

into the exhibition drawers

larger ornaments were only worn by men

in contrast only women wore jewelry with

floral motifs a specific type of earring

embellished with floral shaped Spangles

called cayunkayon occurs only in the

visayas suggesting specific cultural

preferences in different regions

the swaying motion of these glistening

Spangles was part of their attraction

thank you

in this fabulous Alcove just off the

journey to the afterlife are several

anthropomorphic figures that bear

witness to our Hindu Buddhist substratum

our pre-colonial past that has been

blurred Through Time

gold Works portraying Hindu Buddhist

forms recovered across the archipelago

before the arrival of Islam and

Christianity in the 14th to 16th

centuries include this Exquisite gold

vessel in the shape of a qinari half

woman and half bird the kinari

personifies the feminine ideal of beauty

Grace and accomplishment the textured

feather of patterns on her wings and

tail contrast with the smoothness of her

skin

[Music]

local plaques portray a female image

with uprised hands wearing an elaborate

headdress with a tree of life Motif

frame by flame-like appendages and

multiple layers of neck ornaments there

are intriguing similarities to Tamil

representations of the Hindu goddess

Kali who is usually represented with a

flame-like halo around the head though

further research is needed to illuminate

this possible connection

this extraordinary gold sheath in the

form of a male figure probably covered a

solid core to which it was secured

through perforations along the slit in

the back his arms are bent at the elbows

and gesture upward to his chest 16th

century accounts describe pre-christian

figures called TaoTao or larawan that

were kept in houses to protect the

residents Within

this intriguing set of gold sheets

depicts a two-wheeled chariot with a

large human face on top and a smaller

full figure near the base the gold icon

appears to be related to the Hindu sun

god Surya who is often portrayed riding

a chariot along with his charioteer

there's a similar icon in the collection

of the Banco Central Pilipinas miniature

versions of monumental architecture such

as stupas and temples are not uncommon

among Hindu Buddhist cultures there are

possible connections to the spectacular

chariot-shaped Temple to the sun god

Surya at konark a prominent landmark of

the ancient Kalinga Empire on the east

coast of India Kalinga played such a

prominent role in the maritime trade

with southeast Asia that the Bay of

Bengal was once called the Kalinga sea

Scholars have traced archaeological

evidence of kalinga's presence in

Malaysia Sumatra Java and Bali ancient

connections to pre-colonial Philippine

cultures merits further study

in 1981 the loxian foundation sponsored

an archaeological project in agusan Del

Norte in Mindanao led by supervising

archaeologist Dr Warren Peterson six

burials were recovered under controlled

conditions in masago butuan Chinese

export Ceramics found in association

with the gold objects and radiocarbon

dating of charcoal samples from two

graves indicate approximate dates

between the 10th to 13th century hence

the tentative dating of the gold objects

in this exhibition

after death spiritual forces were

believed to travel in and out of the

body

the Fontanel or openings such as the

eyes nose and mouth which were protected

by gold covers to prevent malignant

Spirits from taking over the body large

face masks of hammered gold were

embellished with diadems marking one's

Elite status these accoutrements of

power and wealth ensured a cordial

welcome to the afterlife thus gold the

Eternal metal played an important role

in the lives of our ancestors beginning

at Birth and ending upon death

I hope you enjoyed this short

introduction to the exhibition entitled

gold of ancestors pre-colonial Treasures

in the Philippines there is more to see

and learn in person and we hope that you

and your family and your friends will

visit Ayala Museum often we as a people

have much to be proud of as we recover

rare fragments of ancient splendors and

reinsert in our Collective memory these

extraordinary Treasures from our have

forgotten pre-colonial past

thank you

[Music]

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