Customs of the Tagalog by Juan de Plasencia (OLSS01-OLCA122A013)

Summary

This video script delves into the historical account of 'Customs of the Tagalog' by Juan de Placentia, a Spanish Franciscan missionary. It explores the life of pre-colonial Filipinos, detailing their social structure, monarchy, legal system, and cultural practices. Placentia's work, written in 1581, offers insights into the Tagalog's indigenous beliefs, marriage customs, and religious practices, challenging the notion of them as uncivilized. It serves as a valuable resource for understanding the rich cultural heritage of the Tagalog people and their society before Spanish colonization.

Takeaways

• 📜 Juan de Plasencia was a Spanish Franciscan missionary who arrived in the Philippines in 1578 and authored 'Costumbres de los Tagalogs', providing insights into the Tagalog culture before colonization.
• 🏞️ The document offers a detailed look into the social structure, including the monarchy, legal system, and social classes like nobles, commoners, and slaves in pre-colonial Tagalog society.
• 💍 It describes the ornamentation, marriage customs, and dowry practices, highlighting the importance of these traditions in the Tagalog culture.
• 🏛️ The 'barangay', a tribal gathering, is revealed as the basic unit of governance, led by a 'datu' who implemented laws and maintained peace.
• 🎎 The caste system within the 'barangay' is outlined, detailing the functions and limitations of each social class.
• 🔮 The Tagalogs' religious practices, including idol worship, divination, and rituals, are explored, showing a complex belief system.
• 🌱 The indigenous calendar and methods of timekeeping based on agricultural cycles and lunar phases are discussed.
• 🗣️ The document provides a record of the Tagalog language, showcasing the linguistic richness of the culture.
• 🏺 It challenges the Spanish colonial narrative by documenting the advanced social, political, and religious systems of the Tagalog people, refuting claims of 'uncivilized' natives.
• 🔗 The customs and traditions recorded serve as a connection to the present, showing the continuity of certain practices and the resilience of Tagalog culture.

Q & A

Who is Juan de Plasencia and what was his role in the Philippines?

Juan de Plasencia, born as Juan Puerto Carrero, was a Spanish prior of the Franciscan order and one of the first group of Franciscan missionaries who arrived in the Philippines in 1578. He spent most of his missionary life in the Philippines, where he founded numerous towns and authored several religious and linguistic books, including the 'Doctrina Christiana', the first book ever printed in the Philippines.

What is the historical background of the document 'Customs of the Tagalog'?

The document 'Customs of the Tagalog' was written in 1581 during the Spanish Colonial period. It was inspired by the missionary work of Juan de Plasencia in the Philippines, particularly his observations and judgments of the Tagalog people's culture and society in Luzon.

What are the main topics covered in 'Customs of the Tagalog'?

The document covers various aspects of Tagalog life, including social classes, ornamentation, the organization of monarchy, the legal system, ownership, inheritance, marriage customs, religious and superstitious beliefs, economics, and language.

How did the Tagalogs' governing system function according to the document?

The document describes the governing system of native Filipinos being led by a Datu, who also served as the captain in their wars. The Datu's executive functions included implementing laws, ensuring peace and order in the barangay, and providing protection to subjects.

What was the caste system within the Tagalog barangay like?

The caste system within the barangay consisted of three social classes: nobles, commoners, and slaves. Each class had specific functions and limitations within and outside of the barangay.

What are the marriage customs described in the document?

The document details the dowry system where the male usually gives dowries to the parents of the female. It also presents rules regarding marriage between individuals of the same and different social classes.

How did the Tagalogs practice their religious beliefs?

The Tagalogs practiced their religious beliefs through worship using drums, feasts, and rituals called 'nag-aanitos'. They also worshipped a series of idols for particular settings and practiced divination.

What did the Tagalogs believe about life after death?

The Tagalogs believed in an afterlife with a place of reward for the virtuous, called 'kaban' or paradise, and a place of punishment for the wicked, called 'kasanan', where they would suffer grief and affliction with the devil called Satan.

How does the document contribute to the understanding of Philippine history?

The document serves as a basis for historical reconstructions of Tagalog society, providing vivid imagery of ancient Tagalog practices. It helps in realizing the mastery of local language and culture that led to the success of Christianity in the Philippines and illustrates the unique Tagalog culture before colonization.

What is the relevance of 'Customs of the Tagalog' in contemporary Philippine society?

The document is relevant as it affirms that during the pre-Hispanic period, Filipinos already had a government, a set of beliefs, and practices. It shows that many 16th-century beliefs and practices are still present and observed today, such as the barangay system and certain customs and traditions.