The Cultural Life of our Filipino Ancestors

called a datu or rajah, who wielded vast powers over his continuants. Roles as a Datu or Rajah Law Enforcer Land Administrator Chief Warrior in times of war with the neighboring barangays. Stood as a Judge

Our ancient laws were products of our customs that had been handed down from generation to genteration These laws were strictly implemented, There were also written laws like the Code of Kalintiaw and Maragtas. Many, however, believed that these laws are not authentic C. Social Order The family was the smallest unit of society. Each member had an important role to play. The father stood as Head of the family , The Mother took Care of the household , the son accompanied his father in hunting or farming; and the daughter stayed home to learn the household chores. Society divided into three classes 1. Maharlika Which composed of the Datu and his family 2. Timawa or freemen 3. Alipin or Slaves Composed the third class and divide into two:

The First Group of Malays who landed in the Philippines. Had their own culture, They led quiet and orderly lives, and had their own system knowledge. These natives built small communities by the rivers, seashores and inland waters, and were easily to adapt their life to the new environment. They quickly mastered these new ways which they used in their everyday life I. Political Order A. The Barangay Barangay, a term of Malay origin which means banca or boat . Historically, Balangay boats were once used by the native migrants, who sailed from their homeland and reach Philippine soil. A barangay was composed of 25 to 100 families. The head or chief was

1. 2. 3. 4.

Roles as a Tribal Chief 1. He stood as a defender of a weak and innocent. 2. He Solicited the advice of the Council of Elders. In the beginning, the position of datu was inherited by the eldest son or daughter Eventually, it went to anyone with the following qualities 1. Wealth 2. Intelligence 3. Love for the country or kabayanihan

B. Laws

a. Aliping Namamalay- servants to a datu and timawas and had the right to own property b. Aliping Saguiguilid- enjoyed no rights and freedom, were considered properties of their master. D. Religion Our Early ancestors had their own beliefs regarding home, the world in general, and life after death The different Gods 1. Bathala- ruler of heaven and earth. 2. Anito or Spirits of departed ancestorsconsidered as their redeemers and mediators 3. Priest or babaylan in Visayas- presided over rituals and ceremonies. II. E. Modes of Dressing The Early Filipinos had their own style in dressing. They also used ornaments to enhance their physical appearance. Clothes are made of Cotton, Silk and Plant fibers. Kangan- Collarless and Short-sleeved jacket worned by the men. Bahag- a cloth wrapped around the waist and between legs.

Putong- a piece of cloth around the head. Both Man and Woman often wear Bracelet, rings, and Necklaces A tattoo was another popular body ornament, it symbolizes beauty or bravery. For a man, the tattoo served as a war record of number of man he killed in a fair fight. F. Housing Our ancestors lived in permanent homes almost similar to kubo or hut. They were Made Up of bamboo, wood, and palm leaves. A house often had basements or cellars where animals were kept, Ladders in every home were also made of bamboo. Customs A. Courtship and Marriage Marriage was an aspect of life regarded seriously by our ancestors. The choice of a partner was based on the best wishes of the parents. A man must give a dowry to the girl s family before he may ask for her hand in marriage. He must also serve in the house of the girl he wishes to marry.

The Marriage ceremony was simple one. The Babaylan performed the ceremony which was witnessed by the relatives of the bride and groom. Celebrations after the wedding were also a common practice. B. Burial The Dead often underwent careful preparation. They were buried in riverbanks or seashores, and sometimes in caves. When a datu died, mourning rites called larao were accorded to him by the people. III. Filipino Culture A. Arts and Music Our Filipino Ancestors were music lovers. This can be seen in their instruments such as kudyapi, kubing, pasing, lantoy, buktot, kalaking, gansa, tultogan and others. They also had Songs for Various Occasions. Like the ayegkha of the Igorots, and the bundaka baleleng of the Tingyans in Abra; songs for planting like the annoay of the Iggorots and Palasintahan sa Taniman of the tagalogs; and other

songs for sailing, healing, marriage, death, war. Sentiments and emotions were also expressed in the dances. Examples of native dances are the tinikling, itik-itik, manglalatik, palu-palo, and singkil. B. Writings Our Ancesots had their own system in writing. People used sharp-pointed instruments or metals for pens and wrote on the banana leaves tree barks, and bamboo tubes. The alphabets called as alibata was composed of 17 letters, 3 vowels, and 14 consonants. C. Literature Ancient Literature has two kinds 1. Oral Literature Consisted of bugtong(riddles), songs, epics such as the Darangan the Maranaos, Biag ni Lam-Ang of the Ilocanos region, and the Alim and Hudhud of the ifugaos 2. Written Literature D. Livelihood Farming was the primary source of livelihood of the early Filipinos. There were different kinds of farming. In the

Mountainous Region, they built the rice terraces. On the lowlands, the Kaingin(Slash and Burn Method) was used and is still being used up to the present, however, it is a harmful farming method. Other Livelihood sources include livestock raising, handicraft, cloth weaving, pottery, and basket weaving. People living by the seashores and riverbanks thrived in fishing, our waters being rich in fish and other marine resources. It is said that our ancestors living in these coastal communities were the first Filipinos to establish commercial and trade relations with visitors from foreign shores.. IV. Early Relations Countries with other Asian

3 Different Early Relations with other Asian Countries A. Early Filipino-Arab Relations The Arabs were very first Asians to arrive in the Philippines. Those who came were composed of adventures, traders, scholars, and Artisans. They have contributed a lot our Political, economical, and Social life. Islam is the most important. B. Early Filipino-Chinese Relations The Philippines has a long history of trade relations with Chinese. Products that originated from the Philippines could be seen in different parts of China in 10CE. In exchanged for our corals, wood, rattan, and pearls, silk, beautiful jars, and porcelain pieces. We also learned the manufacture of gunpowder and other weapons; loose style of clothing, the use of camisa de chino, and bakya (wooden Sandals); various foods like tea, lumpia, pansit, ikoy; social customs like close family ties and ancestors worship C. Early Filipino-Indian Relations

Our Ancestors had already established trade and cultural exchanges with our Asian neighboring countries long before the arrival of the Spaniards in our countries

The Philippines and India did not have direct trade relations. Through Malaysia. And Hindu Civilization greatly influenced our culture in many ways.