Group 1: First Voyage Around the World (Antonio Pigafetto)

BANGIT, Francesca Amanda F.

DAVID, John Carlo
DIZON, Leigh Ann
MONTEALTO, Jan Rey

1. Background of the Author/Creator (Background, role. Intent, and perspective)

Francisco Antonio Pigafetta who is also known by name of Antonio Lombardo or

Antonio Pigafetta was a famous Italian traveler who was born in Vicenza on the year 1490
to whom have also died in the same city on the year 1534

Pigafetta was born into a wealthy family. He is an explorer from the Republic of
Venice. He is also an Italian scholar and studied navigation among other things. He served
on board the galleys of the Knights of Rhodes, and accompanied the papal nuncio,
Monsignor Chieregati, to Spain. Antonio Pigafetta was a key player of one of the most
amazing world exploration trips, he was an Italian seafarer and geographer. On their
journey with Ferdinand Magellan, he was able to discover different data concerning about
geography, climate, flora, fauna and the native inhabitants of the places that the expedition
visited. During the discoveries of the natives, he tried to assemble some brief glossaries
about their native language.
Pigafettas’s account contributed immensely to the enrichment of Philippines
histpriography in which these writings has provided its p[eople an overview of the political,
economic and social conditions of the islands of the Visayas during the 16th century.
Pigafetta’s account is the only most important source written about the voyage of
circumnavigation, excluding the fact that it has included fabulous and complex details. On
a daily basis he wrote notes and was actually surprised that he lost a day due to its driving
situations. In his works were also written broad description of different types of anilams
such as the Storm petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus), Sharks, The pink spoonbill, and the
phyllium orthoptera (which is an insect similar to a sheet). His report is rich in ethnographic
details. He practiced as an interpreter and came to develop, at least in two Indonesian
dialects.
2. Historical Background of the Document/Source (Time, place, circumstances and situation)
Antonio Pigafetta makes clear his desire to see the world and profit from the
experience— “having obtained much information from the books that I had read, as well
as from various persons, who discussed the great and marvelous things that might satisfy
me somewhat, and that might grant me some renown with posterity.” This clearly states
that Pigafetta, being a seafarer and geographer that he is, has desired to be included in the
circumnavigation that Ferdinand Magellan was leading. He was yearning for experiences
that would help him discover more about the world that he was living in. His desire had
pushed him to become the assistant of Ferdinand Magellan in his journey towards the Spice
Islands.
According to Cachey (2007) the first voyage around the world started at 20th of
September 1519 when Ferdinand Magellan departed in Spain in fleet of five ships and a
crew of less than 240 men intending to reach the Orient by sailing around or through South
America and across the largely uncharged expanse of the Pacific Ocean. This statement
may be an evidence to assume that Antonio Pigafetta has started writing his report about
the first voyage led by Ferdinand Magellan as early as they have started the said journey.
Through their journey, Pigafetta have encountered events and occurrences that unveiled
the differences of every place that he was in. These matters were all written down up to the
appearances of the people, their customs, rituals and most especially possessions that every
places was rich in. This report is clearly intended to provide European readers with
practical information for their future dealings. Although they have faced different trials
along with their expedition, three years later, on 6th of September 1522, Magellan’s
successor, Juan Sebastian de Elcano have returned to Spain along with a single ship, the
Victoria, and the remnants of the expedition. Although there is no direct statement when
Pigafetta finished writing the report, we can presume that he had finished it right after the
end of their circumnavigation.
Today this book is considered one of the most important documentary evidence
relating to the geographical discoveries of the Sixteenth Century, which was rescued before
in 1797 after being lost.

3. Content presentation of Analysis (Important historical information found in the

document/source and authoritativeness)

The crew of the Victoria cast anchor in the waters of Seville spain completing the
first circumnavigation of the world on September 8, 1522. Antonio pigaffeta, a young
nobleman who had just joined the said event 3 years prior was on board, and he also
served as Ferdinand Magellan’s assistant on the route to the Molucca Islands. During the
travel, Magellan died. All off the fleet had gone missing: Santiago shipwrecked, San
Antonio was overtaken, The concepcion was burned, and the Trinidad was abandoned.
237 sailors was the number of people who departed from Seville, but only 18 had the
chance to survive and return to Victioria.

One of the survivors is Pigafetta who had managed to save his Journal which had
notes that are detailed – it was written in the journal the discovery of the western route to
the Moluccas. Along the way was a new land and new people, in which on the far side of
the pacific, the fleet had stumbled on the MAriannas archipelago, and further west three
hundred leagues, the Philippines. Pigafetta’s journal became the only written basis for his
1525 travelogue which is the first voyage around the world. In accordance to Theodore
Cachey Jr, this written record represented “the literary epitome of its genre” and it alos
bagged an internation reputation (cachey, xii-xiii) While Francesco Chiericati who was
one of his patrons described the journal “a divine thing”.

In the late 1400’s, a great new age of European exploration began, led by
Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian sailors. They made great voyages into the unknown, full
of danger, adventure and discovery. These pioneers were driven by Christian zeal and
profit.

In Europe, spices like cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg which grew only in the Far
East were worth their weight in gold. Whoever controlled their trade was guaranteed
immense wealth. By 1518, the route to the so called Spice Islands was dominated by
Portugal.

Spain wanted a route of its own. Enter 38 year old Portuguese sailor, Ferdinand
Magellan was a brilliant navigator who spent many years sailing the Indian Ocean. But
he had fallen out with the King of Portugal and now offered a bold plan to his rival, King
Charles I of Spain. Magellan believes that it is possible to sail around the new world and
reach the Spice Island from the East.

Since contrary to popular myth, it had been widely accepted for centuries that the
Earth was round. King Charles accepted Magellan’s proposal and helped him assemble
an expedition providing him a crew and five ships.

The fleet set sail on the 20th of September 1519 and crossed stormy Atlantic to
reach the future site of Rio de Janeiro in modern Brazil. Here the men traded with local
tribes, exchanging simple objects like fish hooks and playing cards for fresh foods and
water.
Magellan continued south until winter storms forced him to camp it Puerto San
Julian (Argentina). There Magellan faced mutiny led by Spanish officers convinced he
was leading them to their doom. Magellan acted swiftly and ruthlessly, he sent loyal men
to kill one of their leaders while another was captured and executed. Two others were
marooned left behind when the fleet sailed south again in August.

As Magellan searched for a passage west, one ship, the Santiago was wrecked
though the crew were saved. Another ship, the San Antonio, deserted and sailed home.
Magellan did discover a 350 mile strait which now bears his name.

Through the far ocean, a sea that seemed so calm he named it Mara Pacifico, the
peaceful sea or the Pacific Ocean. But the Pacific Ocean was far bigger that they’ve
estimated, their supplies run out and the men were forced to eat rats and drink putrid
water, 19 died of scurvy.

Then after 99 days, the lookouts spied land. They have found Guam in the
Mariana Island, but when the islanders stole one of their boats, fighting broke out and
Magellan had to leave without provisions, then the archipelago was named Islas de los
Ladrones by Magellan, which means the island of Thieves.

A week later, Magellan and his men became the first Europeans to reach the
Philippines, where they were able to feast on bananas and coconuts. With Magellan’s
Malays slave acting as a translator, they sailed on through the Philippine, to Cebu.

On March 18, nine men came to them and showed them joy and eagerness in
seeing them. Magellan realized that the men were reasonable and welcomed them with
food, drinks and gifts.

He characterized the people in Samal as “very familiar and friendly” and willingly
showed them different islands. The fleet went to Humunu Island and they found what he
referred to as the “Watering Place of Good Signs” for it is in this place that they have
found the first signs of gold in the island. They named the island together with a nearby
island as the archipelago of St. Lazarus.

After a few days, Magellan was introduced to the king’s brother who was also a
king of another island where Pigafetta reported that they saw mines of gold. On March
21, Magellan ordered the chaplain to preside a Mass by the shore. This was the first Mass
in the Philippines, and the cross would be Magellan’s Cross which is still preserved at
present day. Magellan explained to the kings as a sign of his emperor who ordered him to
plan it in the places where he would reach and further explained that once other
Spaniards saw this cross, then they would that they had been in this island and would not
cause them troubles.

By April 7th, Magellan and his men reached the port of Cebu with the help of
Raja Calambu. Magellan’s men and the king of Cebu met in an open space then the king
offered a bit of his blood and demanded Magellan to do the same.
 On April 14, Magellan spoke to the king and encouraged him to be a good
Christian by burning all the idols and worship the cross instead. The king of Cebu was
then baptized as Christians. After eight days, all of the island’s inhabitant were already
baptized.

On 26th of April, Zula, a principal man from the island of Mactan went to see
Magellan and asked him for a boat full of men so that he would be able to fight the chief
named Silapulapu, Magellan offered three boats instead and went to Mactan to fight the
said chief.

They numbered 49 in total and the islanders of Mactan were estimated to number
1,500. Magelan died in the battle, he was pierced with a poison arrow in his right leg.
The king of Cebu who was baptized offered help but Magellan refused so that he could
see how they fought.

The king offered the people of Mactan gifts of any value and amount in exchange
of Magellan’s body but the chief refused and wanted to keep Magellan’s body as a
memento of their victory.

Pigafetta also accounted Magellan’s slave and interpreter named Henry betrayed
them and told the king of Cebu that they intended to leave as soon as possible. Henry and
the king of Cebu conspired and betrayed what was left of Magellan’s men. The king
invited them to a gathering where he said he would present the jewels that he would send
for the king of Spain.

Pigafetta was left on board the ship and was not able to join the 24 men who went
to the gathering because he was nursing his battle wounds.

The natives had slain all the men except the interpreter and Juan Serrano who
shouted at the men on the ship to pay ransom so that he would be spared but he was left
on the island for they refused to go back to shore.

With only enough men left two ships, they burned the Conception and continued
their search for the Spice Islands.

They travelled to the Muslim Court of Brunei on Borneo and were amazed by its
splendour. Finally, with the help of the local guides and more than two years after sailing
form Spain, they reached the spice or Maluku Island which today is part of Indonesia.

They traded everything they had for the entire clove their ships could carry. But
as they prepared for the long voyage home, the Trinidad sprang a leak and had to stay
behind for repair. Its crew later tried to return to Spain across the Pacific, but most of the
men became sick or have died.
 The survivors have to return to the Maluku Islands where they and the Trinidad
were captured by the Portuguese.

The Victoria, the last and smallest ship of Magellan’s fleet sailed west for home,
captained by Juan Sebastian Elcano. Crossing the Indian Ocean, it took nine weeks of
battling headwinds before they could round the Cape of Good Hope.

The men begun to starve once more, twenty-one died before they found fresh
provisions at Cape Verde, on the 8th of September 1522, almost exactly three years after
their departure, the crew of the Victoria cast anchor at Seville, Spain.

4. Contribution and relevance of the document/source in understanding the grand narrative

of Philippines history.

The relevance of Antonio Pigafetta’s venture fundamentally lies in the fact that he
took part to the first globe circumnavigation

In which, he was as able to accomplish a detailed description of the journey in the

report of the First trip around the world, and today is considered one of the most important
documentary evidence relating the geographical discoveries of the Sixteenth Century. In line
with these, the indigenous people, affected by the celebration of Mass and the crucifix
planted in the island, promised to convert to Christianity.

All in all, this sole account by Antonio Pigafetta made people debate over who truly
was able to circumnavigate the world. These people were divided into three; those who
believed that it was Ferdinand Magellan, those who believed that it was Enrique of Malacca,
and those who believed that it was Juan Sebastian Elcano. With all the information and
factual evidences that were given to us, we could say that the person who truly
circumnavigated the world first was Juan Sebastian Elcano. This is because as stated, it is not
possible for it to be Ferdinand Magellan since he unfortunately died during an encounter with
some Filipinos. Because of this, he did not get the chance to circumnavigate the world
completely. On the other hand, Enrique of Malacca left the expedition and freed himself after
Ferdinand Magellan’s sudden death. There were no strong evidences of him everywhere;
regarding where he was or what he did. This means that it could not be assumed that he went
on his own to accomplish the circumnavigation. This is also far from happening because it is
difficult for a crew to survive a long journey on the coast, and it is obviously more difficult to
do when alone. This leaves us with Juan Sebastian Elcano. It is written in the records that he
indeed was able to circumnavigate the world completely. Despite the completion of his
circumnavigation being a coincidence, he is still considered as the person who
circumnavigated the world successfully.
Sources:
https://thebiography.us/en/pigafetta-antonio
http://philippinediaryproject.com/about-the-philippine-diary-project/about-the-diaries/about-
antonio-pigafetta/

https://www.inkroci.com/culture_movie/literatures/literatures-from-the-world/first-voyage-
around-the-world-by-antonio-pigafetta.html

https://www.essaydaily.org/2013/11/antonio-pigafettas-first-voyage-
around.html?m=1&fbclid=IwAR2mJe1YqVi8Y01Jri2WbmpKw-
qqlEN4mRZb4UpmcCSag9t4CdBTRLFkJ78