FILIPINO PRE-COLONIAL SOCIAL FREEMEN

STRUCTURES AND GOVERNANCE 1. Maharlika

THE LAGUNA COPPERPLATE  they were warriors, skilled artisans, or those

INSCRIPTION who had
 the discovery of the Laguna distinguished themselves in the community
Copperplate Inscription on 1987 re-  they fight to keep the Datu in position and as
evaluated the then beliefs of the compensation, they
Philippine islands were not required to pay their taxes
 the landmark discovery of the  enjoy the same rights as the timawa
Laguna Copperplate pushed back  they can migrate to another barangay if they
the start of Filipino history by 600 so want, provided
years that they pay the existing Datu a sum of money for
 the inscription, written in Sanskrit, this purpose
Old Malay, Old Javanese, and Old COMMONERS
Tagalog, indicates the Philippines' 1. Timawa
pre-Spanish society had
international trading networks and  they were commoners who
strong cultural and trade cultivated the land, fished, and
connections with Southeast Asia engaged in other forms of labor
 “Hail! In the Saka-year 822; the month of  they were obligated to pay tribute
March-April; according to the astronomer: (buwis) to the Datu and provide
the fourth day of the dark half of the services when required
moon; on Monday.”Dutch anthropologist DEPENDENTS/SLAVES
Antoon 1. Alipin/Oripun
Postma translated the inscription
 “Saka” - an era originated from  their duty is to serve the Datu or the
India Maharlikas
 “822” - year 900 AD from
Gregorian calendar Who are considered alipin?

SOCIAL HIERARCHIES One becomes an ‘alipin’ because of inheritance,

captivity at
The political war, failure to pay debts, purchase, or a sentence
development of the handed
archipelago was such for a crime committed
that there was no Two categories of alipin:
national or central
government yet. 1. Aliping namamahay: They have their own
house inside the
Social Classes property of their master, can own properties, have
the liberty
1. Noble Class to choose whom to marry, and are compensated for
2. Freemen their
3. Commoners labor.
4. Dependents/Slaves 2. Aliping sagigilid: They do not have their
1. Datu/Rajah own house so they
live with their masters, can be sold by their masters,
 they held significant political, economic, are not
and social power compensated with their work, and cannot marry
 they owned without the
most of the land, controlled trade, and exacted master’s consent
tribute from the commoners
 becoming a POLITICAL SYSTEM DURING
noble is by virtue of one’s family lineage, PRE-COLONIAL PHILIPPINES
economic status, bravery or wisdom BARANGAY SYSTEM

A Datu's or Rajah's power is signified by the  the term barangay comes from the
amount of gold, word balangay
land, and slaves he has.  Each barangay was an independent
political entity
 The Datu was the leader.
 Barangays had no fixed boundaries KINSHIP AND SOCIAL MOBILITY
POLITICAL RELATIONS AMONG
BARANGAYS GOVERNANCE

 ALLIANCE Datu as the Leader

 CONFLICTS
 TRADE DIPLOMACY Each barangay was governed by a datu, who
exercised executive, legislative, and judicial
DYNASTIC COUNCIL OF DATUS functions. Their power rested on a combination of
wealth, military prowess, and customary law (adat).
 BARABANGSA DATUS Council of Elders
 GIYULAL or GULLAL DATUS
 MAGINOO CASTE The datu was often advised by a council of elders,
composed of respected members of the community.
SOCIAL STRUCTURES This council provided guidance on important
Barangay as the Basic Unit decisions and helped interpret customary laws.
Customary Laws (Adat)
The fundamental social unit was the barangay, a
village community typically consisting of 30 to 100 Pre-colonial societies were governed by unwritten
families. These barangays were often located along customary laws passed down orally through
coastlines or rivers for ease of trade and generations. These laws covered a wide range of
transportation. topics, including property rights, inheritance,
contracts, and dispute resolution.
The barangay was the fundamental unit of society Dispute Resolution
and governance in pre-colonial Philippines.
Conflicts were usually resolved through mediation
Noble Class (Datu or Rajah) by the datu or the council of elders. Fines,
restitution, and even trial by ordeal were used to
At the apex was the datu class, comprising the settle disputes
chieftain (datu) and their family. The datu held Inter-Barangay Relations
significant political, economic, and social power.
Relations between barangays could range from
Freemen (Maharlika) peaceful trade alliances to outright warfare. Datu
would sometimes form confederations for mutual
They owed allegiance and military service to the protection or to engage in larger-scale trade.
datu but were generally free from agricultural labor. Emergence of Larger Polities

Commoners (Timawa) As trade flourished, some barangays grew in power

and influence, leading to the formation of larger
The timawa constituted the majority of the polities such as the Kingdom of Tondo, the
population. They were obligated to pay tribute Kingdom of Maynila, the Kingdom of Butuan, and
(buwis) to the datu and provide services when the Sultanate of Sulu. These larger entities involved
required. a greater centralization of power and more complex
political structures.
Dependents/Slaves (Alipin or Oripun) Sultanates in the South

They belong to the lowest rung of the social class. In Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago, the arrival
of Islam in the 13th century led to the establishment
Who are considered alipin? of sultanates. These sultanates, such as the Sultanate
of Sulu and the Sultanate of Maguindanao, were
Those that committed crimes and whose lands were ruled by sultans who combined political and
taken over by the Datus, or those that were religious authority. Islamic law (Sharia) was
orphaned and have no family to care for them implemented alongside local customary laws.
anymore.
 ROLE OF WOMEN o Showed that local leaders controlled
BABAYLAN trade.
 held a leadership role in the community as o Leaders could negotiate terms,
priestesses, warriors, and healers-mediators of the demonstrating political organization.
spirit world
 Datus would seek advice from them in III. Water Resource Management & Trade
major barangay decisions
 they were the keepers of peace and justice  Locals supplied ships with fresh water,
and had a duty to heal not only the people but also food, and resources.
the land  Sandalwood Trade: Highly valued and
 Their core role in the community was to exchanged for red cloth, hatchets, iron,
keep the peace and was considered as one of the and nails.
four main pillars of the community along with the  Gold Trading: Some islands used gold for
datu (political leader), bagani (warrior) and panday daily transactions.
(craftsmen).
 Babaylan were usually chosen either by inheriting IV. Economic and Political Structure
it from an elder babaylan or by calling from a spirit
through summoning dreams called rukut (Gaborro)  Role of Local Rulers:
 To become a babaylan, one had to master the o Acted as intermediaries between
skills of conflict resolution and sword fighting, a local and foreign traders.
complex and lifelong process often completed o Controlled access to trade routes and
by mature or menopausal age. imposed taxes.
WELL KNOWN BABAYLANS: o Examples: Rajah Humabon (open
 Catalonan (Tagalog Region) to trade) vs. Lapu-Lapu (resisted
 Babaylan of Rajah Humabon (Cebu) trade).
 Katalonan of Lakan Dula (Tondo, Manila)  Regulation and Taxation:
 Tamblot’s Babaylans (Bohol) o Rulers controlled trade and imposed
tariffs on merchants.
Reviewer: Pre-Colonial Philippine Economy and o Provided food and supplies to traders
Trade in exchange for goods.

I. Economic Systems and Trade V. Social & Cultural Aspects of Trade

 Cebu (Zubu/Sugbo): Major trading center  Linguistic Exchange: Pigafetta documented

in the pre-colonial period. Philippine languages.
 Barter System: Trade conducted through  Gift-Giving and Diplomacy: Trade was
barter rather than currency. often part of diplomatic exchanges.
o Example: Pigafetta recorded natives  Barter System: Europeans exchanged cloth,
trading rice and figs for knives. metal tools, and trinkets for gold, spices,
 Commodities Traded: and food.
o Hard commodities: Gold, coal,  Social Hierarchy in Trade:
metal. o Datus and nobles controlled trade.
o Soft commodities: Wheat, coffee, o Timawa (freemen) were farmers,
livestock. artisans, and fishermen.
 Foreign Merchants: o Alipin (slaves) worked due to debt
o Trade routes connected the bondage.
Philippines to Southeast Asia, the  Religious Influence: Some trade
Islamic world, and China. agreements were sealed with rituals like
o Moorish (Muslim) traders facilitated blood compacts (Sanduguan).
cultural and economic exchange.
o Chinese Influence: Use of "picis" VI. International Trade and Influence
coins for trade.
 Foreign Trade: Philippines had trading
II. Tribute System relations with China, Japan, Malacca, and
Cambodia.
 Definition: A form of "trade tax" paid by  Chinese Influence: Porcelain, silk, and
foreign traders. high-quality paper were major imports.
 Cebu's Trade Tax: Required payment to  Japanese Influence: Metal goods, pottery,
local rulers before trade. and cotton were exchanged.
 Magellan's Example: Even Magellan's fleet  Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade:
had to pay tribute to Cebu’s leaders. Connected the Philippines with Mexico,
 Significance: influencing global trade.
  Silver Regulation: Spanish authorities
controlled silver exports to maintain
economic balance. WHAT IS A BELIEF?
VII. Major Economic Products and Industries  A beliefs are the convictions, ideas, or
principles that individuals or groups hold to
 Mining & Metalwork: be true.
o Gold mining in Butuan, Cebu, and  It is subjective and internal.
the Igorot territories.  A belief is often abstract and intangible, and
o The Philippines supplied gold to can be religious, philosophical, cultural, or
China and Japan for silk and personal.
porcelain.
 Shipbuilding & Navigation: DEFINE PRACTICES?
o Oton (Panay): A major shipbuilding
hub.  Practices are actions, rituals, or behaviors
o Balangay boats: Used for regional that individuals or groups engage in, often as
and international trade. an expression of their beliefs or traditions.
o Filipinos contributed to Spanish  It is observable and external.
maritime dominance.  Practices is concrete and tangible.
 Agriculture:  Can often be structured and repetitive.
o Crops: Rice, coconuts, sugarcane,
cotton.
o Methods: Kaingin (swidden) and
irrigated farming.
o Tools: Wooden plows, bolos, CONTENT OF THE REPORT
carabaos.
 Textile Industry: Social Structure and Governance
o Materials: Plantain fibers
(medriñaque), cotton.  Barangay System – Self-governing
o Techniques: Handwoven fabrics, community led by a Datu (chief)
intricate dyeing. responsible for governance, justice, and
o Traded with China, Japan, and protection.
Borneo.  Social Hierarchy
 Fishing & Marine Trade: o Datu – Highest rank, leader of the
o Ambergris, pearls, sea turtle shells barangay.
were major exports. o Maharlika – Noble class, enjoyed
o Traded with China, Japan, and the privileges.
Malay Peninsula. o Timawa – Free commoners,
provided essential labor.
VIII. Financial Practices & Wealth Distribution o Alipin – Lowest class, served due to
debt or other circumstances.
 Economic Inequality:  Alliances & Warfare – Barangays formed
o Datus controlled wealth and alliances or engaged in conflicts; warfare
imposed taxes. involved raids and use of weapons like
o Debt Slavery: High-interest loans spears, bows, and shields.
led many into servitude.  Divine Right of Leaders – Leadership
 Loan Practices: justified through animism, ancestor
o Merchants charged high interest. worship, and belief in spirits. Babaylan
o Non-payment led to permanent (shamans) validated the Datu’s spiritual
slavery. legitimacy.

IX. Conclusion Legal and Justice Systems

 The Philippines was already an economic  Diverse, unwritten laws varying across
hub before colonization. communities, passed down orally.
 Trade was well-organized, with taxation,  Governed property rights, family relations,
diplomacy, and complex financial systems. and criminal offenses.
 Foreign interactions helped shape the  Datu acted as judge, resolving disputes, and
country's economic and political structure. enforcing customary laws.
 Punishments included fines, restitution,
PRE-COLONIAL PHILIPPINE PRACTICES banishment, and death.
AND BELIEFS
Religious and Spiritual Aspects  Warrior Training – Training from
childhood, including physical conditioning
 Animism – Spirits (Anito, Diwata) and spiritual mentorship.
inhabited trees, rivers, mountains, and other  Pre-Battle Rituals – Blessings from
natural elements. Babaylan, sacrifices, and war dances.
 Babaylan/Shaman – Spiritual leader, healer,  Weapons and Tactics – Pangangayaw
and ritualist conducting ceremonies and (raiding), ambush strategies, and scorched-
rituals. earth tactics.
 Ancestor Worship – Honoring ancestral
spirits with offerings and rituals. Burial Practices
 Bathala – Supreme deity for some groups
(e.g., Tagalog belief system).  Primary and Secondary Burial – Primary:
 Rituals and Offerings – Included animal simple burial; Secondary: exhumation,
sacrifices, food offerings, and feasts. bone-cleaning, and reburial.
 Mythical Creatures & Superstitions –  Cave Burials – Practiced by mountain tribes
Beliefs in supernatural beings like Aswang, (Igorot).
Kapre, and Nuno sa Punso.  Boat Burials – Symbolized the soul’s
journey (Maranao).
Cultural Aspects  Cremation – Evidence found in Ille Cave,
Palawan.
 Tattooing (Batok) – Symbol of bravery,
social status, and protection; practiced
across different regions.
 Clothing and Adornments – Worn based
on social status and tribal identity, with
materials like abaca, cotton, and silk.
 Oral Traditions – Storytelling as a
communal activity, preserving myths,
legends, and folktales.
 Music and Dance – Used for rituals,
celebrations, and storytelling, with region-
specific dances and instruments.

Economic Aspects

 Agriculture – Practiced bayanihan

(communal farming), performed rituals for
planting, rain, and harvest.
 Fishing – Techniques included nets, spears,
and fish traps; Bangka and Balangay boats
used.
 Trading – Barter system was common,
gold used as currency, trade alliances
through marriage pacts and peace treaties.
 Industries and Crafts – Weaving, pottery,
metalworks, boat-building, woodcarving,
and basketry were essential trades.

Navigation and Seafaring

 Skilled in boat-building (Balangay,

Karakoa).
 Used stars, currents, and winds for
navigation.
 Rituals performed to bless boats before
voyages.

Warfare and Defense