Download - Culture and Civilization of Early Filipinos
Custom 1:
Man belongs to one class marries a woman of the same class.
Ex. A man from the nobles class will marry the woman from the nobles class.
A man from the dependents class will marry a dependent woman.
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Custom 2:
It is possible to marry anyone from the other class.
Ex. A noble man can marry a dependent woman. Datu can marry a woman from the workers class (Timawa).
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• The legitimate wife is called the “asawa”.
• The other women are called “friends”.
• Children of the wife considered legitimate and can be the heir.
• Children of the other women are called illegitimate and cannot inherit property from their father.
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• Men are required to serve the girl’s parents for months and even years.
• He was not supposed to talk with the lady.
For parents consent, several conditions must be met by the man:
a. Dowry – land, gold or dependents.
b. Panghimuyat – sum of money for parents
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c. Bigay-suso – given to the nanny or helper
d. Himaraw – payment for feeding the girl during infancy
Payments are arranged directly by the parents of both party. This is called “pamumulungan” or “pamamalae”
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• Clothes are made from cotton, silk and plant fibers.
Men’s Clothing
a. Cangan – short sleeved jacket
b. Bahag – strip of cloth that is wrapped around the legs and hips
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Women’s clothing
a. Baro – blouse with big sleeves
b. Saya – loose skirt
c. Tapis – piece of cloth wrapped around the waist
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As part of the customs, tattooing is popular among them.
• It is a symbol of beauty and bravery.
• For men, more persons killed in battle is signified by having more tattoos in the body.
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• They have different forms of literature such as epics, legends, songs, maxims and sayings.
• Songs are sometimes accompanied by dancing and drama.
• Verses are recited.
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“Hayo na’t dimuhin ang bato mong puso
Sa pait ng aking luhang tumutulo,
Nang ang mailap mong awa’y nang umani
Sa walang hangganang tapat kong pagsuyo.”
Let thy hard-heart be softened
By my bitter tears flowing,
That you may take pity
On my sincere and boundless love.
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• Filipinos have their own system of writing called the “baybayin”
• According to Father Pedro Chirino, the baybayin contains the following characteristics of the four greatest languages of the world:
a. Hebrew – mysticism and difficulty
b. Greek – distinctive terms
c. Latin – elegance in writing
d. Spanish – civility and courtesy
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• They used various methods in catching fish using nets, bow and arrows, spear and hooks.
• Early Filipinos are proficient in building vessels (Ship-building and lumbering)
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• Before Roman Catholism and Islam were introduced, natives worshipped many gods and goddesses.
1. Bathala – supreme being
2. Idiyanale – god of agriculture
3. Sidapa – god of death
4. Agni – god of fire
5. Balangaw – god of rainbow
6. Mandarangan – god of war
7. Lalahon – god of harvest
8. Siginarugan – god of hell
• They also believed in the immortality of souls and life after death.
• There were sacred animals, which they venerate like white monkey (manaul) and crocodiles.
• There were also sacred place and sacred trees, which nobody was allowed to cut down.
• They also worshipped the sun and the moon.
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• Veneration of the soul-spirits was universal and termed as the “Cult of the Dead”.
• Ancient Filipinos adored idols called “anitos”.
• They are offered prayers and food for good harvest and good fortune.