Content and Contextual Analysis: Pigafetta's First Voyage Around the World

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering Antonio Pigafetta's chronicles of Magellan's expedition in the pre-colonial Philippines.

Antonio Pigafetta

An Italian nobleman who accompanied Ferdinand Magellan's circumnavigation of the world and wrote the chronicles documenting the pre-colonial Philippines.

Ladrones Islands

A name meaning "Islands of the Thieves" given to three islands where the inhabitants had no arms except sticks with fishbones at the end.

Isle of Zamal

The island approached ten days after departing the Ladrones Islands, known in the present day as Samar.

Humunu (Homonhon)

An island where Magellan's fleet landed and found what Pigafetta referred to as the "Watering Place of Good Signs."

"Watering Place of Good Signs"

Pigafetta's designation for the island of Humunu (Homonhon), named because it was the place where they first saw gold on the island.

Archipelago of St. Lazarus

The name given by the expedition to an island near Humunu.

Mazzava/Mazaus

The location where the fleet encountered two balanghai (balangay) on March 25th, whose local king exchanged gifts with Magellan.

Raja Calamba

The brother of the king at Mazzava and king of another island, who possessed an abundance of gold on his ship and had a house littered with gold.

March 31 (Easter Sunday)

The date Magellan ordered the expedition chaplain to preside over a Mass by the shore, which was attended by two local kings who knelt and kissed the cross.

Zubu (Cebu)

The port reached by Magellan and his crew on April 7th with the guidance and assistance of Raia Kulambo.

Raja Humabon

The king of Cebu (Zubu) who met with Magellan's men on April 8th and was baptized into Christianity on April 14 after burning his animistic idols.