Foundations of Philippine History

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering the foundations of Philippine history, including primary sources, social structures, and pre-colonial cultural achievements.

History

The study of past events, particularly human affairs, through analysis of available evidence.

Primary Sources

First-hand accounts from the past, including documents, artifacts, oral traditions, and archaeological findings.

Laguna Copperplate Inscription (LCI)

The oldest known written document in the Philippines, dating back to $900\,CE$, written in Kawi script on a copper sheet.

Namwaran

A resident of Tondo whose debt forgiveness is recorded in the Laguna Copperplate Inscription.

Boxer Codex

A manuscript created around $1590$ with over $75$ illustrations and descriptions of pre-colonial Filipino and Southeast Asian cultures.

Doctrina Christiana

The first book ever printed in the Philippines ($1593$), featuring religious teachings in Spanish and Baybayin script.

C-R-I-S-P

An acronym for analyzing primary sources: Check the source, Recognize the audience, Investigate the content, Situate in history, and Point out the significance.

Barangay

Small independent settlements in the pre-colonial Philippines led by a datu.

Datu

The leader of a barangay who governed through alliances and warfare and belonged to the Maginoo class.

Maginoo

The highest social class (ruling class) in pre-colonial Philippines, including datus, rajahs, sultans, and their families.

Timawa

Free commoners in pre-colonial society who served as farmers, fishermen, traders, or warriors.

Alipin

The lowest social class in pre-colonial Philippines, consisting of debt-bonded workers or servants.

Aliping Namamahay

A type of Alipin who lived independently, worked for masters, and could not be sold.

Aliping Sagigilid

A type of Alipin who lived with their masters and had fewer rights, often due to debt, punishment, or war.

Animism

The pre-colonial religious practice of believing in nature spirits and ancestral worship.

Babaylan

Shamans who performed rituals and healing ceremonies, often serving as healers, advisers, and cultural custodians.

Balangay

An ancient Filipino vessel used for trade and migration that could carry up to $50$ people.

Maritime Jade Road

An ancient trade route connecting the Philippines, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia from $2000\,BCE$ to $1000\,CE$.

Baybayin

An ancient Filipino alphasyllabary script with $17$ characters, consisting of $14$ consonants and $3$ vowels.

Principalia

The local elite class during the Spanish colonization period that included former members of the Maginoo.