Pre-Hispanic Era - Pre-Spanish Period

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the Pre-Spanish/Pre-Hispanic era notes.

Barangay

The basic political unit in pre-Spanish Philippines; an independent community led by a local ruler called a datu; no centralized national government (sometimes confederations formed).

Datu

Local chieftain who implements laws, maintains peace, protects subjects, and acts as judge; laws are made with elders; announced publicly by a town crier (umalokohan).

Gat

Noble title used for rulers among pre-Spanish Filipinos.

Lakan

Noble title used for a ruler; one of the high-class leaders.

Raja

Noble or kingly title used alongside other local rulers.

Aliping namamahay

Non-full pledge slave who has his own family and house; serves masters mainly during planting and harvesting.

Aliping sagigilid

Full slaves who are homeless, cannot form their own families, stay in their master’s dwelling, and may be used to settle debts.

Batalan

Gallery underneath or beside a house where jars or containers may be kept; part of traditional housing.

Kangan

Upper garment or jacket with short sleeves worn by males.

Bahag

Strip of cloth wrapped around the waist and between the legs (loincloth).

Putong

Headgear; symbolized the number of persons killed by the wearer.

Baro/Camisa

Baro or camisa refers to a jacket or blouse worn by females.

Saya

Lower garment worn by females.

Umalokohan

Town crier who announces new laws or important news to the public.

Buwis

Taxes paid for protection received from the datu; chieftain’s family exempt; non-payment was punishable.

Sanduguan

Blood compact; a formal alliance sealed by blood between chieftains.

Trial by ordeal

Judicial process influenced by religion; guilt determined by deities through tests such as candle trials or river plunges with lances; datu presides with elders as jury.

Bigay-kaya

Dowry consisting of land or gold given by the groom’s family.

Panghimuyat

Groom’s family gift to the bride (groom’s gift).

Himaraw

Payment for raising the future bride during infancy; paid by groom’s parents.

Bigay-suso

Share of the dowry received by the bride’s wet nurse.

Bathala

Supreme being in native belief.

Idiyanale

God of agriculture.

Sidapa

God of death.

Agni

God of fire.

Balangaw

God of the rainbow.

Mandarangan

God of war.

Lalahon

Goddess of harvest.

Siginarugan

God of hell.

Manaul

Sacred white monkey; revered animal in belief systems.

Crocodiles

Sacred animal in some beliefs.

Sun and Moon

Worshipped deities; part of religious practices.

Amulets (anting-anting)

Protective charms or talismans.

Kulam

Witchcraft or sorcery involving harming others with magic.

Gayuma

Love potion or charm used to influence affection.

Aswang

Witch or malevolent creature in native folklore.

Dwende

Tiny human-like forest or house spirits.

Mangkukulam

Witch or sorcerer who uses a doll and pins for magical harm.

Tikbalang

Mythical half-man, half-horse creature.

Tiyanak

A baby-like creature that supposedly sucks the life or blood of humans.

Kapre

Tall, tree-dwelling, man-like creature often depicted in folklore.

Ornaments (jewelry)

Gold and precious-stone adornments worn on the body; includes armlets, leglets, bracelets, rings, earrings; tattoos were also common.

Armlet

Ornament worn around the upper arm.

Leglet

Ornament worn around the ankle.

Bracelet

Wrist ornament.

Gold ring

Gold ring worn as jewelry.

Earring

Gold or decorative earrings.

Tattoo (tatud)

Body tattoos; sign of bravery and status.

Gold teeth

Gold inserts between teeth as ornament.

Education (pre-Spanish)

No formal schooling; literacy existed; knowledge transmitted by parents through observation, imitation, and practice for survival (hunting, farming, domestic tasks).

Economic life

Domestic trade between barangays via boats; foreign trade with Borneo, China, Japan, Cambodia, Java, Siam; occupations included shipbuilding, weaving, poultry, mining, lumbering.

Music instruments

Community-specific instruments; examples include cymbals (plantiles), nose flutes, bamboo mouth organ (aphiw), gansa (brass gong), bansic (flute), colibao (long drum), subing (bamboo harp), paiyak (water whistle), bugtot (guitar), agong (xylophone), tugo (drum).

Dances

Ancient war dances; performed to please gods (anitos) and spirits; often pantomimic; performed at festivals and celebrations.

Language and Writing

Eight major languages: Tagalog, Ilocos, Pangasinan, Pampangan, Sugbuhanon, Hiligaynon, Magindanaw, Samarnon; writing system includes Alibata (ancient Philippine alphabet) with a 3-vowel, 14-consonant set.

Alibata

Ancient Philippine script used before Spanish writing systems.

Biag ni Lam-Ang

Ilocano epic; example of written literature.

Indarapatra at Sulayman

Muslim epic; example of written literature.

Bidasari

Muslim epic; example of written literature.

Handiong

Bicolano epic; example of written literature.

Literature (oral vs written)

Oral genres include maxims (sabi), bugtong (riddles), talindaw (boat song), kumintang (war song), uyayi (lullaby), ihiman (wedding song); written works include epics and narratives.

Gat, Lakan, Raja, Datu (summary)

Noble rulers or chieftains; different titles used for leadership in various regions.