HIST 1 Module 3: Origins of the Philippines — Myths and Migration Theories

Flashcards covering origin myths, Wave of Migration Theory, Social Evolution Theory, Austronesian theories (Out-of-Taiwan, NMTCN), key proponents, and migration evidence such as Kuroshio Current and chicken DNA.

What common trait did early Filipinos share when explaining their origins?

Creating mythological stories.

Which two figures are associated with the bamboo-origin story of the Philippines?

Malakas and Maganda.

In the Bathala origin story, what do the overcooked, raw, and just-right pieces represent?

Overcooked: dark skin; raw: white skin; just-right: brown skin.

What did Lumawig do in the Bontoc myth?

Transformed reeds into people and taught agriculture, music, etc.

Which Ilocano giant formed people using sputum?

Angalo.

What is the B’laan myth about Melu?

Melu scrubbed his body; dirt/dead skin became humans.

Who conceptualized the Wave of Migration Theory and who popularized it?

Ferdinand Blumentritt (via Rizal); popularized by Henry Otley Beyer.

What is the main critique of the Wave of Migration Theory noted in the notes?

It had no archaeological, linguistic, or biological basis and rested on settlement observations.

What does Social Evolution Theory claim about societies?

Societies are organisms evolving from simple to complex forms; it contributed to racial prejudice by privileging Western 'white' societies.

What are the two main theories of peopling the Philippines discussed in the notes?

Out-of-Taiwan Theory and Nusantao Maritime Trading and Communication (NMTCN) Theory.

Who are Austronesians and what are they known for?

A language family-speaking, mobile seafaring people with widespread distribution in the Asia-Pacific.

What is the central idea of the Out-of-Taiwan Theory proposed by Peter Bellwood?

Ancestors originated near Yunnan, China; moved to Taiwan; later to the Philippines.

Which theory did Peter Bellwood propose?

Out-of-Taiwan Theory.

What is the Nusantao Theory (NMTCN) and who proposed it?

A movement from the Philippines north to Taiwan and outward to the Pacific; proposed by Wilhelm Solheim II.

According to NMTCN, where did Proto-Austronesian groups originate and how did they spread?

Coastal areas of Mainland Asia/Southeast Asia/Bay of Bengal; moved into the Philippines and beyond toward Taiwan and the Pacific.

Which migration direction does Solheim II emphasize for Austronesians?

From the Philippines northward to Taiwan and outward to the rest of the Pacific.

What ocean current is cited as aiding movement from Luzon to Taiwan?

The Kuroshio Current.

What evidence supports Austronesian origins of chickens in the Asia-Pacific region?

DNA analysis showing the ancestors of regional chickens mostly came from the Philippines.

In Bellwood’s migration path, what are some key stops from Yunnan to the Pacific?

Yunnan, China → Taiwan → Philippines → Borneo → Sulawesi → Moluccas/Maluku → Java → Melanesia/Polynesia → Easter Island → New Zealand → Sumatra → Vietnam → Sri Lanka → Madagascar.

In Solheim II’s NMTCN, which area is encircled to show movement into the Philippines?

The Celebes Sea region.