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LESSON 1: Government, Society, and Means of Livelihood of Early Filipinos

Did you know that the early Filipinos had their own system of government and social order? Before the
Spanish colonizers arrived in the Philippines, the early Filipinos had established rules to manage themselves
and keep order to their society, though they had no national government. Would you like to know more about
their government and society back then?

GOVERNMENT
Types of Society
The two types of society during the early times in the Philippines were the barangay and the sultanate.

The Barangay
the barangay was the basic unit of government in the early times. The term barangay was derived from a
Malayan word meaning “boat”, which is believed to the means of transportation of the first people who came
to the Philippines.

The barangay consisted of 30 to 100 families with the datu as the head. For a larger barangay, the rajah or
lakan was the head. Each barangay was independent. It has its own rules and leaders. The datu or rajah
performed executive, legislative, and judicial duties. Together with a council of elders, he made and
implemented laws and presides as chief judge in disputes. Also, he was the commander-in-chief.
The position of a datu could be inherited. If he died without any heir, the people of the barangay would
choose he net datu. They would consider a man’s strength, courage, and fortitude to ensure that he could
defend the barangay from the enemies. He should be the richest, the fittest, the bravest, and the brightest
man in the barangay. The elders play a big role in a barangay, that is why there is a council composed of rich
elders in each barangay. They help the datu in deciding over cases against the law, in lawmaking, and decision-
making for their barangay.

 The word barangay can be spelled in different way. It

can be spelled as balanghai, biniray, biniday, and
balangay.
 Lapulapu, who is considered to be the first Filipino
hero, was a datu.

Blood Compact or Sandugo

The people of the barangay had a harmonious relationship with each other. They had mutual cooperation;
they helped one another in times of need. Also, they gather together to celebrate important occasions in the
barangay.
Relations between barangays could be established through commerce or trade and by entering into a
friendship treaty. The agreement between the datus of the barangays was further strengthened by a blood
compact or sandugo. This ritual was to be performed by the two leaders in an agreed place with their people
as witnesses.
Each leader would inflict wound in his arm and pour his blood into a vessel or a cup filled with wine, and both
leaders would drink from it as a sign of unity. In participating in the blood compact was also an act of
submission by the leaders to the law of each one’s barangay.

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 The Sultanate

The sultanate was a type government established by the Muslims in Mindanao. The first one was
established in the Province of Sulu, others were founded in the provinces of Cotabato and Lanao. A
sultanate was composed of the least ten villages and was headed by a sultan.
A sultan had executive, legislative, and judicial duties. Also, it was his duty to promote the welfare of
his people/ he led them in battles as well as in practicing their faith, like praying in the mosque,
reading the Qur’an, the holy book of the Muslims and performing other religious activities.
A man could become a sultan in two ways. One was to inherit the position. As Muslim believed, the
sultan should come from the line of the prophet Muhammad. People would easily follow such leader
out of respect for the prophet and his descendants. The other way to become a sultan was by wealth.
The riches man in the country could be a sultan.

The first sultanate was established in sulu

DID YOU
under the leadership of Sharif Abu Bakr. KNOW?
Jamalul Kiram II was the last sultan before
the Sulu sultanate was dissolved in 1915
under the Carpenter Agreement wherein
the government of Sulu then came under
the control of the American Government.

Social Ranks in the Early Times

In the early times, the society as divided into three groups, namely, the Maharlika, the Timawa, and
Alipin. The MAHARLIKA was the highest rank. Belonging to this rank were datu, rajah, sultan, and their
wives called Dayang or lakambini, as well as their family and kin. The Maharlika in Katagalugan was
usually called Gat or lakan; Muslims called the Maharlika, Sultan.
The TIMAWA or Malaya is the second highest Rank. It included traders, warriors, and other
commoners that were born free or were freed from slavery. Like the Maharlika, the Timawa had
some privileges. A person of the timawa rank did not have to pay taxes. He was allowed to interact
with the Maharlika. He could own land, property, and even slaves. Also, he could choose his own
means of livelihood. However, he had to provide assistance to the datu whenever needed.
The ALIPIN was the lowest rank. Natives became alipin for several reasons. They were born to parents
of the same rank or were captives of war, they failed to pay their debts or they committed crimes and
thus were sentenced to become alipin.
There are two kinds of alipin, namely, the aliping namamahay, and the aliping sagigilid. Between
them, the aliping namamahay was a higher rank. He owned a house and property. He served the datu
during harvest, house building, or whenever his help was needed. On the other hand, the aliping
sagigilid had no house or property. He served the household of the Maharlika or timawa, and he was
considered as their property. Back then, a person’s status was not permanent. One could persevere to
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improve or raise his or her status. On the other hand, one could lose his or her status if he or she di
something wrong, like breaking a law.

The Laws

During the early times, the laws were either written or passed on by word of mouth. The written laws
were made by the datu with the help of the council of elders. Whenever there was a new law, the
umalohokan or town crier went around the barangay to bring news to everyone. An example of such
written laws is the Luwaran of the Muslims.
On the other hand, the unwritten laws were upheld by customs and traditions. They were strictly
enforced in the barangay. The lives of our ancestors revolved around their laws. With those laws as
guide, they maintained peace and order and harmony in the Barangay. The laws were clear about the
rights and duties of each number of the barangay so that any conflict arising from greed could be
avoided.
The Means of Livelihood of Early Filipinos

Long before the Spaniards came, farming was one of the primary means of our ancestors. They used
the vast lands to raise major crops, such as rice, corn, coconut, sugarcane, banana, and root crops.
They also used the mountain ranges for farming. A good piece of evidence is the Banaue Rice
Terraces.
Without a doubt, fishing was another means of livelihood of the early Filipinos because of the
abundant seas surrounding the islands. They caught seafood using trap, spear, and hook. Also, they
dived for pearls, corals, and shells, and used them for trade.
Hunting in the forest was also a means of livelihood of the early Filipinos. They caught wild animals
like deer, wild pigs, and different kinds of birds using arrows, spear, daggers, and trap.
Our ancestors were also knowledgeable about building boats used for traveling on water. They made
boats using sturdy woods from the forests. This is the same woods they used to trade and war.
Furthermore, our ancestors had some knowledge of mining. They dug for gold, silver, copper, and
other minerals which they used for making decorations and jewelry. These were used for trade with
foreigners.

System of Land Ownership in the early times

During the stone age, our ancestors lived a nomadic lifestyle. They had no permanent homes. They
moved from one place to another in search for food, and they stayed in places where the weather
conditions were suitable enough for their needs. Eventually, our ancestors came to settle
permanently. When they did, everyone owned land. A person could claim ownership to the land if he
cleared and cultivated it. If he owned it, he could sell it or bequeath it to his kin.

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Name: Date Submitted: / /2021
Grade/Section: Subject: ARALING PANLIPUNAN 5

Write B on the line if the statement describes the barangay. Write S if it describes the sultanate.
1. the elders helped the leaders make decisions.
2. it consisted of thirty to one hundred families.
3. it consisted of ten or more villages.
4. the name of this system originated from a Malay word.
5. one of the duties of the leader was to lead his people in religious practices.

Tell what is referred to or describe. Choose your answer from the box. Write letter on the line.
Barangay Raja Qadi Ruma bichara Council of elders Alipin
Panglima Raja Muda Sasanduguan Sultanato

1. this council helps the sultan in leadership.

2. this is the leaders of a community bigger than a barangay.
3. he is one of those who assists the sultan in religious activities.
4. this is a ritual that symbolizes friendship and brotherhood.
5. this was the lowest rank in the society of the early Filipinos.
6. this person represents the sultan in faraway places.
7. this is composed of 30 to 100 families led by a Datu.
8. this group helps the Datu in decision making and lawmaking.
9. he is the heir to sultan’s throne.
10. this is the type of government established by the Muslims.

LESSON 2: BELIEFS, TRADITIONS, AND PRACTICES OF EARLY FILIPINOS

 At the end of this lesson, you will make a documentary about the origins of the Philippines and
the early Filipinos as well as their government and society. Through this documentary, you will

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 express how proud you are in learning how your country and people came to be and how the
early Filipinos lived.
 You will also answer this essential question: What are the contributions of the early Filipinos to
the establishment of the Filipino society and Filipino identity?

BELIEFS OF THE EARLY FILIPINOS

The early Filipinos had a rich culture. They learned it from adapting to their place and other people. It
influenced their everyday lives. It is reflected in some of their beliefs, traditions, and different forms of
arts and architecture.

Pagan Beliefs
Our ancestors had pagan beliefs, which involved the worship of nature like the sun, stars, trees, and
animals. Also, they worshipped a number of gods, called anito in Tagalog or diwata in Bisaya. They offered
prayers and food to the anito or diwata for the fulfillment of their wishes and for prosperity. Our ancestors
believed in the most powerful which was Bathala. Also, they worshipped other gods like Idiyanale, god of
agriculture; Sidapa, god of death; Balangaw, god of rainbow; Mandarangan, god of war; Agni, god of fire;
Magwayen, god of other world; Lalahon, god of harvest; Diyan Masalanta, god of love; Dal'lang, god of
beauty; and Kidul, god of thunder; and others.

DID YOU
KNOW?
There were other deities worshipped in other parts or regions of the Philippines. Among them were
Lakampati, the god of harvest of the Tagalog people; Apolaki, the god of war of the Pangasinan people;
Malyari, the god of power and strength of the Zambal people; and Poko, the god of the sea of the
Tagbanua people.

Islamic Beliefs
Islam, the religion of Muslims, is monotheistic-that is, Muslims believe in
only one God. Muslims call God "Allah," and Mohammed, the founder of
Islam, is Allah's prophet. The Islamic teachings are built on five pillars of
truth, also called the pillars of Islam. The shahada, the first pillar, is the
Muslim profession of faith that there is no other god than Allah and that
Mohammed is Allah's prophet. Salat, the second pillar, is prayer.
Muslims pray five times a day, facing in the direction of Mecca. Zakat,
the third pillar, is the giving of alms to the needy. Saum, the fourth pillar,
is fasting from sunrise until sunset during the month of Ramadan. Hajj,
the fifth pillar, is the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a life time. A
Muslim man who has been able to perform the Hajj has the title Hajji. A
Muslim woman who has made the pilgrimage can use the title Hajjah.
QUR’AN

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Muslims have a place of worship called a mosque or masjid. The primary source of their faith is the
holy book Qur'an, which is composed of 114 surah or chapters written in poetic form and in Arabic
language. Whatever their culture or country is, Muslims belong to a larger community called ummah.
Islam is part of Filipino heritage. It has a great influence on the lives of Filipino Muslims, who live
mostly in Mindanao. In accordance with the teachings of Islam, Muslims do not eat pig's meat or
blood because both are considered unclean, Muslim men are allowed to practice polygamy; they can
have four or more wives as long as they can support their families. Also, they are allowed to divorce
their wives. Muslims in the country celebrate religious festivals, such as Hari Raya Puasa, a day of
thanksgiving which signals the end of the month of Ramadan; Nipso, the counterpart of All Souls' Day
of the Christians; and Maulud, the day of birth of Mohammed.

SPREAD OF ISLAM IN THE PHILIPPINES

An Arab scholar named Sharif Makhdum is believed to have founded Islam in Malaysia in the middle
of the fourteenth century. In 1380, he went to Sulu and spread the teachings of Islam.
In 1390, Rajah Baginda, a leader in Menangkabaw, Sumatra, arrived in Sulu together with his
warriors. He defeated the people of Sulu and established a community there. He married a native
princess, and their marriage further strengthened the Islam faith in the area. In 1450, Abu Bakr
arrived. He married Paramisuli, the daughter of Rajah Baginda. Abu Bakr is the founder of the
sultanate in Sulu and was recognized as the first Sultan of Sulu. After living for 30 years, he died in
1480. Sharif Kabungsuan arrived from Johore with his people and propagated Islam in Maguindanao
in 1475. He and his people persuaded many tribes to convert to Islam, and he married Putri Tuñina, a
native princess. Sharif Kabungsuan then established a sultanate in Maguindanao. Islam easily spread
even in some areas of Visayas and Luzon. However, the propagation of Islam slowed down with the
arrival of the Spaniards

DID YOU
KNOW?
Long before the Spaniards came to the Philippines, Rajah Sulayman, the last ruler of Manila, and
Lakandula, the last ruler of Tondo, were Muslims.

TRADITION OF EARLY FILIPINOS

The early Filipinos were known for their own style of clothing, arts, architecture, and superstitious
beliefs. these reflects individually and identity.
ARTS AND ARCHITECTURE
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The artistry of the early Filipinos is reflected in their equipment and weapons. Our ancestors carved
decorations on common weapons like knives, machetes, and spears. They The early Filipinos made
decorations using variety of precious stones. They learned to carve images on bone, wood, ivory, or
even animal horns, and they used these as home decor. Our ancestors also wore clothes with
embroidery and in a variety of colors. Such style of clothing can still be seen in the traditional
costumes of the Igorot of Luzon and other tribes in Mindanao. The early Filipinos had knowledge of
architecture. Their knowledge is reflected in the structure of their homes like the bahay-kubo. It is a
nipa hut which is made of light materials like reeds, straw, and bamboo. The nipa hut was built using
those materials because of the hot climate. This home of the
early Filipinos had large windows to let the air flow freely inside the house. The Filipino family slept
and ate in only one room of the house. The nipa hut had a batalan where everyone bathed and
washed things. Its lower part (silong) was used as a shelter for animals and for food storage.
Other Beliefs
The early Filipinos had had many beliefs that served as guide in their everyday lives. They believed in
superstitions in an attempt to explain what was happening in the environment. For instance, they had
superstitions about things that might happen when the dogs howled or when lizards made clicking
sounds.
Besides Bathala, which they believed to be the most powerful god, they also believed in gods called
anito. They believed that anitos were the spirits or souls of dead relatives who continued to live with
them. Anito lived in nature like trees, mounds, and dark or hidden places.
The early Filipinos believed in the afterlife. They thought that the soul never dies, so they highly
valued the memories of their deceased loved ones. To keep their memories, the early Filipinos
engraved the pictures of the deceased on stones, gold, or ivory. continued to live with them. Anitos
lived in nature like trees, mounds, and dark or hidden places. p/u Also, they put their dead in a
wooden coffin or in a large earthen jar together with some important things that the dead needed in
journeying to the afterlife, like food, clothes, and gold. The family showed their deep sorrow by
mourning for the dead. The people from Luzon showed their grief by wearing white. Also, they hire
grievers who cry while reciting the good deeds of the dead loved one.