PRE-COLONIAL  Even before the arrival of the colonizers, early Filipinos had

already encountered and traded with other nationalities like

Background/Introduction:
Chinese, Cambodians, Siamese (Thai people), Malays, Japan,
“What comes to mind if you hear the word precolonial era?” Arab, and Indian merchants. Where the countries trade with
excess goods/ resources.
Before our lesson, we need to be more open-minded and
critical during the discussion. As Constantino warned us in his book - Primitive economies or subsistence economies
that his book consists of the writing of the old chroniclers (a person
 do not allow surpluses (the amount that remains when use or
who writes accounts of important or historical events), he stated that
need is satisfied/ an excess of receipts over disbursement)
they “tended to generalize based on limited observations, disparaged
because these are not geared to exchange and profit. Instead,
native customs and values because these did not conform to Christian
production is to satisfy the immediate needs for direct
norms or offended personal tastes, and consistently viewed pre-
consumption. Excess was granted to a certain extent, but it
Spanish society from the vantage point of the European experience."
was only exchanged for other goods with other groups or
So, as we continue, what you will learn is not the absolute reality; you
within the group. Lastly, the means of production and labor
will only see one dimension (that of the early chroniclers). An example
were controlled and exercised natives themselves. So
of this is that there was no definite number of natives living in the
basically, these are self-sufficient communities. Even those
Philippines before the colonization that is recorded. The estimated
provinces that were rich in gold mines and others have pearl
population in the country based on the book of Zafra (1956) is
oysters; did not extract these resources to amass profit and to
500,000; Constantino (1975) said there were about 750,000 based on
become wealthy. Not all pre-historic societies were farmers;
the census of tributes ordered by Governor Gomez Perez
many of these were foragers (a person or animal who goes out
Dasmariňas. However, the latter is only confined to the lowlands of
in search of food or provisions of any kind). They hunt and
Luzon and Visayas. Corpuz (2005) estimated the population based on
gather food for immediate consumption.
the demographic data, where he estimated that the population ranged
from less than 0.5 million to less than 2 million, with Robles (1969) Additional Info:
claiming that it was “approximately 650,000." Therefore, the
The Philippines' agricultural landscape transformed significantly
population in the Philippines before the colonial period was greater
by the 13th century. Early settlers introduced advanced farming
than these numerical figures.
practices that enabled sustainable food production. One such practice
As we learned from our elementary years, the term barangay was swidden agriculture, where plots were rotated to allow soil
came from the word balangay, known as the Malays' boat, when they recovery and prevent depletion. This method ensured soil fertility
arrived and settled in our country. But another historical account said and prevented erosion.
that when the Malays came to the shores of this archipelago, they
Staple crops were cultivated, including rice, millet, bananas, and
formed a political and social organization, of which this unit and
root crops. Root crops were the most common due to their
pattern is called balangay or barangay (see Zafra, 1956). Barangays
adaptability to various soil types and climates. The Ifugao rice
were headed by chieftains.
terraces, built around 1650 CE, showcased advanced agricultural
techniques adapted to the mountainous terrain. These terraces
demonstrate the ingenuity and resourcefulness of pre-colonial
Economic system
Filipinos in harnessing their environment.
- Traded with other nationalities
Maritime trade routes facilitated the exchange of goods like rice, people in war and settled their disputes according to he
cotton, and abaca with neighboring regions. This exchange traditions handed down from ancestors. These were the main
contributed to the economic development of pre-colonial victims of the colonial order belonging to the 8 major language
societies. groups (Tagalog, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Waray, Bikol, Iloko,
Kapampangan, and Pangasinan who acquired a common
The growth of trade networks stimulated economic development and
identity out of their common colonial experience (Rodil 2004:
cultural exchange. Through their agricultural practices, pre-
23)
colonial Filipinos were able to sustain themselves, trading
 Warrior Societies
excess goods and fostering economic growth.
- also, kinship-bound characterized by distinct warrior
class, in which membership is won by personal
achievements. Such membership entailed privilege, duty and
Social structure prescribed norms of conduct, and its requisite for community
- Egalitarian [Asserting, promoting, or marked by egalitarianism (a leadership.
belief in human equality especially with respect to social, political, and - the people lived by swidden farming (also known as slash-
economic affairs and a social philosophy advocating the removal of and-burn agriculture – is a type of farming that involves cutting
inequalities among people)] and burning vegetation to create a temporary field. The field is
then used for a few years before being abandoned and
 members have a fair share of responsibilities and equal allowed to generate. This type of agriculture is often used in
distribution of resources depending on the local customary areas with little farmland, as it does not require any specialized
practices. equipment or land)
 . For example, among the Igorot hunters, games were shared - Their heirloom wealth necessary for high social status
equally among the members. The person who often hunted big consisted of imports like porcelain, brassware and beads, or
games and was able to feed the people will most likely local manufactures like weapons and goldwork, accumulated
become a leader because of his contribution to the group's through bride price, werfeld and legal fees. These societies
well-being. included many indigenous peoples who have remained
 Historians agreed that societies before the colonial period, in indigenous until today including: the Manobo, Mandaya,
general, had different levels of development. The Muslims in Bagobo, Tagakolo, Blaan, Subanen, Isneg, Kalingas and
the Southern part of the country had higher social and Tingguian.
economic development and were more organized because  Petty Plutocracies
they were able to adopt the institutions of their most advanced - These were those mainly confined to the Cordilleras e.g. the
neighboring regions. This explains why they were able to Ifugao, Bontoc, Kankanay and Ibaloy. Dominated socially
actively resist the colonizers. However, in the course of and politically by a recognized class of rich men who attain
colonization, the Spaniards developed other parts of the membership through birthright, property and the performance
country and stagnated the once-advanced Muslim south. of specified ceremonies; and ‘petty’ because their authority is
localized, being extended by neither absentee landlordism nor
- Five types of communities
territorial subjugation.
 Baranganic Communities  Classless Societies
- consisting of several families acknowledging a common - had no class or group which exerts authority or
origin, ruled by a patriarchal head or datu, who led its advantage over other classes or groups by virtue of
 ascribed or acclaimed status. These included the Ilongot in  governed their respective barangays or confederacies of
Northern Luzon, Katalangan of Isabela, Iklahan of Nueva barangays. They are not absolute rulers because their
Viscaya, Mangyans of Mindoro, Batak of Palawan, Tiruray of authority is based on established laws, customs, and
Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat, Sulod of Panay, Aeta, Eta procedures. The position is attained by an exhibition of
or Ita of Tagalog area, Baluga, Alta or Dumagat (Quezon), Agta strength and traits useful for the survival of the community.
among Isneg, Ata and Magahat in Negros, Ata in Davao and Because of these, rulers or chiefs earned the respect of the
Mamanwa in Augsan-Surigao. people. Despite being the ruler, they still retain their
- are either engaged in farm swiddens or hunt and gather occupation as farmers and do what the rest of the community
forest products for their sustenance, live off fish and turtles. does.
None of them have any concept of land ownership. Products  The number of families or houses in each barangays varies;
of the land are owned by those who grow them and may be the smallest only consist of 20-30 people, others are
alienated or loaned. Fish and game taken in group enterprises composed of 30-100 houses/families with a total population of
are divided equally. 100-500 persons, ruled by datos or maginoos, while there
 Principales who were Islamized communities were also larger political units, these were alliances of
- had upper classes engaged in more or less maritime trade, barangays under rajahs, haris or sultans. These groups of
and enjoyed a certain amount of slave labor. Their elite were people, or the barangay itself, are not political units; instead,
literally defined as a ruling class, for datu is the root of the these are more like social units.
verb, to rule. All other classes were defined in political rather
- Freemen
than economic terms, too – supporter, vassal, slave, etc. – in
contrast to the non-elite of the petty plutocracies who were  who assisted the ruler on matters regarding the community's
simply called poor. welfare.
- These were the Muslim communities considered to be
the most developed communities in the entire archipelago - Dependent
at this time.  dependent population – debt peons. The natives did not use
- Kin-based communities money; instead, they lent and borrowed rice. Rice was so
precious, that lending it entailed both risk and sacrifice. The
 Most of the community members were related to one another borrower had to repay double what he borrowed or more
by blood or marriage; this is called a kin-based community. depending on the local custom. Failure to pay will result in
Hence, there were no concepts of social stratification (Social peonage - meaning the debtor is bound to render service
stratification refers to a society's categorization of its people because of debt. After paying their debts, they are already free
into groups based on socioeconomic factors like wealth, from such servitude.
income, race, education, ethnicity, gender, occupation, social
status, or derived power. It is a hierarchy within groups that
ascribe them to different levels of privileges) and private Political system
ownership because everything is owned collectively, hence
tilling the land is also a collective activity. - Chieftain

- Rulers  Among the main characteristics of the chieftain were the

following:
 – not dictatorial but consult council of elders, not a tyrant, –
should know problems of constituents and help them in their
needs
– ensure that the people live harmoniously and must
encourage peaceful living with neighboring communities – be
equipped with leadership skills
– has a knowledge of customary laws, wisdom and
articulateness, has wisdom
– fair and morally upright
– financially capable, need wealth to appease disgruntled
parties during conflict mediation and in resolving feuds
– brave, possess fighting skills
– generous and selfless
– reliable, emotionally mature, industrious, responsible,
example to community
– not drunkard, not coward, not a thief principled, wise and
good implementar of laws
– must be familiar with the customs and practices of the
community
- Council of elders
 before laws are made, the chief consults with a council of
elders to approved of his plan.
 they are not immediately enforced until the new legislation is
announced to the village by the umalohokan (refers to
the town criers of precolonial barangays in the Philippines.
They were responsible for going around and making people
aware of new laws and policies enacted by the Datu or
chieftain.), they also explain the law to everyone.
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