Asian Influences on the Filipino Culture
Asian Influences on the Filipino Culture
Hindu
Pre-contact period
Before the Spanish period, the archipelagoes of Southeast Asia were under the influence of traders from the Hindu-Malayan culture, such as theMajapahit Empire, which was then supplanted by Islamic :D teaching by Muslims traders from Gujarat, India. Influences from the Indian subcontinent may be traced earlier to before the arrival of the Arabs and the Europeans during the 15th and 16th centuries respectively. The rulers of many of the islands were called Rajas, or Rajahs. An example would be the Visayas, said to be named after the last Southeast Hindu Prince Srivijaya.
Spanish era
Further adherence to Hinduism was superseded by the advent of Islam brought to the archipelago By Indonesian, Malay, and Arab missionaries in the 14th century, as well as the arrival of Christianity with the Spaniards in 1521. It is highly possible however that the Philippines was part of Hindu empires based in Java and in other islands prior to the introduction of these new religions. Local Rajahs gave tribute to such Hindu-Buddhist empires that included Sri Vijaya and Majapahit.
American period
Ancient statues of the Hindu gods were hidden to prevent their destruction by Christians who worshiped a single deity. One such statue, known as 'Golden Tara', is a 4-pound gold statue of an Indo-Malayan goddess found in Mindanao in 1917, which now sits in the Field Museum of Natural Historyin Chicago, and is dated from the period 13th to early 14th centuries. Another gold artifact, this time found on Palawan, is an image of Garuda, the bird who is the mount of Vishnu.
Hinduism today
There is some growth in the religion as of late, although most temples cater to the same communities. Actual adherents of Hinduism are mostly limited to communities that include indigenous and native peoples, expatriate communities, as well as new converts. There are various Hare Krishna groups and popular Hindu personalities and groups such
Hindu
Pre-contact period
Before the Spanish period, the archipelagoes of Southeast Asia were under the influence of traders from the Hindu-Malayan culture, such as theMajapahit Empire, which was then supplanted by Islamic :D teaching by Muslims traders from Gujarat, India. Influences from the Indian subcontinent may be traced earlier to before the arrival of the Arabs and the Europeans during the 15th and 16th centuries respectively. The rulers of many of the islands were called Rajas, or Rajahs. An example would be the Visayas, said to be named after the last Southeast Hindu Prince Srivijaya.
Spanish era
Further adherence to Hinduism was superseded by the advent of Islam brought to the archipelago By Indonesian, Malay, and Arab missionaries in the 14th century, as well as the arrival of Christianity with the Spaniards in 1521. It is highly possible however that the Philippines was part of Hindu empires based in Java and in other islands prior to the introduction of these new religions. Local Rajahs gave tribute to such Hindu-Buddhist empires that included Sri Vijaya and Majapahit.
American period
Ancient statues of the Hindu gods were hidden to prevent their destruction by Christians who worshiped a single deity. One such statue, known as 'Golden Tara', is a 4-pound gold statue of an Indo-Malayan goddess found in Mindanao in 1917, which now sits in the Field Museum of Natural Historyin Chicago, and is dated from the period 13th to early 14th centuries. Another gold artifact, this time found on Palawan, is an image of Garuda, the bird who is the mount of Vishnu.
Hinduism today
There is some growth in the religion as of late, although most temples cater to the same communities. Actual adherents of Hinduism are mostly limited to communities that include indigenous and native peoples, expatriate communities, as well as new converts. There are various Hare Krishna groups and popular Hindu personalities and groups such