Culture of the Early Filipinos

CULTURE OF THE EARLY FILIPINOS


A. Filipinos had a civilization of their own
Various aspects pf civilization came from:
    • The Malays
    • A response to the new environment


B. Social Organization
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    • The 2 types of Alipin:
        1. Aliping Namamahay (higher rank)
        - More freedom, cannot be sold
        2. Aliping Saguiguilid
        - No rights at all

C. Women in the Society (also equal to men)
    • Could own and inherit property
    • Engage in trade and industry
    • Succeed to chieftainship
    • Exclusive right to name their children

D. Lifestyle / Culture
Houses:
    • Built to suit the tropical climate
    • Ancient houses were built with bamboo
    • Some were built in treetops (in times of war)
    • Caves
    • Some built on their boats
Types of Houses:
    • Cottages – Timawa (Built near agriculture lands)
    • Town house – Datu / Maharlika (Also a workplace)

E. Religion
    • Filipinos believed in the immortality of the soul and life after death
    • “Bathala”
    • Lesser gods (Like the forces of nature)
    • Anito
    • Katalonan / Babaylan (priestess): Holds spiritual ceremonies

F. Burial and Mourning Customs
    • Manunggal Jar (Boat with 2 people means that someone will accompany the dead or that someone is taking the dead to a new place)


G. Mode of Dressing
Males:
    • Salakot / Putong (Head dress)
    • Kangan (Shirt)
    • Bahag (Strip of cloth wrapped around the waist)
Females:
    • Baro (Blouse)
    • Saya (Skirt)
    • Tapis

H. Art
    • Sculptures (Anito)
    • Tattoo (painting): The more tattoos, the more enemies killed
    • Weapons (Carvings)
    • Architecture: Nipa hut
    • Artistry: Boats

I. Food
    • Use hands
    • Use leaves as plates
    • Coconut shells for cups

J. Music
    • Gandingan
    • Kudyapi
    • Kaleleng
    • Kulinta

K. Songs
    • Oyayi (Lullabies)
    • Kundiman (Love songs)
    • Folk

L. Dances... [continues]

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