![]() The word datu is a cognate of the Malay terms dato or datuk and to the Fijian chiefly title of ratu. The oldest historical records mentioning the title datu are the 7th century Srivijayan inscriptions such as Telaga Batu to describe lesser kings or vassalized kings. In large ancient barangays, which had contacts with other Southeast Asian cultures through trade, some datus took the title of rajah or sultan. Depending upon the prestige of the sovereign royal family, the title of datu could be equated to royal princes, European dukes, marquesses and counts. Other titles still used today are lakan in Luzon, apo in central and northern Luzon, and sultan and rajah, especially in Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan. The title is still used today, especially in Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan, but it was used much more extensively in early Philippine history, particularly in the regions of central and southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. Terminology ĭatu ( Baybayin: ᜇᜆᜓ) is the title for chiefs, sovereign princes, and monarchs throughout the Philippine archipelago. Proofs of Filipino royalty and nobility ( dugóng bugháw) can be demonstrated only by clear blood descent from ancient native royal blood, and in some cases adoption into a royal family. The titles used by such paramount datu changed from case to case, but some of the most prominent examples were: sultan in the most Islamized areas of Mindanao lakan among the Tagalog people thimuay among the Subanen people rajah in polities which traded extensively with Indonesia and Malaysia or simply datu in some areas of Mindanao and the Visayas. ![]() In such cases, datus of these barangays would then select the most senior or most respected among them to serve as what scholars referred to as a "paramount leader" or "paramount datu". In large coastal polities such as those in Maynila, Tondo, Pangasinan, Cebu, Panay, Bohol, Butuan, Cotabato, Lanao, and Sulu, several datus brought their loyalty-groups, referred to as "barangays" or " dulohan", into compact settlements which allowed greater degrees of cooperation and economic specialization. Only a member of this birthright aristocracy (called " maginoo", " nobleza", " maharlika", or " timagua" by various early chroniclers) could become a datu members of this elite could hope to become a datu by demonstrating prowess in war or exceptional leadership. In early Philippine history, datus and a small group of their close relatives formed the "apex stratum" of the traditional three-tier social hierarchy of lowland Philippine societies. Main articles: Barangay state and History of the Philippines (900-1565) ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |