Baranganic Period
I. Barangay/ Balangay
Balangay (Etymology: A Malay word which means boat/sailboat which transported the
Malay immigrants to the Philippines)
(Discovery: In 1976 there were 9 Balangay found in Butuan as the basic proof of their
existence)
-Unit of government which consisted of 30 to 100 families.
-Independent to other Balangay and ruled by a chieftain called Datu or Raha.
-The chieftain collected tax (Buwis) from the people. Family members of a Chieftain are
exempted from tax.
-Blood compact (Sanduguan) It used by Barangays to formed an alliance for Trade,
Peace, and Mutual Protection.
II. Social Classes
1. Nobles (Gat, Lakan, Datu)
-Upper class during pre-colonial period composed of rulers or chiefs.
2. Freemen (Maharlika/Timawa)
-Middle class or working class
3. Slaves (Alipin)
-Lower class during pre colonial period
-An individual became a slave through
a. Captivity
d. Purchase or
b. Debt
e. Commission of a crime
c. Inheritance
-Two Classifications of Slaves:
a. Aliping Namamahay- Had his own house and family
b. Aliping Sagigilid Had no house and lived with his master and could not marry
withou1t the masters consent.
III. Religious Beliefs
-Filipinos beliefs in gods and life after death. The following are the names of gods they
believed in;
1. Bathala Supreme god
IV. Trade and Economic Life
Agriculture was the main source of Filipino sustenance.
Kaingin system- land was cleared by burning shrubs and bushes.
Tillage system- the land was plowed and harrowed then followed by planting.
Barter system (Baligya)- No currency was used in trading. Goods were bought and
sold through exchanges.
Fishing was a common industry because most of the settlements were along rivers and
seas. Mining was another important industry because there are more or less gold in all
the islands.
Shipbuilding and logging were also thriving industries since there are abundance of
thick forests in the archipelago that are rich in hardwoods.
V. Houses
-Made of Bamboo wood and Nipa palm.
-It has Haligi on which it is stand.
-It has a ladder and keep them inside at night.
-There is Batalan for Household work
-Sala is for reception and sleeping area.
-Silid for storage to keep mat, pillows and basket.
Mandayas and Kalingas (Northern Part of the country)
-They made their houses in tree tops.
Badjaos (Sea Gypsies) of Sulu
-Sailboats are typically their houses.
VI. Education
They were taught of Baybayin means to spell. Their alphabet is called Alibata.
Children were primary trained for their survivals
Boys were trained for:
a. Being warriors
d. Fishermen
b. Hunters
e. Miners
c. Farmers
f. Blacksmiths
Girls were trained for:
a. Cooking
d. other household duties
b. sewing
c. weaving
VII. Language
Philippines is known for having many dialects. There are more than 100 languages and
dialects. The major languages are the following;
1. Sugbuhanon-
5. Hiligaynon
2. Tagalog
6. Kapampangan
3. Iloko
7. Maguindanaw
4. Pangasinan
8. Samarnon
Malayo-Polynesian- is called where the languages mentioned are being part of.
VIII. Clothing and Ornaments
Part
Upper part
Male
Kangas- a jacket w/ short
sleeves
Female
Baro or Camisa a jacket
w/ sleeves
Lower part
Bahag- Strip of cloth
wrapped around the waist
and in between the legs.
Saya- made of silk in
matching colors.
Patadyong- saya to the
Bisayans
Tapis which is wrapped
above the waist
Chieftain wore Red Jacket.
Rank officials/ Warriors wore either black or blue jacket.
Putong- is a headgear used by males to indicate the number of persons they
killed.
IX. Early Laws
Two types of Laws during pre-colonial period:
1. Customary customs of the ancestors which were handed down from one generation
to the next.
2. Written- promulgated by the datus and elders.
Major Offenses
1. Insult
2. Murder
3. Sorcery
4. Rape
5. Arson
6. Trespassing
The penalties for major offenses were;
1. Death
2. Slavery
3. Burning to death or
4. Exorbitant Fines
Minor offenses
1. Petty theft
2. Perjury
3. Adultery
4. Cheating in Business dealing
5. Disturbance of peace
The penalties for the minor offenses were;
1. Whipping
2. Exposure to ants
3. Cutting the fingers
4. Swimming for certain number of hours or
5. Small fines
Early laws were made by the datu or chieftain with the assistance of Council of elders.
Umalohokan- was task to announce the new law by roaming around the Barangay.