Preface of Pigafetta’s Relation

Purpose of the Volume

●​ This volume, along with its succeeding part, presents various historical documents,
including Antonio Pigafetta’s Relation of the First Circumnavigation of the World.
●​ The inclusion of Pigafetta’s account is due to its first-hand perspective, offering
unparalleled value in documenting Magellan’s expedition.
●​ The original Italian manuscript is published alongside an English translation,
maintaining the peculiarities of the original text.
●​ The extensive annotations draw from key historical sources, such as:
○​ Mosto’s annotated edition (Raccolta di documenti e studi, 1894)
○​ Navarrete’s Colección de viages (1837)
○​ Publications of the Hakluyt Society
○​ F. H. H. Guillemard’s Life of Ferdinand Magellan (1891)
●​ Facsimiles of Pigafetta’s original charts are included.
●​ Specially designed characters are cast to accurately represent the original
manuscript’s linguistic peculiarities.

Pigafetta’s Background and Motivation

●​ Pigafetta, a knight of Rhodes, first learns of Magellan’s expedition while in Barcelona

in 1519
●​ He secures permission to join the fleet at Seville, eager to explore the world.

The Expedition’s Early Journey (1519-1520)

●​ Departure: August 10, 1519, from Seville aboard five ships.

●​ San Lucar de Barrameda: Fleet anchors until September 20, 1519.
●​ Canary Islands: Reached on September 26; fleet resupplies and departs on October 3.
●​ Brazilian Coast: Fresh provisions secured; first encounters with indigenous
people—despite their cannibalistic nature, they are hospitable and engage in trade.
●​ Rio de la Plata: Native inhabitants flee at the sight of the ships.
●​ Bay of St. Julian (Patagonia): Five-month winter stay:
○​ Encounters with giant Patagonians, whom Magellan captures for Spain (both
die before the journey’s end).
○​ Mutiny led by Juan de Cartagena due to resentment toward Magellan’s
Portuguese heritage—swiftly suppressed.
○​ Shipwreck of the Santiago, though all crew members survive.

The Strait and the Pacific (1520-1521)

 ●​ Strait of Magellan: Discovered on October 21, 1520, proving Magellan’s unwavering
determination.
●​ Desertion of San Antonio: The ship returns to Spain after mutineers imprison its
captain, Álvaro de Mesquita.
●​ Pacific Voyage: Begins November 28, 1520; the fleet suffers from scurvy, famine, and
thirst.
●​ The Ladrones (Marianas): Sighted after three months of sailing, but natives prove to
be thieves, stealing from the ships.

Arrival in the Philippines (March 1521)

●​ March 16, 1521: First European sighting of the Philippine archipelago (San Lazaro).
●​ March 18, 1521: First friendly contact with locals; gifts exchanged.
●​ Limasawa Island (March 28, 1521):
○​ First blood compact with local rulers.
○​ First Catholic mass in the Philippines.
●​ April 7, 1521: Arrival in Cebu; initial trade negotiations with the ruler.
●​ April 14, 1521: Mass baptism of Cebu’s ruler, chiefs, and people.
●​ Magellan gifts an image of the Santo Niño to the queen, which later becomes a
significant religious artifact in Cebu.

Religious Influence and Local Politics

●​ Magellan secures allegiance from Cebu’s ruler and spreads Christianity rapidly.
●​ Rival chiefs submit under Magellan’s authority, solidifying Spanish influence.
●​ Tensions arise due to Magellan’s alliance with Cebu, leading to future conflicts.

Significance of Pigafetta’s Narrative

●​ First European documentation of Philippine culture, traditions, and languages.

●​ Rich linguistic records, including indigenous Visayan words.
●​ Invaluable firsthand account of the first circumnavigation, the expedition’s
hardships, and the historical encounters that shaped early European-Asian
interactions.

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—--TO—--

Here's a detailed and structured highlight of Antonio Pigafetta's account of the first voyage
around the world. This version maintains the storyline while emphasizing key events and adding
depth to the descriptions.

Antonio Pigafetta’s Account of the First Voyage Around the World

A Detailed Summary and Highlighted Events

1. Introduction and Purpose of the Account

Antonio Pigafetta, a Venetian patrician and knight of Rhodes, wrote this account for Philipo de
Villers Lisleadam, the Grand Master of Rhodes. He wished to document the extraordinary
experiences and hardships he endured during the expedition. Having been in the Spanish court
in 1519, he became intrigued by discussions about the marvels of the Ocean Sea and sought to
witness them firsthand.

Upon learning about a fleet of five ships preparing to explore the spice-rich Moluccas under the
command of the renowned Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan (Fernando de
Magallanes), Pigafetta secured letters of recommendation and traveled from Barcelona to
Seville. After three months of preparation in Seville, he joined the expedition, eager for
adventure and historical recognition.

2. The Voyage Begins: Seville to Sanlúcar de Barrameda

●​ On August 10, 1519, the fleet, consisting of 237 men from different nationalities, set
sail from Seville.
 ●​ The ships navigated the Guadalquivir River (formerly known as the Betis River) and
passed by Joan del Farax, a village with remnants of a once-grand Moorish bridge. The
river was treacherous due to submerged ruins that could damage ships.
●​ They arrived at Sanlúcar de Barrameda, a crucial port at the river’s mouth, where final
provisions were secured.
●​ Magellan insisted that all crew members confess their sins and forbade women from
joining the voyage to maintain discipline.

3. The Fleet’s Journey to the Canary Islands

●​ September 20, 1519: The fleet departed from Sanlúcar and headed southwest.
●​ September 26, 1519: They reached Tenerife, part of the Canary Islands, where they
replenished supplies of fresh meat, water, and wood.
●​ Moved to a location called Monte Rosso to collect pitch for waterproofing the ships.

Strange Phenomenon:​
Pigafetta described a peculiar island in the Canaries where no natural water sources existed.
Instead, a mysterious tree collected moisture from clouds, producing enough water to sustain
people and animals.

4. Crossing the Equatorial Waters: Harsh Conditions and Superstitions

●​ October 3, 1519: The fleet sailed into the open Atlantic Ocean, passing Cape Verde
and the coast of Guinea (Ethiopia at the time).
●​ They faced relentless storms, strong headwinds, and extreme heat. The ships were
battered, forcing the crew to lower the sails to prevent destruction.
●​ The region experienced sixty days of continuous rain, contradicting ancient beliefs
that the equatorial line was a region of unbearable dryness and heat.
●​ Enormous sharks (tiburones) surrounded the ships. The crew caught some using iron
hooks, but they were only edible when small.
●​ The crew suffered from drenching rain, oppressive heat, and terrifying ocean
currents.

Appearance of St. Elmo’s Fire

●​ Amidst a fierce storm, the crew witnessed the holy apparition of St. Elmo’s Fire,
described as a glowing light atop the mast.
●​ The divine sign lasted two hours, providing immense relief to the frightened sailors.
●​ When the light vanished, it shone so brightly that the men were temporarily blinded for
several minutes.
 ●​ Miraculously, the storm ceased instantly, strengthening their belief that the
phenomenon was a divine blessing.

5. Magellan’s Leadership and Navigation System

●​ Magellan kept his ultimate route a secret to prevent dissent among the Spanish
captains, many of whom resented him for being Portuguese.
●​ To maintain formation at night, he devised a signal-light system using torches and
lanterns at his ship’s stern:
○​ 1 Light → Confirmation that all ships were following.
○​ 2 Lights → Change of course.
○​ 3 Lights → Lower the bonnet sail for speed.
○​ 4 Lights → Strike all sails due to bad weather.
○​ Firing a mortar → Indication of land or shallow waters.
●​ The fleet followed a strict three-watch system at night, rotating leadership among the
captain, pilot, and master.

Key Themes in Pigafetta’s Account

1.​ Courage and Hardship → The sailors endured severe storms, starvation, and illness.
2.​ Religious Faith → The appearance of St. Elmo’s Fire reassured the men of divine
protection.
3.​ Magellan’s Leadership → His secretiveness and strict discipline kept the fleet in order
despite internal conflicts.
4.​ Scientific and Cultural Observations → Pigafetta documented unique geographical
phenomena, such as the mysterious water tree in the Canaries.

This detailed account highlights Pigafetta’s firsthand experience of the world’s first
circumnavigation. His observations provide valuable insights into the dangers, struggles, and
wonders encountered during this legendary voyage.

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—--TO—--

Highlighted and Detailed Narrative of the Travelogue

Discovery of Unique Birds and Marine Life

During our journey, we encountered extraordinary bird species, including one that lacked an
anus, and another where the female laid its eggs on the back of the male, where they hatched.
Another peculiar species, known as Cagassela, survived solely on the excrement of other birds,
often chasing them until they defecated, immediately seizing the waste as food. Additionally, we
witnessed large schools of flying fish, which, when gathered, resembled a floating island.

Crossing the Equinoctial Line and Reaching the Land of Verzin

After crossing the equinoctial line, we navigated south-southwest and arrived at the land of
Verzin (Brazil), situated at 23.5 degrees south latitude. This fertile land provided us with
abundant supplies, including fowls, potatoes (batate), sugarcane, and sweet pineapples,
which were undoubtedly the most exquisite fruit ever tasted.

The bartering system in Verzin was remarkable—

●​ One fishhook or knife could be exchanged for five to six chickens.

●​ One comb was worth two geese.
●​ One mirror or pair of scissors was equivalent to a large number of fish sufficient for
ten men.
●​ One playing card (king of diamonds) fetched six fowls, with the natives believing they
had outwitted us.

We arrived on St. Lucy’s Day, where the sun was at its zenith, causing greater heat than when
we were at the equinoctial line.

Description of the People and Their Customs

The land of Verzin was larger and richer than Spain, France, and Italy combined, yet it
belonged to the King of Portugal. The people were non-Christian, lived naturally, and reached
the ages of 125 to 140 years. They went completely naked and lived in large communal
houses called boii, housing up to 100 men, their wives, and children. These dwellings had
hammocks (amache) hanging from beams, with fires burning beneath them.
Their canoes were made from massive tree trunks, skillfully hollowed with stone hatchets. They
navigated these vessels using broad paddles, resembling furnace shovels, and when rowing,
their black, naked, and shaven bodies appeared like denizens of the Stygian marsh.

One of their most gruesome customs was cannibalism, originating from an old woman’s
vengeance for her slain son. This practice became a mutual tradition among enemy tribes.
They did not consume the entire body at once; instead, they smoked the flesh and ate small
portions weekly to remind them of their foes.

The men were clean-shaven, pulling out their beards, and painted their bodies with intricate
designs using fire. They adorned themselves with parrot-feather garments, including a large
feathered arrangement at their buttocks, making for a peculiar sight. Additionally, they
pierced their lower lips with three holes, inserting finger-sized stones.

Interaction with the Explorers

The Verzin people possessed a vast number of parrots, often trading eight or ten for a
single mirror. They also owned tiny, lion-like yellow monkeys, which were exquisitely
beautiful. Their swine were unusual, having navels on their backs, and their large birds had
spoon-like beaks with no tongues.

While they traded their daughters as slaves for mere hatchets or knives, they adamantly
refused to part with their wives for any price. Their women were fiercely loyal, only engaging
with their husbands at night. These women tilled the land and transported provisions in
baskets atop their heads, always accompanied by armed husbands who carried bows and
arrows.

The natives’ reverence for Christianity was evident when Mass was celebrated twice; they
knelt in deep devotion, hands clasped, providing a profound spiritual experience. They
even constructed a house for us, assuming we would reside among them. Upon our
departure, they gifted us an abundance of brazilwood.

Superstitions and Unique Beliefs

A long drought had plagued Verzin, but when we arrived, it rained. The natives believed we
were celestial beings who had brought the rain. They also assumed that our small boats
were the offspring of our ships, believing the ships gave birth to them when lowered into the
sea.

A particularly bizarre event occurred when a young native woman boarded our flagship.
Spotting a long nail, she joyfully inserted it into her vagina before departing—a shocking
spectacle witnessed by the captain-general and myself.

The Cannibalistic Giants of Canibali

Moving further south to 34.3 degrees, we reached a freshwater river inhabited by
cannibals, who were remarkably tall. One giant boarded our flagship and had a voice akin to
a bull. His people, however, fled inland, fearing us.

We later pursued them, but despite our running, their massive strides allowed them to
escape easily. This region, once thought to be a passage to the South Sea, was instead a
river mouth spanning 17 leagues.

Johan de Solis, a Spanish explorer, and 60 of his men had previously been devoured by
these cannibals due to their overconfidence.

Encounters with Gigantic Sea Creatures

Continuing toward the Antarctic Pole, we anchored at two islands teeming with geese and
sea-wolves.

●​ The geese were so numerous that we loaded five ships in one hour. They were black,
non-flying, and so fat that they were skinned rather than plucked.
●​ The sea-wolves resembled calves in size, with round ears, large teeth, and webbed
feet akin to human hands. Despite their ferocity, their inability to run on land made
them easily hunted.

During a violent storm, the three holy bodies—St. Elmo, St. Nicholas, and St.
Clara—miraculously appeared, leading to an abrupt end to the tempest.

Encounter with the Patagonian Giants

At 49.5 degrees south, we anchored in a safe port for winter. After two months, we saw a
giant native, dancing and tossing dust upon his head. When approached, he gestured
toward the sky, assuming we were celestial beings.

He was twice our height, with red-painted cheeks featuring two heart-shaped designs,
yellow eye markings, and white-painted hair. He wore animal skins, with shoes made from
the same hides. His weapons included a short, sturdy bow with arrows tipped in black
and white flint.

The captain-general presented him with gifts, including a mirror. Upon seeing his reflection,
he leaped back in terror, knocking several of us down. Later, he and several of his people
joined us on our ships, dancing and lifting their fingers skyward.

Final Reflections

As our journey continued, these encounters with remarkable peoples, uncharted lands, and
extraordinary creatures deepened our understanding of the world, proving that its mysteries
far surpassed our imaginations.
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—--TO—--

Detailed Account of the Encounters and Events in Patagonia

The Capture of the Giants

A fortnight after our initial encounter, we saw four more giants, though this time they had hidden
their weapons in the bushes, as indicated by the two whom we had captured earlier. Each giant
was painted in a unique manner, their bodies adorned with striking patterns. The
captain-general, using a cunning trick, captured the two youngest and best-proportioned
giants with the intent of bringing them back to Spain.

To subdue them, he offered an assortment of trinkets—knives, scissors, mirrors, bells, and

glass beads—which the giants eagerly accepted, their hands overflowing with gifts. At this
moment, the captain introduced iron manacles, which fascinated them due to their metallic
sheen. When they struggled to carry all the gifts, he gestured to fasten the manacles on their
feet, under the guise of assisting them. The giants, not suspecting any deceit, nodded in
agreement. As the cross bolt was driven home, they realized the trick but were too late to
resist. In a desperate rage, they called upon Setebos, their deity, for aid, but they remained
bound.

Attempt to Retrieve a Giant’s Wife

Meanwhile, the other two giants were also bound, though one managed to free his hands
and escape swiftly, disappearing from sight. He returned to his people but found that one of
his companions had gone hunting. Upon learning of the capture, the remaining giant fought
back fiercely but, after being wounded on the head, reluctantly led our men to the location of
the women.

As night approached, the commander, Gioan Cavagio, refused to bring back the woman
immediately and instead decided to spend the night in the area. However, at dawn, the other
two giants arrived, suspicious upon seeing their companion wounded. The women, upon
hearing their words, fled in terror, leaving all their possessions behind. In the ensuing
chaos, two giants attempted to fight back with arrows, one of which struck and killed a
member of our crew instantly. Despite having muskets and crossbows, our men found it
impossible to hit the giants, who moved with extraordinary speed, leaping unpredictably.
After burying their fallen comrade, our men burned all the giants’ abandoned possessions.

The Giants' Strange Customs

The Patagonian giants practiced unusual self-healing rituals. Instead of purging when feeling ill,
they would thrust arrows down their throats, vomiting a greenish substance mixed with blood,
which they attributed to consuming a specific thistle. For headaches, they cut themselves
across the forehead, believing that releasing blood alleviated pain. They dressed in animal
skins and bound their bodies tightly due to the extreme cold.

Their beliefs were equally fascinating: upon death, demons painted in various colors
appeared, dancing around the deceased. The tallest and most prominent among them,
Setebos, was described by one captured giant as having two horns, long hair reaching the
feet, and the ability to breathe fire from both mouth and buttocks. The Patagonians painted
themselves in the exact manner of the demons they claimed to see.

Treachery in the Fleet

During our five-month stay in Port of Santo Julianno, tensions within our fleet escalated. A
conspiracy emerged to assassinate the captain-general, led by Johan de Cartagena,
Alouise de Mendosa, Anthonio Cocha, and Gaspar de Cazada. Upon discovery, the
conspirators faced severe punishments: the overseer was quartered, the treasurer killed by
dagger blows, and Gaspar de Cazada banished along with a priest to Patagonia. The
captain-general chose not to execute Cazada due to his royal appointment by Emperor Don
Carlo.

Additionally, tragedy struck when the ship “Sancto Jacobo” was wrecked during an
exploration mission. Miraculously, all crew members survived, though they endured severe
hardships on their journey back to us. They walked for four days without fresh water, relying
solely on ice for hydration. The journey was marked by rough terrain, filled with thorny paths
and treacherous landscapes.

Discovery of the Strait of Magellan

Leaving Port of Santo Julianno, we encountered a fresh-water river where we nearly perished
due to violent storms. We remained there for two months, gathering provisions. Before
departing, the entire crew confessed and received communion, strengthening our resolve as
Christians.

Sailing further south, we discovered the legendary strait on October 21, the Feast of the
Eleven Thousand Virgins. This passage, stretching 110 leagues (440 miles), was flanked by
towering mountains capped with snow. Many doubted its existence, but the captain-general,
relying on a secret map he had once seen in the Portuguese treasury, remained steadfast
in his course.
Mutiny and Desertion

The ship “Sancto Anthonio” betrayed us, fleeing back to Spain. Led by Stefan Gomes, who
had long harbored resentment towards the captain-general, the mutineers overpowered and
imprisoned the ship’s captain, Alvaro de Meschita, and sailed away. Tragically, one of the
captured giants perished aboard the ship, succumbing to the heat.

Despite this setback, we pressed on, finding a cape that opened into the Pacific Ocean. The
captain-general, overwhelmed with joy, named it Cape Dezeado (Cape Desire), as it was a
long-sought prize. A system was devised to leave banners and buried messages to guide any
lost ships back on course, ensuring we would not remain permanently separated.

Had we failed to find this passage, the captain-general intended to push as far south as 75
degrees, venturing deeper into the Antarctic Circle. We observed that in this latitude, summer
nights lasted only three hours, confirming accounts of the extreme polar regions.

Final Departure into the Pacific

With the strait secured, we marked our passage by planting a cross on a hilltop, signifying
that this land now belonged to the King of Spain. The Strait of Patagonia, as we called it,
offered abundant resources—safe ports, fresh water, excellent wood, plentiful fish, and
wild herbs. Though our journey was fraught with peril, we emerged victorious, charting a
course into the great and unknown Pacific Ocean.

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—--TO—--

The Journey Across the Pacific and the Encounters with Indigenous Peoples

The giant we had on our ship communicated with me when he saw me writing. He understood
the connection between speech and symbols and responded when I asked him for words.
However, when I made the sign of the cross, he reacted fearfully, crying out "Setebos" and
indicating that this act would invite the spirit into my body, causing it to burst. Despite his initial
fear, when he fell sick, he asked for the cross, embraced it, kissed it repeatedly, and desired to
become a Christian before his death. We named him Paulo.

The Pacific Crossing: Hardships at Sea

On Wednesday, November 28, 1520, we exited the strait into the vast Pacific Ocean. The
journey was grueling—three months and twenty days without fresh food. We ate biscuits
infested with worms and soaked in rat urine, drank putrid yellow water, and resorted to chewing
ox hides that had hardened due to exposure. We softened them by soaking them in seawater
for days and roasting them briefly over embers. In desperation, we consumed sawdust from
boards, and even rats became a delicacy, sold at half a ducado each, though still rare to obtain.

Disease ravaged the crew, the worst being a sickness that caused severe gum swelling, leading
to starvation and death. Nineteen men perished, including Paulo and an Indian from Verzin.
Another twenty-five to thirty men suffered from debilitating pain in their limbs. I, by the grace of
God, remained unaffected. We traveled nearly four thousand leguas through the open Pacific,
encountering only two barren islets—"Ysolle Infortunate"—where we found no sustenance but
saw an abundance of sharks.

Navigation Challenges and the Stars

As we sailed, our navigational instruments failed to function accurately due to the weak pull of
the southern hemisphere’s magnetic field. The captain-general ordered an adjustment of the
navigational needle. Amidst the vast ocean, we observed a celestial formation—a cross of five
brilliant stars, perfectly aligned in the western sky. This was the Southern Cross, which guided
our journey.

Encounters with the Islanders: Theft and Retaliation

On March 6, 1521, we discovered three small islands. The inhabitants were skilled thieves,
boarding our ships and taking everything in sight. When they stole our small boat fastened to
the flagship’s stern, the captain-general led forty armed men ashore, burning fifty houses and
several boats while killing seven islanders. In a desperate bid for survival, some of our sick men
requested the entrails of the slain to regain their health.

Despite our overwhelming firepower, the islanders showed remarkable resilience. Even when
crossbow shafts pierced their bodies, they examined the wounds in disbelief before
succumbing. Women wailed and tore at their hair in mourning as our ships departed. We named
these islands "Ladroni," meaning "Islands of Thieves."

The People and Their Culture

These islanders had no ruling authority and lived freely. They were tall, well-built, and had black
hair reaching their waists. The men were bearded and wore small palm-leaf hats, resembling
the Albanians. The women were lighter in complexion and covered only their privates with thin
strips of palm bark. Their houses, built from wood and thatched with banana leaves, were
furnished with woven palm mats, making for soft and comfortable bedding.

Their primary sustenance included coconut, camote (sweet potato), birds, bananas, sugarcane,
and flying fish. They anointed their bodies with coconut and beneseed oil. Though poor, they
were ingenious boatmakers. Their boats, resembling dolphins in motion, had a unique
stabilizing mechanism—wooden outriggers that helped them navigate the waves with
remarkable skill.

Arrival at the Philippine Archipelago

On March 16, 1521, we reached the high land of Zamal (Samar). The next day, the
captain-general chose a nearby uninhabited island for safety, fresh water, and rest. He erected
tents for the sick and slaughtered a sow for them. On March 18, nine islanders approached us
by boat. Their chief, exuding warmth and curiosity, engaged with our captain-general. They
showed signs of joy at our arrival and, after being given gifts—red caps, mirrors, combs, and
bells—offered in return fish, palm wine (uraca), large bananas, and coconuts. They promised to
return in four days with rice and other provisions.

The Significance of the Coconut Tree

The coconut tree was essential to their way of life. From it, they obtained food, wine, oil, vinegar,
and even milk. They collected palm wine by boring a hole in the stalk, from which a sweet but
slightly tart liquid dripped into bamboo containers. The coconut’s outer husk was used for
making ropes, while its hard shell was burned into powder for various uses. The white marrow
inside, tasting like almonds, could be eaten fresh or dried into bread. When left to ferment, the
coconut water became vinegar, and by boiling the putrefied marrow, they produced an oil akin to
butter. A family could sustain itself using two coconut trees alternately for harvesting.

A Friendly Welcome and the Promise of Riches

The islanders of Humunu, whom we met, were welcoming and pleasant. They eagerly shared
information about nearby islands, their names, and their resources. Their own island, Zuluan,
was small but strategically placed. The captain-general took them aboard and showcased
valuable spices—cloves, cinnamon, pepper, ginger, nutmeg, and gold—items they recognized
with excitement. The firing of mortars startled them, but they soon calmed.

Before departing, they reassured us of the richness of the land ahead, where the treasures we
carried could be found in abundance. The island where we rested was named Acquada da li
buoni Segnialli, "The Watering Place of Good Signs," as we found the first indications of gold.
We continued our journey, eager for what lay ahead.

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—--TO—--
Magellan's Encounters in Mazaua: A Detailed Account

On the morning of Holy Friday, the captain-general, Ferdinand Magellan, sent his
interpreter-slave ashore in a small boat to request food from the local king, emphasizing that
they had come as friends, not enemies. In response, the king, accompanied by six to eight
men, personally boarded the Spanish ship, warmly embracing Magellan as a gesture of
goodwill. The king presented gifts: three porcelain jars filled with raw rice, two large orades
(a type of fish), and other offerings. In return, Magellan gifted the king a Turkish-style red
and yellow garment and a fine red cap, while his men received knives and mirrors as tokens
of friendship.

A feast followed, during which Magellan expressed his desire to be casi casi (brothers) with the
king, to which the king readily agreed. To impress the locals, Magellan showcased various
cloths, linens, coral ornaments, and an array of weapons. He even staged a
demonstration of his soldiers' strength, having a fully armed man endure blows from swords
and daggers without harm, leaving the king speechless. Magellan then explained his
navigation through the strait, his many moons at sea, and requested two local men to
accompany him, which the king agreed to.

Upon reaching the shore, the king and his men raised their hands toward the sky, a gesture
mirrored by Magellan's men. The king then led them to a bamboo-covered balanghai, an
impressive vessel measuring eighty palm lengths. Surrounded by warriors armed with
swords, daggers, spears, and bucklers, the Spaniards shared a meal, during which the king
and Magellan performed ceremonial gestures before drinking wine. The meal included
pork and rice, and despite it being Holy Friday, Magellan partook as refusing would have been
offensive. Later, the visitors were taken to the king's stilted palace, where they met his eldest
son, the prince. A platter of roast fish, ginger, and wine was served, and the guests slept on
bamboo mats with leaf-stuffed pillows under the glow of anime resin torches.

At dawn, after a farewell breakfast, the king and his brother, Raia Siaui, accompanied the
Spaniards back to their ship. The king’s island, Butuan and Calagan, was rich in gold, with
dishes and parts of his house adorned with the precious metal. He himself was a striking
figure, wearing silk head coverings, large golden earrings, an embroidered cotton cloth,
and a gold-hilted dagger. His teeth, inlaid with gold spots, added to his grandeur, while he
was perfumed with storax and benzoin.

On Easter Sunday, March 31, Magellan’s priests and men set up an open-air mass. The two
kings, along with about fifty unarmed Spaniards, gathered for the ceremony, dressed in their
finest garments. Gun salutes were fired as a sign of peace. The kings embraced Magellan,
stood beside him during mass, and reverently knelt when the Eucharist was raised. As mass
concluded, Magellan organized a fencing tournament, which greatly entertained the kings. A
large wooden cross, adorned with nails and a crown, was then set up on a mountaintop as
a symbol of Spanish presence and protection. Magellan assured the kings that as long as
they honored the cross, they would be shielded from storms and misfortune.
The kings, when asked about their faith, stated they worshiped nothing but raised their hands
to the sky in reverence to their god, whom they called 'Abba'. Pleased with this, Magellan
pledged to return with a larger force to aid the king against his enemies. The kings
suggested three ports for food supplies—Ceylon, Zubu (Cebu), and Calaghan, with Cebu
being the largest trading hub. Pilots were offered to guide Magellan, but the king later
requested a delay to complete his rice harvest, which Magellan graciously accepted.

During their stay, the Spaniards observed the trading customs of the locals. A native refused
silver and gold coins, insisting only on a knife in exchange for food. Another attempted to
trade a golden crown for glass beads, but Magellan prevented the transaction, wanting to
instill the value of European goods.

The people of Mazaua were heathens, painted and tattooed, wearing minimal clothing—men
in tree-cloth loincloths and women in woven skirts. They were avid drinkers, frequently
chewing areca nuts wrapped in betel leaves with lime, which stained their mouths red. The
island itself was abundant in dogs, cats, swine, fowls, goats, rice, ginger, coconuts,
bananas, oranges, lemons, wax, and gold.

After seven days, Magellan’s fleet departed, passing by five islands: Ceylon, Bohol,
Canighan, Baybai, and Gatighan. The last island, Gatighan, was known for its giant bats as
large as eagles, which the crew hunted and ate, noting that they tasted like chicken. Other
wildlife included doves, parrots, and large black birds that laid eggs the size of a goose’s.

Thus, Magellan's arrival in Mazaua marked a momentous exchange of diplomacy, faith, and
culture, setting the stage for further encounters in the archipelago.

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—--TO—--

Detailed and Highlighted Version of the Events in Cebu

Arrival in Cebu (Zubu) – April 7, 1521

At noon on Sunday, April 7, 1521, Magellan’s fleet entered the port of Cebu (Zubu), passing
by numerous villages where houses were built on stilts above the water. As they approached
the city, Magellan ordered the ships to lower their sails and fire their artillery as a
ceremonial gesture, which instilled fear among the locals.

To establish communication, Magellan sent his foster son along with the interpreter as
ambassadors to the King of Cebu. When they arrived, they encountered a large crowd,
including the king himself, all visibly shaken by the mortars’ sound.

The interpreter explained that this was a customary salute of peace and friendship and that
the artillery had been fired to honor the king. Reassured, the king inquired about their purpose.
The interpreter responded that Magellan was the captain of the most powerful king in the
world and was on a mission to discover Malucho (Moluccas). However, he had diverted to
Cebu upon hearing of its good reputation from the King of Mazaua and wished to trade
for food.

The King of Cebu welcomed them but stated that it was customary for all foreign ships to
pay tribute before trading. As proof, he pointed out a merchant from Siam (Ciama) who had
recently paid tribute in gold and slaves. Magellan’s envoy firmly refused, stating that his
master owed tribute to no one.

A Moro merchant intervened, warning the king that the Spaniards were the same people who
had conquered Calicut, Malacca, and India Major, and should be treated either with great
respect or avoided entirely. The interpreter reinforced the claim that Spain was more
powerful than Portugal, and should the King of Cebu refuse peace, the King of Spain could
send an overwhelming force to destroy him.

Faced with this information, the King of Cebu decided to deliberate with his council and
promised to give an answer the following day. Meanwhile, he offered refreshments, including
various meat dishes and jars of wine, to the Spanish envoys. The King of Mazaua, an ally,
went ashore to speak positively of Magellan to the King of Cebu.

Diplomatic Negotiations – April 8-9, 1521

The following morning, Monday, April 8, Magellan’s notary and interpreter visited Cebu to
meet with the king and his chiefs in an open square. The king inquired whether Magellan
wished him to pay tribute to the Spanish emperor. The notary clarified that tribute was not
required, only peaceful trade.

To formalize their alliance, the King of Cebu proposed a blood compact, requiring Magellan
to send a drop of blood from his right arm as he would do the same. The notary agreed to
the proposal. The king also suggested an exchange of gifts, in which he would offer the first
present.

By Tuesday morning, April 9, the King of Mazaua and a Moro envoy returned to Magellan’s
ships, stating that the King of Cebu was gathering food for them. Later, the king’s nephew
(the prince), along with eight chiefs, the governor, and the chief constable, came aboard
Magellan’s ship to formally establish peace.

Christianization Efforts and Treaty of Peace

Magellan, seated in a red velvet chair, conversed with the prince and the King of Mazaua,
discussing peace and religion.

●​ The prince and chiefs listened intently as Magellan spoke of God, creation, the soul’s
immortality, and the commandment to honor one’s parents.
●​ When asked about royal succession, the chiefs explained that the king had only
daughters, and his eldest daughter’s husband (the prince) would be his successor.
●​ Upon hearing about Christian doctrine, the Cebuano leaders expressed a desire to
convert and requested that men be left behind to teach them the faith.
●​ Magellan explained that he could not leave men immediately but could have them
baptized and promised to bring priests and friars in the future.
●​ The leaders reassured Magellan that they were converting of their own free will, not
out of fear or obligation.
●​ As a sign of goodwill, Magellan offered a suit of armor and encouraged them to
embrace Christianity for greater favor and protection.

After an emotional exchange, Magellan and the prince clasped hands, solemnly vowing
peace between Cebu and Spain. The meeting concluded with a feast where the prince and
King of Mazaua gifted baskets of rice, swine, goats, and fowls to Magellan.

Magellan reciprocated by gifting the prince a fine linen cloth, a red cap, glass beads, and a
gilded drinking cup. To the King of Cebu, he sent a silk robe, a red cap, more beads, and
two golden drinking cups.

Upon receiving the gifts, the king, dressed only in a cotton loincloth and a richly embroidered
headdress, expressed gratitude. He was tattooed with fire, wore gold earrings adorned with
precious gems, and dined on turtle eggs with jars of palm wine. He accepted the Christian
gifts with reverence and listened as Magellan’s men explained the captain’s vision of peace
and faith.

Baptism and Establishment of a Spanish Outpost – April 10-14, 1521

By Wednesday, April 10, the Spaniards sought permission to bury a deceased crew member
and consecrate the burial ground with a cross. The king not only granted permission but
expressed a desire to venerate the cross himself.
Over the next days:

●​ The Spaniards established a trading post under the king’s protection.

●​ The locals exhibited advanced trading skills, using wooden balances, lead
counterweights, and bottomless measuring containers.
●​ The people of Cebu valued gold highly, offering fourteen libras of iron for a single
piece of gold.
●​ The Spaniards restricted the amount of gold taken to prevent reckless trading by
their sailors.

On Saturday, April 13, preparations began for the grand baptism ceremony. A platform was
erected in the square, decorated with fabrics and palm leaves. Magellan assured the king
that artillery fire in the morning would be a celebratory gesture, not an attack.

On Sunday, April 14, forty well-dressed Spanish soldiers disembarked, led by a royal
standard-bearer. When they landed, artillery was fired in salute. Magellan and the king
embraced, marking the formal beginning of Cebu’s Christianization and Spanish
allegiance.

Conclusion

The events in Cebu marked a pivotal moment in Philippine history, with Magellan forging a
temporary alliance with the King of Cebu, initiating the spread of Christianity, and setting
the stage for Spanish colonization. However, this peace would later be shattered due to
Magellan’s overreach and involvement in local conflicts, leading to the Battle of Mactan
and his untimely death.

—---------------—---------------—---------------—---------------—---------------—---------------—----------------

—--TO—--

Baptism Queen Cebu

After the evening feast, the priest, accompanied by several men, disembarked to perform the
baptism of the queen and her entourage of forty women. Upon arrival, the queen was led to an
elevated platform, where she was seated on an embroidered cushion, with the other women
positioned respectfully around her, awaiting the commencement of the sacred ritual. Before the
ceremony, the queen was presented with a striking image of Our Lady, a beautifully crafted
wooden effigy of the Child Jesus, and a towering cross. Overcome with emotion, she fell into
deep reflection, her eyes welling with tears as she expressed her sincere desire for baptism.
Her fervent plea was granted, and she was given the Christian name Johanna, in honor of the
emperor’s mother. Similarly, her daughter, the prince’s wife, was named Catherina, while the
queen of Mazaua was christened Lisabeta. In total, eight hundred souls—including men,
women, and children—embraced Christianity that day.

The queen, a young woman of striking beauty, was clad in a luxurious black and white cloth that
enveloped her form entirely. Her lips and fingernails were painted a deep red, and atop her
head, she wore an elaborate headdress woven from palm leaves, structured in the manner of a
parasol, encircled by a leaf crown reminiscent of a papal tiara. She never ventured anywhere
without this distinctive adornment. As a gesture of devotion, she humbly requested the small
wooden Child Jesus, vowing to cherish it in place of her former idols. With profound gratitude,
she departed after the ceremony.

Later that afternoon, the king and queen, flanked by a grand retinue, approached the shore,
where they were greeted with a dazzling display. At the captain’s command, thunderous bursts
from muskets and mortars resounded, filling the air with smoke and light. The spectacle thrilled
the royal couple and their subjects. In a symbolic act of unity, the captain and King Humabon
referred to one another as brothers. Within the week, the entire island populace, along with
several individuals from neighboring islands, embraced baptism. However, resistance persisted;
one village on an adjacent island defied both the king and the Spaniards, prompting them to
raze it to the ground. In the village’s smoldering remains, a towering cross was erected as a
symbol of conversion. Had the inhabitants been Moros, a stone pillar would have been placed
instead, signifying their greater resistance to the faith.

Throughout those days, the captain-general faithfully attended mass on land and engaged in
earnest discussions with the king regarding Christian teachings. On one occasion, the queen
made a stately procession to mass, preceded by three young girls carrying her ceremonial
headdresses. She wore a flowing black and white robe adorned with shimmering gold-threaded
silk, her head covered by a fine veil. As she approached the altar, she performed the customary
reverence before settling onto a richly embroidered silk cushion. Before the service
commenced, the captain sprayed her and her ladies with musk rosewater, a fragrance they
found exceedingly delightful. Deeply touched by the wooden Child Jesus, the queen eagerly
accepted it from the captain as a sacred replacement for her old idols.

Prior to one mass, the captain arranged a solemn oath-taking ceremony. The king, donning a
silk robe, stood before his people, joined by his kin and nobles, including his brother Bendara,
the prince’s father; another brother, Cadaio; and prominent figures such as Simiut, Sibuaia,
Sisacai, and Maghalibe. Before an image of Our Lady, the captain commanded them to swear
fealty to their king, after which they each kissed his hand. The king, in turn, pledged unwavering
loyalty to the King of Spain. To seal this vow, the captain unsheathed his sword and, with
solemn gravity, declared that one should rather die than break such an oath. The king
acknowledged this with profound respect. As a token of royal dignity, the captain presented him
with a red velvet chair, instructing him to have it carried before him by a close relative wherever
he went. The king, eager to express his gratitude, promised the captain a set of exquisite gold
ornaments—two large earrings, two armlets, and two ankle rings—along with other precious
jewels, the finest adornments worn by the island’s sovereigns. Despite their regal status, they
walked barefoot and dressed simply, draping cloth garments from waist to knee.

One day, the captain confronted the king about the continued presence of idols, despite their
vows of Christian conversion. The king and his people admitted that they had been sacrificing
meat not for themselves but for a gravely ill man—the prince’s brother, renowned for his bravery
and wisdom—hoping the idols would restore his health. The captain assured them that faith in
Christ alone could heal the man. He declared that if the sick man, once baptized, did not
recover, they could execute him immediately. The king, now fully convinced, agreed. With great
ceremony, a procession was held, leading the priests to the dying man’s home. They found him
incapacitated, unable to speak or move. Without hesitation, they baptized him, along with his
two wives and ten young girls. Miraculously, the man spoke at once, proclaiming that, by God’s
grace, he felt rejuvenated. The captain gave thanks to the Lord and provided the man with
almond milk, a mattress, fine linens, a yellow cloth coverlet, and a pillow for comfort. Over the
following days, he was nourished with almond milk, rosewater, oil of roses, and sweet
preserves. Within five days, he had regained the strength to walk. In a display of newfound faith,
he ordered the burning of an idol hidden in his home and the destruction of coastal shrines
where consecrated meat had been consumed. The people, now fervent converts, shouted
“Castilla! Castilla!” as they tore down their former places of worship, vowing to rid the entire
kingdom of idols—even those in the king’s palace.

The island of Cebu was home to many villages, each ruled by their respective chiefs. Among
them were Cinghapola, governed by Cilaton, Ciguibucan, Cimaningha, Cimatichat, and
Cicanbul; Mandaui, under Apanoaan; Lalan, under Theteu; Lalutan, ruled by Tapan; Cilumai;
and Lubucun. All these settlements pledged allegiance to the Spaniards, providing food and
tribute. Nearby, the island of Mactan served as their anchorage, its principal village bearing the
same name. Its chiefs were Zula and Cilapulapu. One rebellious settlement, Bulaia, was
reduced to ashes as a warning to others who might resist Spanish rule.

To honor the sun, the islanders conducted elaborate sacrificial ceremonies. First, the resounding
beats of enormous gongs filled the air. Three large dishes were brought forth—two containing
floral offerings, rice cakes wrapped in leaves, and roasted fish, while the third held Cambaia
cloth and palm-cloth banners. Two elderly women, each wielding bamboo trumpets, stepped
onto a ceremonial cloth and made reverent gestures to the sun. One adorned herself with a
horned kerchief, while the other grasped a banner. As they danced in rhythmic devotion, one
woman simulated drinking a cup of wine before sprinkling it on the bound hog’s heart. She then,
in a sudden motion, drove a lance through the animal, sealing the wound with grass. The other
woman, dipping her trumpet’s end in blood, marked the foreheads of their husbands before they
feasted on the sacred meat, an act reserved solely for women.
These islanders, mostly naked save for palm-cloth coverings, practiced a peculiar custom: men
had their members pierced with golden or tin bolts, which their women insisted upon. Their
meals, lengthy and excessively salted, were accompanied by communal drinking sessions that
lasted several hours. Notably, the women showed remarkable hospitality toward the foreigners,
far exceeding their affections for their own men.