CUSTOMS OF THE TAGALOGS BY
FR. JUAN DE PLASENCIA (1589)
Franciscan friar who ministered in the
Philippines from 1578 until 1590.
Acknowledged as the founder of numerous
towns in Luzon using the method of
reduccion.
- Author of Doctrina Cristian
Word for “Barangay”
It was inferred that the reason for giving themselves this name
arose from the fact that when they came to this land, the head
of the barangay, which is a boat became a datu.
Even at the present day, it is ascertained that this barangay in
its origin was a family of partners and children, relations and
slaves.
Called as “Datu”
Ruled over but few people
30-100 houses
Nobles
Free-born called “maharlica”
Commoners
Called aliping namamahay
Slaves
Called aliping saguiguilid
Maharlica + Maharlica = Maharlica
Maharlica + Slave = Free Child (Mother and Child willbe
free provided he were not her husband.)
Maharlica + Other slave-woman = free if recognized
however becomes wholly slave if not recognized by the
father
An arbiter was unanimously named from another village or barangay, whether he
were a date or not; since they had for this purpose some person known as Fair
and just mean.
Condemned to death a man of low birth who insulted the daughter or wife of a
chief. As for the witches they killed them and their children became slaves of the
chief
All other offences were punished by fines in gold
An excess of usury is a great hindrance to baptism as well as to confession
Debtor is condemned to a life of toil thus borrowers become slaves
In the case of a child by a free married woman, born while
she was married if the husband punished the adulterer
this was considered a dowry
- Adopted children, inherit the double of what was paid for
their adoption.
Given by the men to the women’s parents
In case of divorce before the birth of children, if the wife left the husband for the
purpose of marrying another, all her dowry plus an equal additional amount fell to
the husband.
When the husband left his wife, he lost the half of his dowry. If he possessed
children at the time of his divorce, the whole dowry went to the children.
Death of wife who in a year's time had borne no children, parents returned half of
the dowry to the husband.
Death of husband, half of the dowry was returned to the relatives of the husband
Historical Insight
The document provides a first-hand account of the social, political,
and cultural practices of the Tagalog people during the early Spanish
colonial period. This allows historians to understand the pre-colonial
way of life, governance, religion, and societal norms of the Tagalogs.
Colonial Perspective
It reveals the perspective and biases of a Spanish missionary during
the colonization of the Philippines. Analyzing this document helps in
understanding how Spanish authorities viewed and interacted with
indigenous populations, and how these interactions influenced
colonial policies.
Cultural Documentation
The text serves as an important record of the indigenous practices that
might have otherwise been lost due to the Spanish colonization. It
documents various aspects of Tagalog life, including marriage
customs, burial practices, and religious beliefs, which are crucial for
cultural preservation.
Legal and Political Structures
Plasencia's work views the indigenous systems of governance, such as
the role of the datu (chief) and the barangay (village), offering a
glimpse into the pre-colonial political structures that were later
altered or replaced by Spanish rule.
The "Customs of the Tagalogs" by Fr. Juan de Plasencia (1589) is a
significant historical document that provides invaluable contributions
to the understanding of Philippine history. As one of the earliest
ethnographic records of the Tagalog people, it offers detailed
descriptions of their social, political, and cultural practices prior to
extensive Spanish colonization.
Plasencia's work contributes to the broader narrative of how
indigenous societies were documented, altered, and in some cases,
preserved during the colonial period. This makes it an essential
resource for historians and scholars in understanding the
complexities of Philippine society before and during the early years
of Spanish rule.
