Barangay: Sixteenth-Century Philippine Culture and Society

by William Henry Scott

This book presents a sixteenth-century Philippine ethnography based on contemporaneous sources. It does not attempt to reconstruct that society by consideration of present Philippine societies, or of features believed to be common to all Austronesian peoples. Nor does it seek similarities with neighboring cultures in Southeast Asia, though the raw data presented should be of use to scholars who might wish to do so. Rather, it seeks to answer the question: What did the Spaniards actually say about the Filipino people when they first met them? It is hoped that the answer to that question will permit Filipino readers today to pay a vicarious visit to the land of their ancestors four centuries ago.

Part 1 describes Visayan culture in eight chapters on physical appearance, food and farming, trades and commerce, religion, literature and entertainment, natural science, social organization, and warfare. Part 2 surveys the rest of the archipelago from south to north.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Indigenous

306 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1994

About the author

William Henry Scott was a historian of the Gran Cordillera Central and Prehispanic Philippines. He personally rejected the description anthropologist as applying to himself.

Reviews

[Angélica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm glad I bought this book. So very glad. *wipes a tear* I've been yearning for a book about pre-colonial Philippine culture before I knew about this. This has now been one of my favorite non-fiction books ever. It's like finding out something about myself that I didn't know prior to reading this book. I know that sounded very cheesy, but it's true. I lament the atrocious handling of elementary Philippine History. And the general attitude of Filipinos towards history. Maybe, if more people here get to read this book, we'd have a better understanding of what we were before the Spaniards came. And maybe reading this could help change their attitude on history. It's such an interesting, educational, and fun read! :D I'm so sorry if this review is so biased, but I love this book. :P

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful views on the lives, culture and traditions of the ethnic tribes in the Philippines as documented by the Spanish friars and scribes. Although it is more descriptive than analytic, it provides one with a general overview of the life in the Philippines prior to the Spanish colonization. Should be read alongside with Morga's Sucesos and Blair & Robertson's book on the Philippine Islands to see consistencies and discrepancies. I would recommend this to any student of pre-Spanish Philippine society and culture.

[Julbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had high hopes for this book. Unfortunately, I was not that satisfied—but still it was a worthy read—so I am only giving it four stars.

This book is the crown jewel of pre-colonial Philippine studies; almost every work written on this subject uses this book as a source. It was my interest in native Philippine heritage which roused my curiosity in this book. I though that this book will narrate pre-colonial Philippine history in detail, and that it would supply the wanting native identity all of us long for.

Lo and behold when I read this book, it was not a narrative history at all; it was but an ethnography of 16th century Philippines. To make matters worse, everything was from the perspective of the Spaniards!

This made me feel that this book was just like any other book on pre-colonial Philippines: ethnographic accounts masquerading as a prelude to Magellan's landing in 1521.

I long for a book which does a survey of narratives of pre-Hispanic Philippine history from various sources; Filipinos were mentioned in the accounts of the Thai, Burmese, Borneans, Chinese, etc. Why do we not writer narrative histories about the expansion of the Bruneian empire in Kota Seludong (present-day Manila) or the attempted invasion of Majapahit in the same area? We, Filipinos, need a book a like this to satiate our thirst for a native identity. Where and when can we find a book like this?

[RE de Leon · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "Barangay," esteemed Philippine Historian William Henry Scott takes the writings of the early Spanish explorers and uses them to paint a picture of the Philippines at its point of contact with the colonizing powers, providing what is to date the best picture we have of "Pre-Hispanic" Philippine culture(/s).

A must read for anyone who has a stake in exploring the Filipino identity.

RE de Leon
12:48 AM, 31 December 2010
Agoo, La Union

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Centuries of colonial rule have left Filipinos today lost and still struggling with their sense of identity. This book is an exhaustive account of the rich culture, traditions, beliefs and value systems of pre-Hispanic Philippines. I've personally found greater understanding of contemporary society by reflecting on this past.

Moreover, I appreciate the author's efforts to identify and separate evident bias in Spanish accounts in his writing.

A generally white-washed nation today plagued with social amnesia needs to read this. Why this book is not yet a mandatory reading for today's generation of Filipino students boggles me!

[Bookbed · Rating 3 out of 5]

We think this book is worth checking out! Consider adding it to your to-read pile. :)

Check out more of our recs here:"15 Books to Buy from the Manila International Online Book Fair"

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[Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Necessary scholarship. William Henry Scott has always had a clear and bright way of writing about the past, while not succumbing to the tendency of most historians to be sentimental (in a nationalistic way). Published in the early 90’s, this work is still incredibly foundational and in fact quite astute with regard to more current mindsets about Philippine history.

I find this to also be a fantastic scholarly antidote to the self-Orientalism and exoticizing essentialisms that some modern “decolonizers” tend to do (alongside, in my opinion, Nick Joaquin’s “Culture & History”).

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This seminal work of Mr. Scott provides a window to the 'Filipino' identity before the devastating effects of colonialism. Reading history from a scholarly perspective such as this is quite enlightening as I was able to learn more about myself, for instance, the origin of the words I speak (in this case, Bicol) and the culture and traditions I came to believe.

[Biboy Chiuco · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to finish reading this one. I've red this a year ago coz I'm a contestant in Philippine history quiz. And this year, I'm planning to join again, hope my teacher would lend me her book again or someone could lend me book online

[Cyrossalbao]

How can i start read this?

[Jea Alyssah]

Interesting

[Maricon Milallos]

Good

[Paul Elessar Caceres · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good introduction to 16th century Filipino history and culture. Well written and easy to read.

[Carabao · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Waray, I feel appreciated. Napakaganda ng description sa mga ninuno natin sa librong ito!

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stopped reading books written by 'white' dudes about 'his'tory.

But this one is indeed an important one.

[Rashid · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this book,it shows deeply our cultures

[Bob Gustafson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent scholarship. Mediocre presentation.

Everything is laid out in an orderly fashion, but it's like reading a dictionary, where the words are arranged by topic rather than alphabetically, definition before the word.

Nevertheless, it is the only book that I am aware of on the topic, so that merits three stars.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

pre-Hispanic Filipino: tribal organization, extent of Muslim influence, technology, customs, religious rituals, conflict, etc.

[Cesarcucio_saveearth · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEST NON-FICTION BOOK THAT I'VE READ.

[Mairin Aziel · Rating 5 out of 5]

:DDD

[Ralph Marion Victa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Objective. Well-researched. Based on primary sources.

[Shara Glenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice