Madayaw, my peeps!
Today we will be talking about one of the oldest Kingdoms of
the Philippines. This is the second part of the series so I will be putting the
Video about the Namayan Kingdom down in the description. Please watch out for
the third which is the Kingdom of the Tagalogs.
Don’t forget to follow my social media channels and of
course, this channel. I’d love to hear from you so drop me a comment!
Let’s begin!
Tondo, Tundun or Tunduk was a major trading hub which
centered around the Pasig Delta. It is within and around what is now Metro
Manila.
The first mention of Tunduk was in the Laguna Copperplate
Inscription. The plate is dated to 900AD. It implied trade relations with this
kingdom at that time. Nobody knows the exact date of the establishment of
Tunduk but it had many names and changed many hands. As far as historians
believe, Manila or Tondo is the oldest established Kingdom in the area.
In the 12th Century, it was known that Tondo and
China had a trade relationship. This would be the Ming Dynasty. All over the
Philippines, many Ming Pottery have been excavated. Even after the end of the
Yuan Dynasty, the Rajanate of Tunduk was considered a major player in trade in
the region. The sent envoys to China regularly.
When Tondo was established, it was considered a city-state.
However, it was monarchial. What I mean is, it is unique in how it is run. Each
barangays or balangays or districts had a datu. Among them was a Lakan or Raja who
ruled all other datus. In a way, that is still being done. Each Barangays in
the Philippines has a Barangay chairman or Cabeza. These local government is
managed by a higher tier of leaders.
So, where exactly is Tondo? Oddly, its dominions do not
cover present-day Tondo. That area is part of the Namayan. Parts of Manila,
Bulacan, Caloocan would be part of this area.
The Rajanate of Tunduk was heavily influenced by the
Majapahit Empire, The Kingdom of Brunei and Malaysians. The Majapahit Empire
was a Javanese Hindu-Buddhist empire that was strong in South East Asia at that
time. It stretched from Sumatra to New Guinea.
In 1500’s Sultan Bolkiah of Brunei wed his son Gat Lontok to
Dayang Kalangitan, a Namayan Princess, and an alliance was formed through that
marriage. By this time, the Namayans ruled Tonduk and all its surrounds and
Sultan Bolkia didn’t want a war. Part of the Princess’ dowry was the territory
of Seludong which is part of present-day city of Manila (not metro). Gat Lontok
is a royal prince. The prefix Gat is still used today to denote a man of high
regard. Quite like “Sir.” Dayang means Princess. Kalangitan is a Tagalog Word
for Heaven. Her name means Princess of Heaven. In Seludong, a fort of wood and
stone was erected to be the satellite trading post for Sultan Bolkia. They
called the new fortress Kota Selurong. This will become Intramuros when the Spanish
conquered it.
Dayang Kalangitan was a formidable lady and she was no
damsel. Eldest daughter of Raja Gambang, who had no male heirs, she became a
female Raja in her own right. Kalangitan co-ruled with Gat Lontok who became
Raja Lontok. She was often noted to be the stronger ruler. In 1450 AD, she was
widowed but continued to rule. Under her reign, The Kingdom of Tondo reached
its Golden Age. The territories stretched from Cordillera to Bicol. She was
also the last Buddhist Ruler of Tondo.
In 1470, Kalangitan’s reign was coming to an end. Kalangitan
wed her daughter Panginoan to a prominent Namayan Prince named Bagtas or Balagtas
to rule after her death. Panginoan and Bagtas ruled well and united the two
kingdoms. However, in the 1500, the Sultanate of Brunei attacked Tunduk and put
Kalangitan’s son Salalila as Raja. Bagtas and his wife were relegated to rule
the Namayans. Thus the Namayans became their vassals instead. Salalila
converted to Islam and adopted the name Sulayman, establishing the Royal House
of Sulayman. However, it will be short-lived. The Rajanate of Tunduk and the
Kingdom of Maynila became separate. The once unified kingdom split into three.
The Namayans separated but still a vassal to Tunduk while Tunduk split to Tondo
and Maynila. Later, there were some tensions with their heirs. Maynila was
ruled by Raja Matanda whose name was Prince Ache, Son of Sulayman. His Son
Sulayman III was his heir. In Tunduk, Lakandula, a cousin, ruled. When the
Spanish came, they played against each faction and destabilized the rulers.
Thus, the fall of the three kingdoms.
Fun Facts
The name of Tondo or Tunduk came from a River Mangrove of
the same name. The name Maynila came from Nila or Indigo Plant which was
growing abundantly at that time.
Manila only fell to the Spanish at the Battle of Bangkusay
in 1571. By that time, the Kingdom of Tondo and Maynila were already in
decline. Tariq Soliman, rumored to be Sulayman III’s son or grandson refused to
surrender and accept Christianity. He died in battle ending the line of
Sulayman. The Moors in Maynila and Tunduk were either expelled or killed.
Kota Selurung became Fort Santiago in honor of Santiago, the
saint who conquered the Moors. Later that century, the wooden palisades were
replaced with stone because Manila kept getting harassed by Limahong the
Pirate.
Hat of the Day
I’m sketching the hat of the day instead of showing
something from my collection. Our hat today is this European-inspired top hat.
Many goods filtered to Manila from Europe during the Galleon Trade. Manila was
such a melting pot that their taste in clothing became mixed. Apart from the
European mixes, there were Indo-Chinese, Mexican and Aboriginal influences as
well.
I hope you liked this video and please consider subscribing.
This is the second in the series of Great Kingdoms of Ancient Philippines. I’ll
be putting a link below to the video of the Namayan Kingdom. Like and follow my
Social Media channels and please share my content. You may also comment on what
you liked about the video and maybe what you want to see in the future.
Bye!
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