Of Plunderers, Monarchs and Thieves

In the early 1500’s, when Spain commanded a formidable naval fleet in the west, it felt compelled to explore the New World in search of spices, forest resources and particularly,  gold.

Wanting to expand its empire beyond its borders, Spain conscripted its best navigators, adventurers, privateers and mercenaries to launch expeditions into the new lands in the west. Spanish Monarchs such as Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castille justified its just wars against all indigenous peoples as being in line with the natural law.

Licensing for maritime trade was obtained in the Spanish Capital for commerce in Seville. It was here where navigation licenses and trading papers were procured by various profiteers for the empire. One of these privateers would be in the name of Hernan Cortes. Hernan Cortes was to become a notorious corsair of the New World.  Prompted by greed for American Indian gold, he nearly exterminated the Aztec communities in Mexico. Cortes plundered whatever remained of their gold fineries and ornaments ( as Aztecs were also skilled goldsmiths and craftsmen),  and shipped them back to the Spanish empire.

Spain’s policy was to steal all the gold from the colonies, have them stamped, sealed and shipped back to Spain’s Royal Treasury.

During the years 1510-1567, Spain had already subjugated Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.

The Incas of Peru and Mayans of the Yucatan consequently fell to the military overtures of Spanish mercenaries and corsairs. Gold ornaments were plundered by the thousands. Abuses heaped upon the indigenous populations of South and Central America. Spain and its Monarchs were to become one of history’s greatest plunderers of the New World. Along with the theft of spoils was a continent ravished by European greed and apathy. Spanish booty were consequently divided between the Monarchs and the Catholic Church.

Thievery in the New World suffered no contrast in the conquest of the Philippine Islands.

Since the Spanish landfall in 1564 led by Legazpi, the Philippine Islands would never be the same again.

In the span of more than 330 years under the Spanish colonial rule, the Philippine Islands would similarly fall prey to Spanish thievery and plundering. The Indios were treated to abuse, torture, brainwashing, humiliation and moral and cultural degradation. The Church and Spanish military authorities would connive strategically to reduce the will of the people living in the islands. Using the principles of divide and conquer, these imperialist institutions would eventually set the people against each other.

Tribe against tribe. Region against region. Christian converts against Muslims. Shattering any existing tribal institutions based on respect, courtesy and peaceful co-existence.

In the end, they plundered the nation’s gold, timber, silk, spices and various other cultural ornaments. All of these would be sent to Spain and to Roman Catholic treasuries. Other fineries would find themselves in the hands of private collectors, private plunderers to say the least.

Because South America, Philippines and several third world countries share a common history of plunder, rape and humiliation, these countries suffered generational wounds which could not heal easily.

Today, Europe is in economic turmoil. Greece, Spain and France are experiencing records of high unemployment and civil unrest. And Queen Sofia, a Spanish Monarch has just visited the Philippine Islands this year, June 2012.

Hmmmmm…..

Prospecting for more Gold perhaps?

Kodsayow

Dances, termed as Kodsayow, are an exciting part of the Bagobo culture.

In the past, whenever there was a good harvest or an occasion of a blessing ritual, there would be a gathering of the Bagobos. In these large gatherings, gongs would be played accompanied by drums made from dried deerskin, bamboo zither, flute or Jew’s harp. As the ensemble progresses to a much faster tempo, excited men and women would rise up and be seen dancing in the center of the throng of people.

Here the men and women will be seen moving their gentle feet at the rising and falling of the music’s crescendo. Women could be seen shuffling about a male dancer as a sign of pleasing their partner. Each of the women seems to compete for the attention  of the male. The dance is truly symbolic. An ideation of Bagobo relationships.

Bagobo dance performed by Elias B. Lopez (+), former Mayor of Davao City  (tribal festivities during the 80’s)

The Bagobo women wear their best woven dress, armlets, leglets, headpieces, belts and bracelets. For the men, their finest multicolored abaca-woven jackets, short pants, headdress, arm bands, bells , belts and other indigenous fineries.

One of the more popular types of dance celebration is during an appointment of a tribal chief. Here, Bagobo women dance with the heir-designate, regale him and shower him with flowers. This is a most noble tradition among the people in honoring their leaders.

Finally, Bagobo dances are performed barefoot. It is a tradition among the people that dancing barefoot keeps one close to mother earth, the nurturer and provider of all good things. It is the representation of the basic grounding of these people to the good soil. nobody dances wearing shoes and slippers.

The feet celebrate life, wearing nothing but its nakedness.

Bagobo dances are traditionally showcased to the public on the occasion of the Araw ng Dabaw, celebrated every month of March of each year. At this time, one will be able to view up close not only authentic displays of Bagobo dances, but also their multicolored abaca-inspired dresses.

For a historian or an anthropologist, it will be a rediscovery of an ancient culture. But for the first time traveler in Davao City, it will truly be a delight!

Bagobos of Baguio District, Davao City

Bagobo women and man at Baguio, Davao City during the 70’s.  Bagobo women at the right and left of the man are descendants of obo Chieftain, Datu Baguio of Baguio District itself. Note of the abaca-inspired womens’ garments (umpak and detdet)  embedded with beads.