Analysis of the First Voyage around the word by Antonio
Pigafetta
USING A DOCUMENT ANALYSIS FORM
To analyze the documents let’s answer the following
questions:
• Define the type of Document: travelogue
OBSERVE ITS PARTS
1.Who wrote it?
• Antonio Pigafetta, a chronicler commissioned by
the King of Spain to document Magellan’s
voyage. He was of noble descent an a scholar of
cartography and geography.
2.Who read/received it? The King of Spain
3.When is it from? 1525
4.Where is it from? Italy
Try to make sense of it.
What is it talking about? What are the main points
expressed?
• Magellan’s arrival in the Philippines.
• his encounter with the local leaders,
• his death in the hands of Lapulapu’s forces in the
Battle of Mactan,
• and the departure of Magellan’s fleet from the
islands.
Write one sentence summarizing this document.
• It documents a firsthand observation of
pre-colonial period of the Philippines.
Why did the author write it?
• To give the King of Spain a complete
picture of what are the natural and
mineral resources (gold) which could be
beneficial in its aim to expand its empire
and wealth.
Quote evidence from the document that tells you this.
Description of leaders wearing gold accessories. He
(The king) was adorned with silk and gold accessories like
a golden dagger.
What was happening at the time in history this
document was created?
16th century – Age of Exploration
In Europe, it was the height of the Holy Roman Empire.
Mercantilist economic system – which
measures the wealth of a kingdom based on the
accumulation of precious metals.
What did you find out from this document that you
might not learn anywhere else?
• During pre-colonial period, women were
also allowed to become Datu.
What other documents or historical evidence are you
going to use to help you understand this event or
topic?
Filipino historians interpretation of Pigafetta’s
travelogue. Teodoro Agonicillos book entitled the “History
of the Filipino people.”
First voyage around the world
Antonio Pigafetta 1491 – 1534 , Vicenza Italy
 Italian seafarer and geographer
 Accompanied Magellan on the voyage
 Studied astronomy, geography and cartography
 Collected wide-ranging data concerning the
geography, climate, flora and fauna during the
expedition
Immediate history of the document
Accounts of Magellan's voyage for the circumnavigation of
the globe:
✣ Duarte Barbosa
- a Portuguese relative of the captain
✣ Juan Sebastian Elcano
- Captain of the last ship (Victoria)
Pigafetta’s journal includes numerous beautifully drawn
and illuminated maps
Discovery of Philippines
✣ A hint of there were rich natural resources
✣ Discovery of flora and fauna
TRAGEDY IN ISLAS LADRONES (GUAM)
✣ They approached the ships showing fish, feigning
that they would give them then threw stones and
fled.
SPAIN HAS ARRIVED
✣ The captain-general gave the king a garment of
red and yellow cloth made in Turkish fashion, and
a fine red cap.
✣ Pieces of gold, of the size of walnuts and eggs,
are found by sifting the earth in the island of that
king.
✣ The king has exceedingly black hair and hung to
his shoulders. He had silk on his head, and wore
two large earrings. He has gold in his tooth.
ARRIVAL IN ZUBU (CEBU)
✣ The captain-general said many things concerning
peace, and that he prayed God to confirm it in
heaven.
Christianization
✣ Talks about faith and religion
✣ 800 souls were baptized
✣ “They should not become Christians for fear to
please us, but of their own law”.
 ✣ A large cross was set up in the middle of the Faith, Honesty, Trust, Hospitality, friendship and
square Loyalty

✣ The captain-general went ashore daily during From when Spaniards wanted to spread Christianity, to
those days to hear Mass, and told the king many how honesty and trust can be seen in every trade.
things regarding faith.
Another is hospitality of natives from when they joyfully
Globalization welcome the Spaniards in their arrival. Lastly, is
Magellan’s loyalty to his people.
✣ Religion

✣ Culture

✣ Geographical aspects

Death of Magellan

✣ Magellan was killed towards the end of the

voyage in the Philippines, during a battle with the
natives

The Return to Spain

✣ Only few survived and Pigafetta was one of them.

✣ “They killed our mirror, our light, our comfort, and

our true guide”

Implication to the historical narrative

The possible implication or effect it has in historical

narrative is by it’s chronological arrangement of what
happened in the past, that will let people to understand it
and know what really happened. It also has an effect to
those who only knew the natives’ or the Philippines’ side
by the story about Lapu-lapu. Those people who believed
that all other countries who goes to ours doesn’t have any
good to do and bring in the country. Yet, in this passage,
it’s them, the Spaniards, who brought Christianity in
Philippines, which is the religion of the country.

 Proved that the world is round and not flat

 Increased geographical knowledge of
mankind

 It’s possible to sail around the world

 The gateway of globalization

 Paved the way of possible routes for trade

 Discovery of rich natural resources

 Pigafetta’s notes were valuable to other future

historians, cartographers, explorers and others
because of it’s detailed data.
 It leads extensive geographical researches or
studies

Relevance to Contemporary Times

The issue between China and Philippines because of an

island (West PH Sea – South China Sea)

Underlying values