RIPH111@QC 

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Immersive Reader

Lesson 1: Raiders of the Sulu Sea

(Documentary Film)

Raiders of the Sulu Sea

      - A Historiography documentary film focusing on Zamboanga City
depicting how the Spaniards defended the city with the Fort Pilar as Spain’s
last stronghold and bastion of defense and economic expansion in the
South of the Philippines.
     - It depicts the Southeast Asian flourishing free trading in the area and
the adverse effects and repercussions when Europeans such as the
English, Dutch and Spanish who wanted to control the economy as well to
colonize and Christianize.
     - The documentary centers on the activities of the slave raiders as a
way of retaliation to the colonizers and a way to defend their way of life
against oppression.
     - The Sulu and Maguindanao sultanates were then the two main
kingdoms controlling the Muslim colonies of the southern Philippines. With
the king of Maguindanao, Rajah Dalasi, at the helm, they launched a
bloody attack on Fort Pilar.
 
 

    3 Different groups of Muslims identified in the

colonial sources

1. Tausug
     - A tribe without maritime experience, but known for its fierce warriors
and widespread political power
 
 
2. Illanun
     - The one which was very important in piracy history
     - Long-standing seafaring community
 
 

3. Balangingi Tribe or Samal

     - Occupied the chain of islands between Basilan and Sulu island
     - Also a long-standing seafaring community
 
 

Ancient Maritime Vessels and Weapons used by the

Moros
 
Garay
    - Built from bamboo, wood, and the nipa palm and could carry more
than 100 sailors.
     - This single-sailed ship was 25 meters long and six meters across and
housed a powder magazine and cannon at the bow.
     - With 30 to 60 oars on each side, the garay was faster than any other
seagoing vessel of its time
 
 
 

Salisipan
      - Small boats designed for coastal raids
 
 
 

Kalis
     - Sword with a mystical side
 
 
 

Barong
     - One the Tausug warriors use to cut off an M-14, a carbine
     - A single-edged leaf-shaped blade made of thick tempered steel
     - This approximately one-meter long weapon was used in close hand-to-
hand battle to cut Spanish firearms down to size.
 
 
Kris
     - Weapon of warfare and ceremony
     - Measuring up to 1.2 meters in length, was not only carried by slave
raiders into battle but also by nobles and high-ranking officials of the
southern sultanates
     - Double-edged and with either a smooth or wavy blade
 
 

   

Kampilan
     - Heavy single-edged sword adorned with hair to make it look even
more intimidating
     - At the tip of the blade are two horns projecting from the blunt side
which is used to pick up the head of a decapitated body
 

**The film may be viewed atRaiders of the Sulu Sea (Links to an

external site.)