19/07/2021 Butuan (historical polity) - Wikipedia

Butuan (historical polity)

Butuan (also called as Kingdom of Butuan) was a precolonial
Philippine polity centered on the northern Mindanao island in the Ancient Butuan

modern city of Butuan in what is now the southern Philippines. It before 989–1521
was known for its mining of gold, its gold products and its extensive
trade network across the Nusantara area. The kingdom had trading Capital Centered in
modern
relationships with the ancient civilizations of Japan, China, India, Butuan City
Indonesia, Persia, Cambodia and areas now comprised in
Thailand.[3][4] Common languages Butuanon,[1]
Old Malay,
other
The balangay (large outrigger boats) that have been found along the Visayan
east and west banks of the Libertad river (old Agusan River) have languages
revealed much about Butuan's history. As a result, Butuan is
considered to have been a major trading port in the Caraga region Religion Hinduism,
Buddhism
during the pre-colonial era.[5] and
Animism
Government Monarchy
Contents History  
Historiography • Established before 989
Chinese records • First historical 1001
reference by Song
Excavated artifacts dynasty records
• Integrated into the 1521
Origins of the name
Spanish Empire
Recorded monarchs after the last
known monarch,
Modern commentary Rajah Siagu,
See also made a blood
compact with
References Ferdinand
Magellan
External links
• Area conquered by 1521
Spain
Currency Piloncitos,[2]
Historiography Barter rings

Preceded by Succeeded
Chinese records by
Prehistory New
Evidence indicates that Butuan was in contact with the Song of the Spain
dynasty of China by at least 1001 AD. The Chinese annal Song Shih Philippines Spanish
recorded the first appearance of a Butuan tributary mission Barangay East
state Indies
(Lijehan 李 竾 罕 and Jiaminan) at the Chinese Imperial Court on
March 17, 1001 AD. Butuan (or "Buotuan" 蒲端 in Middle Chinese)
Today part of
around that time was a gold mining and trading center in  Philippines
northeastern Mindanao, known for manufacturing metal tools and
weaponry, musical instruments, and gold jewelry.[6] Chinese
Annals described Butuan as a Hindu kingdom with a Buddhist monarchy.[7] The chief (or "king") of
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Butuan named Kiling[8] sent an envoy under I-hsu-han, with a formal

memorial requesting equal status in court protocol with the Champa
envoy. Researcher Eric Casino, believes the name Kiling is not Visayan
in origin but rather, Indian, because Kiling refers to the people of
India.[7][9] The Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals) of the nearby country of
Malaysia, refers to the similarly worded Keling as immigrant people
from India.[10] Rajah Kiling's request for diplomatic equality in
The world in 1200 AD: Butuan protocol towards his Rajahnate, was later denied by the Chinese
and its neighbors. Imperial court, mainly because of favoritism over the Champa
civilization.[11]

A new rajah with the Indianized name Sri Bata Shaja later succeeded in attaining diplomatic equality
with Champa by sending the flamboyant ambassador Likanhsieh. Likanhsieh shocked the Emperor
Zhenzong by presenting a memorial engraved on a gold tablet, some white dragon (Bailong 白 龍 )
camphor, Moluccan cloves, and a South Sea slave at the eve of an important ceremonial state
sacrifice.[12] This display of irreverence sparked interests from China over the polity and the diplomatic
relations between the two polities reached its peak during the Yuan dynasty. Chinese records about the
polity stopped after the reign of Rajah Siagu, the last independent Rajah of Butuan. He was formally
subjugated into the Spanish Empire after he and his brother, Rajah Kolambu of Limasawa, made a blood
compact with Ferdinand Magellan in 1521.

Excavated artifacts
The Butuan Ivory Seal, displayed at
the National Museum of the
Philippines. The Kawi script lettering
says "But-wan" and the smaller
lettering (similar to Baybayin) says
"Bu-wa" (diacritics for the
"Wan/Ban" in Kawi and "Bu/Ba" in
the smaller letters have worn off).
Numerous jars have been found in
the Butuan area that indicate the
wealth of the kingdom and the
existence of foreign traditions.[13]
Some of these jars have been dated
as follows:
A silver strip excavated from the
Sathing Phra (900–1100 AD) 1970s in Butuan inside of a
Haripunjaya (800–900 AD) wooden coffin. The characters
Japanese (12th to 16th centuries display a Hindu-Buddhist
influence, probably a form of
AD)[14]
early writing in the Philippines
Chinese (10th to 15th centuries (c. 14th–15th century).
AD)
Khmer (9th to 10th centuries AD)
Thai (14th to 15th centuries AD)
Champa (11th to 13th centuries AD)
Persian (9th to 10th centuries AD)

Artifacts have been recovered from within the vicinities of Ambangan Archeological Site in Libertad that
attest to the historical accounts that Butuan traded with India,[15] Japan, Han Chinese, and Southeast
Asian countries during these periods.[3]

Origins of the name

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The name Butuan is believed to have existed long before the Spanish
conquistadores arrived in the Philippine archipelago. One possible indication of
this is a rhinoceros ivory seal with design carved in ancient Javanese or early Kawi
script (used around the 10th century CE) which, according to a Dutch scholar, was
deciphered as But-wan. Another account suggests the name derives from the
word batuan, a mangosteen-related fruit common in Mindanao. Another
alternative is that the name derives from Datu Bantuan, possibly a former datu of
the region.[16]

Recorded monarchs An illustration of the

Garcinia morella,
The Royal Title of the locally called
Events From Until
Reigning Rajah batuan, one of
Mission by Lijehan and which might
Jiaminan (1003)
Butuan's name
Kiling 1001[17] 1009[17]
Mission by I-shu-han (李竾 came from.
罕) (1007)

Mission by Likanhsieh (李
Sri Bata Shaja 1011[17] ?
于燮)
Annexation by Ferdinand
Rajah Siagu[18] ? 1521
Magellan

Linampas son of Siagu 1521 1567[19]

ruler of Butuan, converted
to Christianity and
Silongan 1567 1596[19]
baptized as Felipe
Silongan

Modern commentary
Spanish chroniclers, when they stepped foot on Butuan, remarked that gold was so abundant that even
houses were decorated with gold; "Pieces of gold, the size of walnuts and eggs are found by sifting the
earth in the island of that king who came to our ships. All the dishes of that king are of gold and also
some portion of his house as we were told by that king himself...He had a covering of silk on his head,
and wore two large golden earrings fastened in his ears...At his side hung a dagger, the haft of which was
somewhat long and all of gold, and its scabbard of carved wood. He had three spots of gold on every
tooth, and his teeth appeared as if bound with gold." As written by Antonio Pigafetta on Rajah Siagu of
Butuan during Magellan's voyage. Rajah Siagu was also a cousin of Rajah Humabon of the Cebu
Rajahnate, thus suggesting that the two Indianized kingdoms were in an alliance together with Hindu
Kutai against the Islamic Sultanates of Maguindanao and Sulu.

Butuan was so rich in treasures that a museum curator, Florina H. Capistrano-Baker, stated that it was
even richer than the more well-known western maritime kingdom of Srivijaya; "The astonishing
quantities and impressive quality of gold treasures recovered in Butuan suggest that its flourishing port
settlement played an until recently little-recognized role in early Southeast Asian trade. Surprisingly, the
amount of gold discovered in Butuan far exceeds that found in Sumatra, where the much better known
flourishing kingdom of Srivijaya is said to have been located."[20]

See also
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Butuan Pre-colonial history of the Philippines

Balangay
Dimasaua
Agusan image
Butuanon people
Indian cultural influences in early Philippine polities

References
1. Fred S. Cabuang (September 6, 2007). "Saving Butuanon Barangay government
language" (https://web.archive.org/web/20080830070649/ Ruling class (Maginoo, Tumao): Apo, Datu,
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/sept/06/yehey/o Lakan, Panglima, Rajah, Sultan, Thimuay
pinion/20070906opi7.html). Archived from the original (htt Middle class: Timawa, Maharlika
p://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/sept/06/yehey/opi Serfs, commoners and slaves (Alipin): Aliping
namamahay, Alipin sa gigilid, Bulisik, Bulislis,
nion/20070906opi7.html) on August 30, 2008. Retrieved Horohan, Uripon
October 9, 2009. States in Luzon
2. Ocampo, Ambeth R. (August 30, 2011). " 'Piloncitos' and Caboloan
the 'Philippine golden age' " (https://opinion.inquirer.net/10 Cainta
991/%e2%80%98piloncitos%e2%80%99-and-the-%e2%8 Ibalon
0%98philippine-golden-age%e2%80%99). Philippine Ma-i
Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 8, 2019. Rajahnate of Maynila
3. "The Cultural Influences of India, China, Arabia, and Namayan
Tondo
Japan" (https://web.archive.org/web/20101124221140/htt
p://www.philippinealmanac.com/2010/07/528/the-cultural-i States in the Visayas
Kedatuan of Madja-as
nfluences-of-india-china-arabia-and-japan.html).
Kedatuan of Dapitan
Philippine Almanac. July 14, 2010. Archived from the
Rajahnate of Cebu
original (http://www.philippinealmanac.com/2010/07/528/t
States in Mindanao
he-cultural-influences-of-india-china-arabia-and-japan.htm
Rajahnate of Butuan
l) on November 24, 2010. Sultanate of Sulu
4. "Butuan Archeological Sites" (https://whc.unesco.org/en/t Sultanate of Maguindanao
entativelists/2071/). UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Sultanates of Lanao
Retrieved March 8, 2019. Key figures
5. Lealiz, Sia (February 4, 2009). "Discovering the Ancient Jayadewa · Dayang Kalangitan · Ache ·
Kingdom of Butuan" (https://www.philstar.com/ArticlePrint Agustin de Legazpi · Dimasangcay Adel ·
Gat Pangil · Gugu Sarikula · Lakandula ·
erFriendly.aspx?articleId=437256). The Philippine Star. Laut Buisan · Lontok · Magat Salamat ·
Retrieved October 9, 2009. Regimo Diraja · Salalila · Sasaban · Sulayman III ·
6. Abinales, Patricio N.; Amoroso, Donna J. (2005). State Kamal ud-Din · Katuna · Tarik Sulayman · Tupas ·
and Society in the Philippines (https://books.google.com/b Urduja · Kabungsuwan · Kudarat · Humabon ·
Lapulapu · Alimuddin I · Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram
ooks?id=cTx7AAAAQBAJ). Rowman & Littlefield
The book of Maragtas
Publishers. p. 36. ISBN 9780742568723. "Another
Religion in pre-colonial Philippines
Philippine place name appearing in Sung trade records is
that of Butuan, a gold mining and trading center in History of the Philippines
northeastern Mindanao that sent its first tribute mission to Portal: Philippines
China in 1001. From the tenth to the thirteenth centuries,
Butuan was known for manufacturing metal tools and
weaponry (blades, knives, and projectiles), musical
instruments (bells, cymbals, and gongs), and gold jewelry
(earrings, buckles, and rings)."

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7. "Cultural and Civilisational Links between India and

Southeast Asia" Edited By: Shyam Saran (https://books.g
oogle.com.ph/books?id=Ye1lDwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontc
over&dq=Cultural+and+Civilisational+Links+between+Indi
a+and+Southeast+Asia&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi4pJ
nUrLbuAhVIE6YKHVCiBAkQuwUwAHoECAEQBg) (Page
96).
8. Scott, William Henry (1989). Filipinos in China before
1500. China Studies Program, De La Salle University.
OCLC 22641804 (https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/2264180
4). "Butuan seems to have attracted some notoriety. For
four years, its King Kiling (Ch'i-ling) sent missions every
year: on 3 October 1003, for example, Minister Lijihan
and Assistant Minister Gaminan presented red parrots in
addition to the usual native products like tortoise shell."
9. Eric Casino. "The Barangays of Butuan: Lumad
Mindanaoans in China and the Sulu Zone". Asia
Mindanaw: Dialogue of Peace and Development (2014):
2.
10. "A historical perspective on the word 'Keling' " (http://www.
sabrizain.org/malaya/keling.htm). Retrieved 24 April 2017.
11. Scott, William (1984). Prehispanic Source Materials: For
the Study of Philippine History (revised ed.). Quezon City:
New Day Publishers. p. 66. ISBN 9711002264.
12. Song Shih Chapter 7 to 8
13. Luna, Lillian (2004). MAPEH for Secondary Students. Art
Books and History Books. St Bernadette Publications Inc.
ISBN 971-621-327-1.
14. Manansala, Paul Kekai (September 5, 2006). "Quests of
the Dragon and Bird Clan: Luzon Jars (Glossary)" (http://s
ambali.blogspot.com/2006/09/luzon-jars-glossary.html).
Quests of the Dragon and Bird Clan. Retrieved March 8,
2019.
15. Quirino, Karl (September 1, 2010). "The Kingdom of
Butuan" (https://thebulwaganfoundation.wordpress.com/2
010/09/01/the-kingdom-of-butuan/). The Bulwagan
Foundation Trust. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
16. "Historic Butuan" (https://web.archive.org/web/200912300
50858/http://www.butuancity.info/about-butuan/92-historic-
butuan.html). Archived from the original (http://butuancity.i
nfo/about-butuan/92-historic-butuan.html) on December
30, 2009. Retrieved October 9, 2009.
17. International Studies In the Philippines Mapping New
Frontiers In Theory and Practice (Edited By: Frances
Antionette Cruz) (https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=
2inZDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT17&dq=international+studies+in+
the+philippines:+mapping+new+frontiers+in+theory+%22
doi%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjMvczZoLbuAhUkK
qYKHXIbDI4QuwUwAHoECAQQBg) Page 24.

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18. "Cultural and Civilisational Links between India and

Southeast Asia" Edited By: Shyam Saran (https://books.g
oogle.com.ph/books?id=Ye1lDwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontc
over&dq=Cultural+and+Civilisational+Links+between+Indi
a+and+Southeast+Asia&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi4pJ
nUrLbuAhVIE6YKHVCiBAkQuwUwAHoECAEQBg) (Page
97).
19. Peter Schreurs, MSC (1989). Caraga Antigua 1521-1910:
the Hispanization and Christianization of Agusan, Surigao
and East Davao (Thesis). Radboud University and
University of San Carlos, Cebu City. p. 113.
20. "The Kingdom of Butuan" (https://asiasociety.org/new-yor
k/exhibitions/philippine-gold-treasures-forgotten-kingdom
s). Philippine Gold: Treasures of Lost Kingdoms. Asia
Society New York. Retrieved March 8, 2019.

External links
Butuan silver strips (https://web.archive.org/web/20110724094840/http://www.bibingka.com/dahon/m
ystery/silver.htm)
Flag and symbols (http://www.watawat.net/early_flags_and_symbols_-_1.html)
Butuan ivory seals (https://web.archive.org/web/20101010040246/http://www.bibingka.com/dahon/m
ystery/seal.htm)

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