PHIHIS: CHAPTER 4
Origination and Formation of Sulu Sultanate during the 14th Century Southeast Asia
Keywords: Islam, Sulu, Sultanate, Datu, Raja
Early Settlements: Xolo, Sooloo, Sulo, and Sulu
• Myths, legends, and other stories were written
down generation to generation by elders that
Maymbung (Maimbung) and Buansa
(Bwansa, Bawang or Banua now/in Jolo) were
identified of their historic importance
pertaining to early settlements and seats of
government by the early chiefs.
• Jolo is an island of Sulu and currently the
capital of the province
• Jolo was known as the first settlement in the
entire Sulu archipelago.
1. LONG BEFORE THE ISLAND WAS CALLED JOLO, it
was known as BUANSA (BWANSA) while other
refer it as BAWANG OR BANUA.
2. When the sultanate unified the people of
BAWANG (BANUA) into one nation it later
became LAUM BANUA as the capital of the
Sultanate (Abubakar, 2007.1).
3. Maymbung (now Maimbung) plays an
important role in the history of Sulu, it was
here that the first seat of government in the
Sulu archipelago of Hindu influenced was
founded and the sultanate was first
introduced as a centralized government long
before it was transferred in Patikul.
4. Maimbung therefore was the seat of political
system before Buansa (Jolo) became the
center of political activities.
5. Jolo (Bawang or Banua) was simply a part of
the Sulu Archipelago or the old Sultanate of
Sulu.
LAYONG, ZOEZEL
6. The word Sulu was commonly known as Sug
by the natives which means current or Lupah
Sug as Land of the current, because of the two
great rivers from Maimbung (Maymbung) and
Patikul flowing to the mouth of Sulu Sea. Lupah
Sug may also mean Land of the Taosug.
• A local expert gave another version; “Buansa”
is a name of a village in Jolo and was
recognized as the first progressive area in Jolo.
• “Bawang-Banua” is synonymous to “Bawang
Village”, meaning “Banua” is a translation of a
village.
• “Buansa” is the first settlement was founded.
The identification of the people of Sulu as land
of the current is a common error; “lupah” is
land, “sug” refers to market.
• Buansa as a village was the center of trade,
political transactions and cultural
development.
• Local scholars identified Buansa like a melting
pot of cultures in the east of Southeast Asia
where nearby kingdoms of Brunei, Indonesia
and Malaysia contacted as an early form of
trading transaction.
• Originally the people of Sulu identified
themselves as Bangsa Sug having the
connotation of forming the so-called Sulu
Nation.
• From the British and American Sources, the
terms Sooloo and Sulo were commonly used
by scholars and records of East India
Company.
 PHIHIS: CHAPTER 4
Origination and Formation of Sulu Sultanate during the 14th Century Southeast Asia

EARLY SETTLEMENTS: XOLO, SOOLOO, SULO, AND SULU • The other group was the “Baklayas”, that settled
Originally the people of Sulu identified themselves as in Jolo town (Ibid).
Bangsa Sug having the connotation of forming the • It is also safe to say that the first people of Sulu
so-called Sulu Nation. were migrants from Indonesia and Malaysia and
the early indigenous people of Sulu practiced
• From the British and American Sources, the terms
atheism or aminism. They worshipped stones
Sooloo and Sulo were commonly used by
and celestial bodies before the advent of
scholars and records of East India Company.
Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity.
• Before the 18th century the Spaniards at first
• The introduction of Buddhism to Sulu was
used XOLO referring to Jolo and later developed
brought by SRIVIJAYA Empire much earlier than
the term Jolo. In the 18th century the Spanish
Hinduism brought by Majapahit Empire via
documents identified the Sultanate as “El Reyno
Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei but not
de Jolo” (Warren, 1981.)
necessarily within the line of trading and cultural
• The term “Jolo” was also common among
development but simply fragments of it
Chinese traders in Southeast Asia. It was said
(absence of historical sources).
that Jolo originated from the word “Holo” or
“Holiang” meaning good. This was given by the ORIENTAL REGILIGION AND CULTURE
Chinese traders describing the goodness of the • Holy men and wandering scholars from India
people of Sulu during one of their trade visits. reached the interior of Southeast Asia and began
to spread the laws of Vishnu and the teaching of
EARLY INHABITANTS OF SULU
Buddha (De la Costa, 1967.3).
• The “Buranun” or “Budanu” were the first group of
• It was believed that the delta of the Mekong River
people arrived in Sulu and established their
which was known to the Chinese as Funan was
settlement in Maymbung. They were also
among the earliest Indianized states in
referred to as “mountaineers” or “hill people” and
Southeast Asia. It was founded before the end of
their chiefs were surnamed “Siripada”.
the second century A.D., which extended its
• Other scholars named them “Gimbahan”
territory from the lower Mekong to upper part of
meaning “people of the interior” which is
the Malay Peninsula (Ibid).
synonymous to “manubus” which means
• The penetration of Buddhism as far as Malaysia
“savage hill” or “aborigines” (Saleeby, 1963.38).
was made possible through the expansion of the
• The belief of the old residents of Sulu, the people
Sri Vijayan Empire in Southeast Asia.
now of Sulu are similar with the Buranun and the
• East Borneo, West Java, the East Coast of
Dayaks of Borneo (Ibid).
Sumatra, Central and Southern Burma and the
• The other group to arrive Sulu was the
Valley of the Menam River in Thailand were
“Tagimahas” most likely from Basilan who lived
Indianized in the fifth century.
in the area near Buansa (island near Jolo).

LAYONG, ZOEZEL
 PHIHIS: CHAPTER 4
Origination and Formation of Sulu Sultanate during the 14th Century Southeast Asia
ORIENTAL REGILIGION AND CREATION
• The coming of Sri Vijayan Empire was equipped
with large army that was far advanced than
those of the natives of Southeast Asian
Kingdoms.
• Buddhist scholars were reputed to have been in
the expedition by the time of the expansion of
the empire to Southeast Asia.
• The expansion of the Sri Vijaya Empire to
Southeast Asia ushered in the spread of
Buddhism in this region.
• As in the case of Sanmalan known as Samals
once lived in Sadapan in Southeast Asia
migrated to Sulu probably to escape from the
scourge of war fought between the Sri Vijaya
Empire and those from Java around 800 A.D
(Pallesen and Bellwood cited by Ututalum and
Hedjazi, 2003.5).
• At this period, Sri Vijaya became one of the most
formidable commercial powers in Western
Indonesia by the end of the 7th century and the
early beginnings of the 8th century.
• The military power of Sri Vijaya reflected on its
commercial activities, which extended its cultural
influence as far as the Southern Philippines
(Jocano, 2001.142). This means, Visayas and
Mindanao formed part of the Indian influence
but again it may not necessarily as intensified as
that of Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.
• No exact records can clearly point the direct
linked of Philippine trade with the Indians it may
be on occasional basis or simply via the nearby
Kingdoms.
• Few records on this trading accounts indicated
of minor Indian commercial activities with
LAYONG, ZOEZEL
Manila, Cebu, Zamboanga and Sulu. The intense
of Indian influence in commerce, religion and
culture is something debatable.
• No exact records can show that the intense of
Indian activities in Sulu if it was of the same level
of intensity with those in Indonesia, Malaysia or
Cambodia.
• But what is certain about Hindu influence was
the presence of hindu words such as diwa,
diwata, bathala etc. as the old Sanskrit adopted
by the Mangyans and Tagabanua were writings
were found on bamboos based on linguistic
studies.
• There were debates among scholars and
historians concerning the coming of the Indians
to Southeast Asia and to the Philippines in
particular.
• It was said that they came to Southeast Asia
because of the deteriorating political condition in
India.
• Other sources would say, the coming of the
Indians was part of their exploration to the
wonders of the interior of Southeast Asia.
However, there was no exact date of their arrival
in the Philippines (probably arrived ahead of the
Arabs who brought Islam to Sulu).
• There are discrepancies on the period of Indian
influenced in Southeast Asia, others would say its
800 B.C while the rest would reduced it to 800
A.D. (Ibid P. 140)
• What was known of the Indian influence in the
Philippines at that time was not much of
commercial but fragments of what Indian
culture is.
 PHIHIS: CHAPTER 4
Origination and Formation of Sulu Sultanate during the 14th Century Southeast Asia
ORIENTAL RELIGION AND CREATION
• The Philippines was not part of the direct line of
trading activities between India and the rest of
Southeast Asia.
• This is in respect that Sulu was not yet a well-
known Kingdom during 800 BC, the popularity of
Sulu came during the founding of Sulu Sultanate
as indicated by its royal treaties with neighboring
kingdoms.
• Indian concept of religion and other practices
were slightly introduced in the Philippines but not
as intense as those in Indonesia and 4 Malaysia
since Indian activities were centered in those
places, what left to the Philippines or Sulu in
particular were simply fragments of their
activities.
• Indian influence could be demonstrated by icons
and symbols that were not present in the
Philippines like those in Indonesia, the Borobudur
in the 9th century and Angkor Wat and the
Angkor Thom in Cambodia in 12th century.
• The local residents of Sulu believed that the
founding of the Hindu Kingdom in Sulu was in the
13th century brought by the Majapahit Empire
from India and was first introduced to the
Malays.
• Hinduism in Southeast Asia was centered in
Malay Peninsula, this eventually developed as
Hindu-Malay culture and later on found itself in
the Southern Philippines.
• The role of Majapahit in Hinduism is identical with
the role portrayed by the Sri Vijaya to Buddhism.
• Majapahit came also to Southeast Asia in a large
scale. This time with more equipped, more
prepared and advanced military tactics
LAYONG, ZOEZEL
compared to the Sri Vijayan, the Majapahit
defeated the native kingdoms who challenged
their invincibility including those of Sri Vijaya and
Java kingdom in Indonesia.
• The last stage of Hinduism in Sulu was already
influenced by Islamic orientation because of
Arab influence in India and the rise of Muslim
settlements in the early 13th century in Sulu
which slowly deteriorated Hindu-Buddhism
influence in 1450.
• Evidence of Islamic Indian cultural blending in
Southeast Asia can be observed in Sanskrit
terminology, which influenced the language of
Sulu, the Taosug in particular (Francisco cited by
Gowing, 1998.28).
• The word “sorga” in Maguindanao, Maranao and
Taosug originated from the Sanskrit word
“Svarga” meaning “heaven”.
• Sorga is also present in Malay and Javanese
languages (The Taosug are now using “surga).
The word “naraka” in Maguindanao, Maranao
and Taosug is also of Sanskrit origin meaning
“hell” which is present in Malay and Javanese
languages (“narka” among the Taosug).
• They may be Sanskrit in origin but certainly they
have Islamic meaning. These indicate that the
last stage of Hindu influence in Sulu was already
tainted by Islamic ideas.
 PHIHIS: CHAPTER 4
Origination and Formation of Sulu Sultanate during the 14th Century Southeast Asia
EALY INDIAN RULERS: MYTHOLOGY AND HISTORY
• The first ruler on the island of Jolo was Jamiyun
kulisa and his wife Indira Suga, whose names
suggests of a Sanskrit origin and represent the
first Hindu rulers in Maymbung (Sulu Historical
Notes cited by Ututalum and Hedjazi, 2002.56).
• Tuan Masha’ika was the son of Jamiyun Kulisa
and Indira Suga, who came to Sulu with
Alexander the Great (Saleeby, 1963.38).
• According to Saleeby, this may be considered as
part of the Indian mythology and he did not
explain further on how these written traditions
could exactly proved the coming of Alexander
the Great in Sulu after all Alexander died in 33
B.C.. Other ruler existed at this period was the
Older Raja Sipad considered as the earliest ruler
of Maymbung and the great ancestor of the
younger Raja Sipad (Saleeby, 1963.38).
• If Mashaika is accepted as a fact in history,
accordingly he married the daughter of the
younger Raja Sipad named Iddha.
• His marriage with Iddha provided him the access
to propagate Islam in Sulu in the years that
came which competed with Buddhism and
Hinduism of India.
• The belief of the Sulu’s that their island was
invaded by Alexander the Great by way of
Malacca or Juhur and Tuan Mashai’ka most likely
followed the same direction (Saleeby, 1963.39).
• After the arrival of Tuan Mashaika, the Badjaos
were reported to have arrived in Sulu.
• Another version on the idea of rulership in Sulu
was introduced by Sri Vijayan Raja Baguinda
(who came from India) in the 13th century.
LAYONG, ZOEZEL
• Baguinda established the first known settlement
in Buansa (Bwansa in Jolo Island) and
considered by early scholars as the first supreme
ruler in Sulu before the arrival of Abu Bakr.
• The Sulu genealogy states that, ten years after
the arrival of Karim ul-Makhdum, Rajah Baguinda
arrived from Menangkabaw, Sumatra,
Zamboanga and then Basilan.
• Baguinda then, met the local chiefs in the area.
These chiefs were grandchildren of Tuan
Mashaika. This implies that the coming of Raja
Baguinda took place roughly fifty years after
Tuan Mashaika’s arrival (Majul, 1999.60).
• In 1385 Raja Baguinda could have been one of
those groups who set up a principality in Buansa,
during his arrival he met Tuan Hakim, a son of
Tuan Mashaikha, two of his grandchildren (Tuan
Buda, a chief living near Patikul, and Tuan Bujang,
another chief living near Mount Sinumaan).
• Baguinda then married one of the daughters of
Taguimahan chief who was converted by karim
Al Makhdum (Makhdum Al-Karim).
• There were three Taguimahan chief mentioned
when he arrived in Buansa; Sayk Ladun, Sayk
Sahdu and Sayk Bajsala (Ututalum and Hedjazi,
2002.64)
 PHIHIS: CHAPTER 4
Origination and Formation of Sulu Sultanate during the 14th Century Southeast Asia
ISLAM VIA INDIA
• The idea of datu, rajah or chiefs in Sulu was
introduced by the Hindus. However, it was also
said that the very idea of this type of rulership
originated from the Muslim Arabs and Persians
who migrated to India and China before they
finally penetrated in the Philippines.
• As early as 7thcentury AD, Muslim Arab and
Persian missionaries introduced Islam in India
(Gujarat and Bengal) by 8th century they set up
communities in Guangzhou (Canton) and other
nearby coastal cities.
• This prompted many Chinese to convert into
Islam (Ututalum and Hedjazi, 2002.69). This
means when the Indians reached the Philippines
either by trading, migration or to spread their
religion they also had the idea about Islam as a
religion and other Islamic influences in the early
8th century.
• The continued influx of the Indians in Sulu in the
12th century or earlier 6 was not purely of
Buddhist-Hindu believers; there may be few of
Islamic conversion who gave Islamic ideas to the
early inhabitants of Sulu.
• It is safe to say that some Indians at this time
were already converted into Islam.
• Scholars believe that the process of Islamization
in the Philippines may have its roots first from the
Indian Muslims who were influenced by the
Islamic world by the 7th century.
• These Indian Muslim traders reached China and
made few converts as Muslims.
LAYONG, ZOEZEL
• Both Indian and Chinese trading Muslims
reached Southeast Asia most likely for trading
activities and made few converts in Burma, Siam,
Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam and notably
Islamic stronghold was later established in
Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and Sulu
Archipelago.
• The Arabs were the ones responsible for laying
the foundation of Islam in Singapore, Brunei,
Sumatra, Kalah, Java, Sulu and Maguindanao.
• The turn of the 13th century kingdoms and states
like Burma, Siam, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam,
Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Southern
Philippines were deeply influenced by Islamic
dogma (Evangelista cited by Gowing, 1998.16)
• These kingdoms were once ruled by Sri Vijaya
and Majapahit empires find themselves part of
the Muslim-Islamic denomination. It was also in
the 13th century that Central and East Java, Bali,
and Molucas and the Southern Philippines
became trading centers.
• Arab and Persians traders by this century were
started to dominate trading activities reaching
as far as Southeast Asia.
• During the arrival of the first Islamic missionary
and the spread of Islam in Southeast Asia, Hindu
influence was of great power and significance.
• This was evident during the spread of the
Majapahit Empire which extended its power as
far as Sulu.
• Majapahit Empire was an Indian Kingdom and
established its base in Java from 1293 to 1500.
 PHIHIS: CHAPTER 4
Origination and Formation of Sulu Sultanate during the 14th Century Southeast Asia
ISLAM VIA INDIA
• Hayam Wuruk was a prominent leader of the
Majapahit Empire and dominated the kingdoms
of Sumatra, Bali, Borneo, Malay Peninsula and the
Philippines.
• In 1369, Sulu acquired its independence from
Majapahit and began sending tribute mission to
China in 1370 and 1372. Whatever cultural or
religious influences contributed by the Indians
did not flourish to its extent because of the arrival
of the Arabs significantly in 1380 till the 16th
century as peak season of Islam.
• The Arabs dominated the trade in Southeast
Asia that was once mastered by the Indians and
Chinese. Muslim traders and missionaries, who
came in the Philippines, primarily worked in Sulu,
Palawan and Mindanao.
• The introduction of Islam in the Philippines was
brought first by Asian Muslims then finally by
Arab missionaries.
• This took place when the Arab traders were
prevented from trading in China’s seaports
during the Tang dynasty (9th century) because
of the deteriorating political condition and the
increased of piracy in the area prompted
thousands of these foreign merchants (mostly
Muslims) left China.
• Arabs traders shift their maritime trade to
Southeast Asia (878 C.E.) specifically to Malaysia,
Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines. Eventually
Kalah, Malaysia and west of Sumatra became a
commercial entry port of Southeast Asia.
LAYONG, ZOEZEL
ARRIVAL OF THE ARABS VIA CHINA: TRADE & RELIGION
• The arrival of Muslim Arabs and Persians in China
was first on trading purposes then second on
religion.
• The conversion of the Chinese into Islam
occurred on the later part when Arab and
Persian missionaries started to flock in China.
• But, it was possible that Arab and Persian traders
also contributed to the conversion of the Chinese
into Islam by way of influenced and marriage.
• The idea of Islam was first brought by Indian and
Chinese Muslim traders long before the Arabs
reached the shores of Southeast Asia, Islam
reached Sulu via India then China.
• The Arabs who came to Southeast Asia were
traders and were later followed by missionaries
that were known as Makhdumins (teachers) or
by group of Sufi’s as professional teachers of
Islam.
• Evidence shows that there were trading activities
occurred in India and China with the presence of
Arabs and Persians and these extended as far as
Malaysia.
• It is safe to say that while Arabs were trading in
Malaysia, some Islamic practices penetrated in
the southern Philippines.
• The arrival of Islam in the Philippines may be
considered in two ways: (1) the arrival of Muslim
traders who influenced the natives toward Islam;
and (2) the arrival of Muslim Missionaries who
made significant introduction of the religion
(Majul, 1999.40).
 PHIHIS: CHAPTER 4
Origination and Formation of Sulu Sultanate during the 14th Century Southeast Asia

• It was only in the 9th century that the Arabs the Yakan, the Maranao, the Iranon, and the
began to spread the wings of Islam as far as Maguindanao (Jocano, 2001.25).”
China and reaching Southeast Asia (from • As to the case Maranao and the Iranon their
trading to religion) (Wang Gungwu cited by Islamic composition was much more influence
Majul, 1999.41). by the founding of the Maguindanao Sultanate
• The spread of Islam in the Philippines may come and other Sub-states of the sultanate.
in the form of conversion, adaptation of Islamic
ARAB MISSIONARIES FROM THE 10TH CENTURY
practices, faith and by conquest.
• Masha’ika or Mashayikh is one of the plural forms
• These Muslim traders from Arabia had
of the term “Shaikh,” a term of respect for elder
intermarriages with the Sulus and this provided
men or heads of certain religious institutions
them with the opportunity to set up communities.
(Gowing, 1998. 58).
• The Mohammedan religion reached Southeast
• It was said that Tuan Mashaika first appeared to
Asia because of trade linking it to religion. But the
have stayed in the area of Maymbung who was
mass conversion of the natives to Islam occurred
an Islamic missionary who came all Tomb of
in the 12th century in Kalah Malaysia and the rise
Sheik Makhdum Ul-Karim in Maimbung Island in
of Islamic Kingdom near Ache in Sumatra
Tawi-Tawi, first Islamic Sufi in the Philippines.
signaling Southeast Asia that Islam was a new
• Other experts suggest his tomb was actually in
found religion in the region.
Sibuto Island in Tawi-Tawi courtesy of Museo de
• Then Sulu in the early 13th century, on the
la Universidad de Zamboanga all the way from
construction of Shiek Makhdum from 1380 to
China and arrived in the southern Philippines
1400s on the founding of Sulu Sultanate, Malacca
before the 10th century.
in 1414 and Moluccas in the mid-16th century had
• Tuan Mashaika arrived in Sulu almost at the
its mass conversion from Hindu-Buddhism to
same time with Makhdum Ul-Karim.
Islam (Evangelista see Gowing, 1998.22).
• It was said that, Tuan Mashaika married Iddah
• Jolo was one of the trading stations developed
the daughter of a local chieftain (Rajah Sipad),
by Muslim traders in Southeast Asia, this
and settled down and established the first
contributed to the conversion of the natives in
Islamic community through religious conversion
Sulu who were serving as trading partners of
among the natives.viii Early Muslim presence in
those visiting Muslim missionaries.
Sulu could be confirmed by a grave on Bud datu
• This included local leaders or chiefs across the
(a mountain in Sulu) with a marker bearing the
Celebes Sea and the Sulu Archipelago.
name of Tuan Maqbalu.
• Islamic traditions and teachings were positively
• Tuan Magbalu (Ibrahim Al-Akbar Bin Malajuddin
accepted by the natives from “Sulu Archipelago,
Al-Hussaini) a local ruler with prominence was
Basilan, Palawan, and Mindanao-principally the
the first to convert the community in Buansa to
Samal, the Badjao, the Tausug, the Jama Mapon,
Islam.

LAYONG, ZOEZEL
 PHIHIS: CHAPTER 4
Origination and Formation of Sulu Sultanate during the 14th Century Southeast Asia

• Another noted missionary was Tuan Muhhadum • This means there were many Makhdumins who
commonly known as Makhdum. came to the Philippines but the most prominent
• Alkarim/Makhdum Ul Karim/ Karim Ul Makhdum, was Karim Al Makhdum whose marker is situated
also known Sharif Awliya. His full name was in Tawi-Tawi Marker commemorating the site of
Sayyid Makhdum Al-Akbar Bin Jamaluddin Al- the oldest mosque in the Philippines, courtesy of
Hussaini; other scholars would name him as Museo de la Universidad de Zamboanga Interior
Karim ul-Makhdum Ibrahim al-Akbar Ibn Jamal part of the mosque, site of the oldest mosque
ud-Din al Husayni.x Makhdum arrived in the 13th preserving one of the four original pillars of 1380,
century as the first known Sufi or professional courtesy of Museo de la Universidad de
Islamic teacher and converted the communities Zamboanga.
in Tawi-Tawi and in Buansa into Islam.
ISLAM IN THE 4TH CENTURY PHILIPPINES
• Makhdum Al-Karim was credited as the 1 st
• The founding of an Islamic Kingdom near Ache in
missionary who was responsible for the
Sumatra in 1292 signaled the Malay Islamic
construction of the first and oldest mosque in the
civilization in Southeast Asia (Ututalum and
Philippines which is situated in Tubig, Indangan,
Hedjazi. 2002.70).
Simunul Island in Tawi-Tawi. Following the
• This eventually spread to various areas in
tradition in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi both oral and
Southeast Asia such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and
written sources there were two Makhdumins.
Brunei and in the southern Philippines.
• “The first one called Karim and entitled Tuan
• According to the Tarsila (tradition) of Tawi-Tawi
Sharif Aulia was the one who came to Buansa,
a total of 44 missionaries arrived in the country
passed by Tapul, built a mosque at Tubig,
on different occasions before the arrival of
Indangan, died and was buried in Tandu Banak.
Christian missionaries (Majul, 1999.59).
• The other, Amin-ullah, entitled Mohadum and
• The spread of Islam was made possible through
Sayyid un-Nikab, indulged in trade and
trading activities, religious advocacies, and
missionary activities and was supposed to have
conversion of native rulers and inter marriages
been accompanied by Muslim Chinese (Gowing,
among Arab traders and Arab missionaries to
1998. 58).”
the natives.
• In Arab land the term Makhdum signifies master,
• Sharif Ali (Sultan Berkat of Brunei) was one of the
a person being served and honored.
earliest missionary who made a significant role
• The term was later on adopted in India and
in converting the Hindu believers to Islam in Jolo
Malaysia referring to teacher or person of
and strengthening the Islamic religion.xiWhen
wisdom. Thus, the Makhdums who came in the
Islam penetrated in Luzon and Mindanao, it was
Philippines were teachers or learned men.
not that evident in the Visayas region.

LAYONG, ZOEZEL
 PHIHIS: CHAPTER 4
Origination and Formation of Sulu Sultanate during the 14th Century Southeast Asia
• It was unknown in the Visayans region for they
were pagans at this period despite that Islam
had spread to Sulu, Maguindanao, Manila and
Batangas, it was unheard of among the Visayans
(Nakpil, 1977.76).
• The time when religious missionaries started to
spread in Southeast Asia they found out that
political settlements were already evident in
Southern Philippines (Sulu and Tawi-Tawi).
• From these settlements, series of conversion
drives were conducted to encourage the natives
to embrace the Islamic religion.
• The Buranun tribesmen in the interior of Sulu
islands were among the early converts.
• The trading activities in the Visayas with Borneo
did not clearly specify Muslim influence among
the Visayans. It was practically unheard.
• Their main activities may be analyzed purely
commerce and no religious connotation.
• It was in the early 14th century that Muslim
traders consolidated the barangays in Sulu
which eventually resulted in the formation of the
Sultanate in Sulu.
• The datus of the big Barangays began to take
the title of rajah like Rajah Matanda or Raja
Soliman (Jocano, 2001.160).
• The acceptance of Islam took a long process of
conversion until the 14th century.
SULTAN ABU BAKAR
• Abu Bakr is an Arab scholar born in Makka
(Mecca) the son of Zaynul Abidin from Mecca
and the daughter of the Sultan of Juhur
(Malacca) (Saleeby, 1963.45).
LAYONG, ZOEZEL
• He traveled from Baghdad and successfully
preached in Malacca, Palembang and (Bruney)
Brunei, later to Zamboanga, and then Basilan. He
reached Sulu by the invitation to rule Bwansa
(Saleeby, 1963.46).
• He married the daughter of Raja Baguinda
"Parmisuli or Permaisuri", and became the first
Sultan of Sulu (Tuban, 1994.22).
• Abu Bakr inherited the properties and power
since Raja Baguinda had no male heir.
• Abu Bakr was proclaimed as Shariful Hashim
later he was known as Paduka Mahasari
Maulana Sultan Shariful Hashim (Sheriff ul-
Hashim) Sayid Abu Bakr.
• The Taosug accepted Islam as their religion and
offered him as the Sultan (paramount datu or
leader). Abu Bakr rejected this since he was a
foreigner, and this led to the meeting of all the
Timuay (pre-Islamic leaders) for a consensus, he
then accepted it.
• According to their belief he shall rule both land
and sea that stretch the entire Sulu archipelago
(Surat 44). This indicates his power over his
dominion that should be applied from the day of
his proclamation and should be inherited by the
next Sultan. He reigned ahead than Sharif Ali of
Brunei (Sultan Berkat of Brunei) reigned.
• Scholars also agree that from 1400 to 1515 was a
crucial period on the founding of the Sultanate.
Local historians believed that the Sultanate was
founded in early 14th century while authoritative
authors identified 1450 or late 14th century as the
founding of the Sulu Sultanate.
 PHIHIS: CHAPTER 4
Origination and Formation of Sulu Sultanate during the 14th Century Southeast Asia
• There are two major versions on the founding
dates of Sulu Sultanate. Sulu Sultanate late 14th
century: 1450: (1) Sultan Shariful Hashim founded
the Sulu Sultanate in 1450 when he married
Dayang Dayang Paramesuli, the daughter of
Raja Baginda (Tuban, 1994.22).
• (2) Abu 10 Bakar reached Sulu in 1450 and
married Princess Paramisuli, the daughter of Raja
Baguinda. The power to rule Bwansa was later
given to Abu Bakr since Baguinda has no male
heir (Saleeby, 1963. 45).
• (3) Abu Bakr lived for 30 years in Sulu and died in
1480 (Saleeby, 1963.48).
• (4)The first Sultanate was founded by Sherif ul-
Hashim Abu Bakar in 1450 A.D. in Jolo, Sulu
followed by the second Sultanate in
Maguindanao (Cotabato) in 1511 A.D. by Sherif
Kabungsuan (Tan, 2005.xxxi).
• (5) It is speculated that Abu Bakr ruled Sulu in
1450 and died around 1480 (Majul, 1999.13). Sulu
Sultanate Early 14th century: 1401: (1)Sayid Abu
Bakr is from Heshemi Tribe of Saudi Arabia.
• He traveled through Baghdad, Palembang,
Brunei to Basilan (Philippines). His title was
Paduka Mahasari Maulana Sultan Shariful
Hashim (Ututalum and Hedjazi, 2003.31).
• (2) Sharif Al-Hashim became the first sultan and
reigned between 1401-1431 A.D. (Ututalum and
Hedjazi, 2003.34).
• (3) Abu Bakar married either the daughter of
Raja Baguinda or the young widow of Raja
Baguinda (Ututalum and Hedjazi, 2002.64-65).
• (4) The Sulu Sultanate was founded in 1401 as an
independent state.
LAYONG, ZOEZEL
• Abu Bakr had introduced Islamic political
institutions or at least he had further
consolidated Islam at Buansa making it as a
state religion (Majul, 1999.61).
• Shariful Hashim Abu Bakr had 3 children,
Alawaddin, Kamaluddin who visited China in 1417,
and a daughter named Salipa (Sharifa).
• The Sultanate he founded was known as the first
centralized political system in the Philippines as
a manifestation of the Islamic introduction in the
late 13th century.
• It existed almost four centuries and was the
leading state dominating trading activities in the
South Seas and spread the Islamic teachings as
an integral part of the sultanate to various parts
of Mindanao.
• 11 Territories that were influenced by Islamic
teachings and practices were formed under one
political system, the Sultanate of Sulu.
• Other Sultanate Kingdoms were established like
the sultanate of Maguindanao, minor sultanates
and forming Muslim communities as far as
Manila.
• According to Mindanao Tarsilas, Kabungsuan, a
Malay Muslim migrant from the Sultanate of
Jahore founded the Sultanate of Maguindanao.
Maynilad (Manila) and Tondal (Tondo) were two
Hindu kingdoms in Manila who converted to
Islam by Sultan Bulkia.
• The son of Abu Bakr (Shariful Hashim), Maha raja
Kalomanting also known as Batua the Sultan of
Batara went to China for tribute mission and was
proclaimed as the west king (Sultan) of Sulu by
the Emperor of China.
 PHIHIS: CHAPTER 4
Origination and Formation of Sulu Sultanate during the 14th Century Southeast Asia
• After the death of his father (Abu Bakr) he
assumed the throne as the Sultan of Sulu.
• However, he later abdicated his throne to give
way to his elder brother, Alauddin as part of the
power sharing. Kamaluddin/ Batua had two
sons; Sabuddin and Nassiruddin.
• After the death of Kamaluddin, his son Sabuddin
became the Sultan.
• He was also known as Muizzul Mutawaddiin
(Arabic for Exalter of the Humble) and
sometimes as Maharaja Upu. However,
Nassiruddin-I challenged his brother Sultan
Sabuddin. With this Nassiruddin-I was given a
share of power in the Sultanate (Ututalum-
Hedjazi, 2003.36).
CONCLUSION
• The founding of the Sulu Sultanate gave way to
the success on the propagation of Islam in the
Philippines as a form of monotheistic religion
worshipping one God.
• It also provided an avenue to unite the peoples
of Mindanao into a central government.
• The sultanate of Sulu was able to position itself
among the rest of Southeast Asian Kingdoms
and was notably recognized by Malaysia,
Indonesia and Brunei.
• The role portrayed by the Sulu Sultanate in the
history of Southeast Asia is undeniable. It will
forever remain in the pages of history and will
always inspire Mindanaoan of its elegant past.
LAYONG, ZOEZEL
• This is according to Datu Albi Ahmad Julkarnain,
chairman of Royal Datus. He is a local writer in
Zamboanga and a retired regional director of
Social security System in Region IX. He made
extensive travels in Malaysia, Brunei and
Indonesia.
• The interview was conducted last November 03,
2010 Holy men were referred as missionaries
while wandering scholars at that time where
referred to men interested in the field of oriental
cultures and religions.
• Buddhism is a major religion in India founded by
Siddharta Gautama later known as Gautama
Buddha was born in southern Nepal.
• He was responsible for laying the foundation of
Buddhism at age 35. Buddha lived between 563-
483 B.C. Buddhism spread from Nepal to main
land China and later India and Sri Lanka making
it as one of the oldest religion in the world
centered on one God as a monotheistic religion.
• Temple of Borobudur is dedicated to Buddha.
Angkor Wat (or Angkor Vat) temple in Cambodia
of Hindu-Buddhist influence.
• Hinduism is one of the oldest and the third
largest religion in the world at present.
• It is a conglomeration of religious, philosophical
and cultural ideas and practices originated from
India. The beliefs centered on the concept of
reincarnation, cause and effect and the cycle of
birth and death. Hinduism reached the
Philippines in the 7th century via Malaysia and
Indonesia as Indian influence extended to the
East of Southeast Asia.
 PHIHIS: CHAPTER 4
Origination and Formation of Sulu Sultanate during the 14th Century Southeast Asia

• There is no exact evidence leading to the origin • After his death he was succeeded by his son
or founding of Hinduism but, scholars estimated Sulaiman.
its existence by 2000 B.C in India. • Surat 44-Sultan of Sulu Hadji Muhammad
• The term Hindu was said to have been originated Jamalul Kiram II to the Civil Governor of Sulu,
from the Indus Valley in India but without any Major Scott 1904 (10-11 Shawwal 1322) See, Tan,
religious connotation. Samuel K. (2005).
• Francisco, Juan R. (1988). “Notes on the Contact • Surat Sug: Letters of Sultanate of Sulu, vol. I.
History of Mindanao and Sulu” see National Historical Institute, Manila.
“Understanding Islam and Muslims in the • When Sharif Ali (Sultan Berkat of Brunei) came to
Philippines edited by Peter Gowing. New Day Sulu he was not proclaimed Sultan since he was
Publishers, Quezon city, P.28 12 vi Oscar already a Sultan in Brunei.
Evangelista (1988). “Some Aspects of the History • The second sultanate was in Maguindanao
of Islam in Southeast Asia” edited by Peter (Cotabato) in 1511 A.D. by Sherif Kabungsuan.
Gowing see, Understanding Islam and Muslims in
the Philippines, New Day Publishers, Quezon City,
Philippines, 1988.
• The arrival of Islam in the Region and the
formation of the Muslim Sultanate of Mindanao
and Sultanate of Sulu.
• Prominent Muslim missionaries on their
contemporary were Tuan Mashaika, Tuan
Magbalu and Makhdum UlKarim.
• Tuan is the Malay Muslim title for chief, the idea
of Tuanship was introduced in Sulu in 1292 see,
Sururul-Ain Ututalum and Abdul- Karim Hedjazi.
• The full name of Makhdum was quoted by
Hedjazi from Majul, Ibid, Majul quoted the name
of Makhdum from the work’s of Augud al-Almus
on
• Sultan Sharif Ali was also known as Sultan Berkat
of Brunei (third Sultan of Brunei) who succeeded
Sultan Ahmad. Berkat married Pateri Ratina
Kesuma, daughter of Sultan Ahmad.
• This made him eligible to the throne since there
was no other male heir.

LAYONG, ZOEZEL