OUR HERITAGE FROM

INDIA, CHINA AND

ARABIA
Our Early Contacts with India
- Indirect through the
Indianized countries of the
Malaysian world.
-Came to the Philippines as
early as 900 AD.
HINDU ANTIQUES
*The Gold image of Agusan– this statue of a hindu goddess
was found at Esperanza, Agusan Province in 1917.
*Bronze statue of Hindu God Siva- found in Mactan in
1843.
*The Copper image of Ganesha – hindu
elephant God, found in Mactan in 1843.
*The clay medallions of the 13th century
Buddhist- Siamese, found in Batangas
province in 1958.
*The Gold Garuda Pendant – found in
Brooke’s Point, Palawan in 1961.
 Influences of India
*Hindu heritage of thec Philippines is religious,
social, and economic. Traces of hindu culture is
found in our:
1.)religion
2.)jobs
3.)writing
4.)language
5.)customs
6.)race
 Bathala –
*In religion, the Hindus taught us to pray to many
Gods, Spirits and Images. The word “Bathala” is of
Indian origin.
*In writing, our ancient alphabet came from their
Sanskrit writing. In language, the Pilipino (Tagalog)
language has 375 Sanskrit words.
Examples: ama (father),
Asawa(spouse),Halaga(price), Maharlika(noble),
Nanay(mother), Mutya(pearl), Paa(foot),
Raha(king) and Sandata(weapon)
 
The Sarong (skirt) and the Putong
(turban) of Ancient Filipinos are from
India.
Superstitious Beliefs:
*A maiden who sings merrily while
cooking will mary an old widower.
*A pregnant woman who eats twin
bananas will give birth to twins.
*A comet flashing in the sky is an ill
omen, for it brings famine, pestilence,
war, or other calamities.
Customs:
a.) Hanging a garland of fresh flowers around the neck of a visitor as a
symbol of friendship and hospitality.
b.) Giving a dowry by the groom to the bride’s parents and rendering
personal services in the household of his prospective parents-in-law.
c.) Showering the groom and the bride with rice after the wedding
ceremony.
d.) Offering buyo (mixture of betelnut, lime and ikmo leaf) to a visitor
as a sign of hospitality.
e.) Pilgrimage of a childless couple to a holy shrine whose deity is
believed to have the power to grant their wish for a child.
OUR CHINESE HERITAGE
*Traces of Chinese influence are found in our jobs,
costumes, food, customs, language and blood.
*Filipino learned
the manufacture of
gunpower and method of placer gold mining.
*The use of slippers (chinelas), wooden clogs
(bakya) and umbrella are of Chinese origin.
 *Unfortunately, some terrible vices were: the use of
firecrackers at New Year, the tong(fee)
For owners of gambling dens, and gambling with jueteng,
cards and mah – jong.
 *Chinese influences on our national language is
considerable about 1,500 words.
Ate-------------- a-chi
Gunting --------kau-ting
Susi--------------sosi
Tiani-------------tiah-ming
Our Heritage from Arabia
*The Early Arabs who made the first contact
who made the first contact to Philippines were
non- Muslims.
*Mukdum ( Karim-ul Makhdum) – in 1380,
built first mosque in Simunul, Sulu.
*Abu Bakr – founded Sultanate of Sulu
Islam – The greatest gift of Arabia, a living
religion in Mindanao.
*With this Religion came:
*a new form of government – The
Sultanate.
*King- title sultan
*Raha -heir
*Dayang – Princess
*Kali -Judge
-
Our Arabic Heritage
*Arabic culture has influenced our
Religion, Politics, and Social Life.
*Islamic customs such as: Polygamy,
Divorce and Slavery

 
 Ramadan – this is the muslim holy festival of
fasting and prayer.
*Some famous Filipino epic poems, tales and plays
are of Muslim origin.
Example: Moro -moro play of the Tagalogs and
the epic poem Darangan of Maranao.
Singkil is a royal Muslim dance of the
Maranao.

 
Some Tagalog words have Arabic origin examples:
*Akma – akma – appropriate
*Alak – arak – wine
* Pilat – pirat – scar
* Salamat – salam- thanks