Pre-Colonial Philippines

Agriculture. There used to be two systems of farming--- the dry or kaingin method (also known as slash-and-burn agriculture) and the wet or irrigation method. The development of the intricate rice terraces (as in Ifugao) remains a hydraulic engineering marvel to many.

Our ancestors not only raised crops but also medicinal herbs. They raised poultry and domestic animals.

They recognized the existence of public and private property. The mountainsides and less arable lands were the property of the barangay or public property, which meant that they were open to everyone who wanted to till them. The cultivated lands were the property of private individuals (most of which are nobles and datus). These private lands were acquired by inheritance, purchase and occupation.

Industries. While farming was the primary industry, early Filipinos engaged in other industries.

Some were still engaged in hunting and fishing--- the latter being a gainful occupation be

Indic Writings of the Mindoro-Palawan Axis

Among the freemen and serfs the bride and groom just drank wine (pitarilla) from the same cup. Then they listened to the wish shouted by their guests for a long, happy married life.

Literature. As expressed in their native literature, Filipino culture at the time of discovery was high. Native literature started as a manifestation of the people's love to their deities, anitos, spirits, gods and goddesses. It consisted of songs (awits or dalits), maxims or sabi, riddles or bugtong, prayers, proverbs or sawikain, and of "a kind of face representing and criticizing local customs (examples are duplo and karagatan in which riddles or bugtong play a considerable role)." According to early historians, there were no less than twenty kinds of songs. In prose, they had fables and drolls. The native plays were invariably associated with music. The players danced and sang to the accompaniment of the string instruments called codyapi, bangsi and colelong. The music and the dance were executed not only as a form of amusement but as a serious occupation.

Some topics in this essay:
Superstitions Auguries, Mindoro Palawan, Maliwanag Kinship, Customs Marriages, Moros Mindanao, Moluccas Agriculture, Slave Free, Judicial System, Dressing Clothing, China Literature, ko /, tagalog script, activities ancestors, bride groom, called barangays, drank wine, native literature, gods anitos, slave free, 16th century, law village crier, own property marry, called barangays barangay, 365 days month, / cousin /,