Barangay Sixteenth-Century Philippine Culture And Society Pdf
Philippines is a country that boasts of diverse communities that embody different cultures, traditions, and beliefs. Among the most prominent of these communities is barangay, a term used to refer to a small administrative division in the country. During the sixteenth century, Philippine society experienced an array of changes that revolutionized various aspects of life including culture, politics, and economy.
What is Barangay?
Barangay, also known as a barrio, is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines. It is the primary political and local government unit in the country, consisting of 50-100 households. Each barangay is governed by a barangay captain, who is elected by the residents through a popular vote.
Barangays existed in the Philippines even before the Spanish colonization in the sixteenth century. They functioned as the social and economic units of the pre-colonial society, and were largely influenced by the cultures of Malay and Hindu kingdoms that existed in Southeast Asia during that era.
The Sixteenth Century in the Philippines
The sixteenth century marked a significant chapter in the Philippine history, as it was the time when Spanish conquistadores arrived in the country and started to colonize it. The arrival of the Spaniards brought about drastic changes in the Philippine culture and society, paving the way to the growth of a new civilization that is unique from the pre-colonial era.
The sixteenth century witnessed the introduction of Christianity in the Philippines, which eventually became the predominant religion in the country. The Spanish also introduced a new political system, which saw the establishment of encomiendas, haciendas, and pueblos. The introduction of such systems changed the way land was owned and the way people lived in Philippine society.
Barangay in the Sixteenth Century
The arrival of the Spaniards did not only bring about changes in the Philippines' religion and political system, but also in the way barangays were governed. The Spanish created the position of the cabeza de barangay or the barangay captain, whose role was to represent the barangay in different activities, such as tax collection and maintaining peace and order.
Barangays during the sixteenth century played a crucial role in the economy of the Philippines, as they were primarily responsible for the production of crops and other products that were exported to other countries. The Spanish colonizers recognized the importance of barangays in the Philippine economy and even introduced a system of tribute collection, which required each barangay to pay a certain amount of money or goods to the Spanish government annually.
Conclusion
The sixteenth century was a time of profound changes in Philippine culture and society, and barangays were not immune to these changes. The Spanish colonization influenced the structure of barangays and gave birth to new systems of governance, religion, and economy. Despite these changes, barangays remained a vital part of Philippine society, and to this day, continue to be the backbone of the country's local government system.