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Native American History in the Philippines

Elaine-Lehman

By: Elaine Lehman

 

The month of November marks Native American Heritage Month. We observe our shared history, which began not on the shores of what is now the United States but in the Philippines, through the long journey of the Manila – Acapulco Galleons, which was the main form of communication between the two Spanish territories. Between 1565 and 1821, trans -Pacific trade brought many Spanish and enslaved Mexican natives to the Philippines as sailors, crew, prisoners, slaves, adventurers, and soldiers.

This resulted in an estimated 250 “loan” words of Nahuatl origin in the Tagalog language still used today in everyday life, including the terms used to call parents Nanay (Mother) and Tatay (Father). Nahuatl known historically as Aztec, is a language or group of languages of the Uto-Aztecan language family, which extends as far north as eastern Oregon. Varieties of Nahuatl are spoken by about 1.7 million speakers in central Mexico, Nahuatl is one of the most widely-spoken indigenous languages of the Americas. During the 15th century at the height of the Aztec empire, Nahuatl served as the Aztecs’ principal language of administration, culture, and commerce. The variety spoken in their imperial capital of Tenochtitlan (now Mexico City) spread rapidly across Mesoamerica. Once partially written with pictographs, Nahuatl has employed a Latin-based alphabet since the Spanish conquest. A rich literary tradition flourished, particularly in the 16th and 17th centuries, including poems, myths, historical chronicles, administrative documents, and texts in other genres. There are more words that are not studied but have similarities with the Nahuatl, especially in the Visayan language, such as sikwate/ tsokolate (xocolātl) for chocolate and kamonsil (guamúchil / cuamúchil / huamúchil) for manila tamarind, etc.

The Macabebes, from the ancient town of Macabebe in the province of Pampanga, Luzon, are intimately linked to the Pampanga River (Rio Grande de la Pampanga). They were famous for their dynamic and at times conflicting roles in Philippines history and for their agility as Philippine Scouts (Maghahanap ng Pilipinas or Hukbong Maghahanap ng Pilipinas). They are also linked to the Aztecs, specifically Yaqui people. Emilio Aguinaldo wrote about this account in his memoirs as cited by historian Teodoro Agoncillo. During the Philippine-American War, Americans were surprised that some old folks could still speak the Yaqui Language s and some natives were still practicing ancient traditions common to the Aztec Yaqui culture. The Yaqui are anUto-Aztecan speaking indigenous people of Mexico who inhabit the valley of the Río Yaqui in the Mexican state of Sonora and the Southwestern United States. They also have communities in Chihuahua, Durango and Sinaloa. The Pascua Yaqui Tribe is based in Tucson, Arizona. Yaqui people live elsewhere in the United States, especially California, Texas and Nevada.

The Macabebes served in the military supporting the Spanish rule, even overseas, for three hundred years. Thus, they enjoyed privileges not afforded to other Filipinos which caused a rift in tribal entities. According to the U.S. Army, in June 1898, the town of Macabebe, was abandoned by Spanish troops and was overrun by revolutionaries who fought against Spanish colonialism. The town was plundered and burned and Macabebe soldiers were beheaded. In response, the Macabebes joined American forces as civilian employees of the Quartermaster Department, after approval of Lieutenant Matthew Batson’s plans to recruit 92 Macabebes as scouts. The armed scouts protected their own provinces against insurgency in the absence of U.S. forces. Several battles in Luzon pitted U. S. and Macabebes successfully against the revolutionaries. Another achievement of the Macabebes was their role in the defeat of the Moro Rebellion. The Moro tribes occupied southern territories comprising over 95 occupied islands in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The Moros were expert in guerilla warfare, and known to be the fiercest of all Philippine inhabitants with a tradition of jihad against anyone trying to rule them. The Moros fought with any weapon available – flintlocks, Mausers, Krags, kris, spears, and bolo knives. Relations between Moros and Americans were positive initially, but they eventually deteriorated, and several more skirmishes ensued. Documented accounts describe the Moros as being equipped only with spears and knives which were ineffective against the modern weapons of the Americans. The absence of Moro possession of firearms was due to the successful confiscation of arms by the Macabebe Scouts during previous periods of peace, a task only possible by groups who would not stir ethnic rivalries and had knowledge of the local geography. “…Capt. Batson had told the men that he would publish each month the names of the men who had captured guns or bolos from the insurrectos.”

After the Philippine American war, the Macabebe scouts, known for efficiency, loyalty, and discipline, would be converted into the newly officially recognized Philippine Scouts, part of the regular U.S. Army. The Philippine Scouts continued to serve with great distinction right into World War II.

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