Early Cebu history starts around 30,000 years ago, when a group or waves of Oceanic or Austronesian peoples, known as Malayo-Polynesians, occupied Cebu island and the whole archipelago.
Similar to their ancestral roots, Cebuanos had the seafaring cultures akin with the Micronesian people, but closer to mainland Asia that they engaged with in trade including Japan, Okinawa, India, China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Arabia.The trading of goods and other products among these cultures have undoubtedly influenced each other in various aspects including cultural values and traditions, such as beliefs and way of life.
Early Cebu History: Beliefs
For that reason, ancient Cebuanos are deeply influenced by Japan, China, India, and Borneo. The Cebuanos and those countries traded pearls and coral for silk, gold, weapons, spices and other products they could use.
Early Cebuanos were animists or worshipers of anitos (spirits) living in nature, a belief which was later forbidden when Catholicism was introduced on the island.
Hispanic Influences
The introduction of Catholicism to Cebu has heavily influenced Cebuanos as evident by the huge number of devoted Catholic Cebuanos. Due to the influences from Spanish (and Mexican) language and culture Cebuano language is filled with Spanish loanwords.
Such Hispanic influences are also evident in Cebuano cuisine, costumes, festivities, music, dances, costumes, arts & crafts, among others. Intermarriage between the colonizers and natives are also evident among Cebuano (or Filipinos in general) names and family names, fairer skin color, or mixed ancestry.Early Cebu History: Traditional Religions
Traditionally, Cebu culture, customs, and traditional beliefs can be characterized as a mixture of Malay traditions, Asian cultures, Spanish, including American culture – mostly introduced by Protestant missionaries later on. Although the majority of Cebuanos are Christians (Catholics), you can also find some believers of Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, among other religions that were absorbed by the natives many years ago.
Among the popular festivals on the island, Sinulog has been the most notable. Catholic authorities and government authorities made it all the more a popular attraction among locals and foreigners alike. It is celebrated annually on every third week of January.
Rajahnate of Cebu
Prior to the coming of the Spanish conquistadores, rajahnate was the common form of state or government of Cebu island. This rajahnate was established by Sri Lumay (aka Rajamuda Lumaya), who was a prince of Chola Dynasty that ruled Sumatra then. Initially, he was commissioned by the maharajah to establish a base for their army force; instead, he created his own rajahnate which he himself ruled.
Ruling the Rajahnate
Sri Lumay was a Malay and descendant of a native royal family that practiced Hinduism. One of his several sons, Sri Alho, ruled a land known as Sialo that included the present towns of Carcar and Santander – south of the province.
Another son, Sri Ukob, ruled a kingdom called Nahalin that included the present towns of Co
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Answer:
Early Cebu history starts around 30,000 years ago, when a group or waves of Oceanic or Austronesian peoples, known as Malayo-Polynesians, occupied Cebu island and the whole archipelago.
Similar to their ancestral roots, Cebuanos had the seafaring cultures akin with the Micronesian people, but closer to mainland Asia that they engaged with in trade including Japan, Okinawa, India, China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Arabia.The trading of goods and other products among these cultures have undoubtedly influenced each other in various aspects including cultural values and traditions, such as beliefs and way of life.
Early Cebu History: Beliefs
For that reason, ancient Cebuanos are deeply influenced by Japan, China, India, and Borneo. The Cebuanos and those countries traded pearls and coral for silk, gold, weapons, spices and other products they could use.
Early Cebuanos were animists or worshipers of anitos (spirits) living in nature, a belief which was later forbidden when Catholicism was introduced on the island.
Hispanic Influences
The introduction of Catholicism to Cebu has heavily influenced Cebuanos as evident by the huge number of devoted Catholic Cebuanos. Due to the influences from Spanish (and Mexican) language and culture Cebuano language is filled with Spanish loanwords.
Such Hispanic influences are also evident in Cebuano cuisine, costumes, festivities, music, dances, costumes, arts & crafts, among others. Intermarriage between the colonizers and natives are also evident among Cebuano (or Filipinos in general) names and family names, fairer skin color, or mixed ancestry.Early Cebu History: Traditional Religions
Traditionally, Cebu culture, customs, and traditional beliefs can be characterized as a mixture of Malay traditions, Asian cultures, Spanish, including American culture – mostly introduced by Protestant missionaries later on. Although the majority of Cebuanos are Christians (Catholics), you can also find some believers of Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, among other religions that were absorbed by the natives many years ago.
Among the popular festivals on the island, Sinulog has been the most notable. Catholic authorities and government authorities made it all the more a popular attraction among locals and foreigners alike. It is celebrated annually on every third week of January.
Rajahnate of Cebu
Prior to the coming of the Spanish conquistadores, rajahnate was the common form of state or government of Cebu island. This rajahnate was established by Sri Lumay (aka Rajamuda Lumaya), who was a prince of Chola Dynasty that ruled Sumatra then. Initially, he was commissioned by the maharajah to establish a base for their army force; instead, he created his own rajahnate which he himself ruled.
Ruling the Rajahnate
Sri Lumay was a Malay and descendant of a native royal family that practiced Hinduism. One of his several sons, Sri Alho, ruled a land known as Sialo that included the present towns of Carcar and Santander – south of the province.
Another son, Sri Ukob, ruled a kingdom called Nahalin that included the present towns of Co