It is improbable that these immigrations and blendings were numerous prior to the founding of Manila (1571) and the coming of Mexican and Peruvian silver in trade. So vigorous was the Chinese invasion afterwards that it threatened to overthrow the Spanish rule, while it resulted in the creation of a large mestizo population. The red or American race found its way into the islands on the Spanish ships sailing annually between Acapulco and Manila in the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries. It was not so much a migration of peoples as of arts. There are evidences of small settlements of Mexican Indians in and about Luzon, and the civilized portions of the archipelago were enriched by maize, pineapples, tobacco, cacti, agaves, and the varied industries associated with them. The white race, in all its important elements, Hamitic, Semitic, and Aryan, was permanently mingled with the brown during the 250 years of Spanish domination. In Northern Luzon and in the mountainous and central portions of other islands the native blood has not been changed, but elsewhere the term ‘pure-blood’ has little meaning. This blending has been most rapid in the Tagal, Vicol, and Visaya tribes, which constitute the largest fraction of the population.
The Negritos are small in stature, with closely curled hair, yellow sclerotic coat, and white teeth, which they file. They are among the shortest of mankind, the average stature being 1.47 meters (58 inches). Their cranial capacity is 1100 to 1200 cubic centimeters, and their cranial index 85. The Malay or brown Filipinos are of dark chocolate color and average 1.50 meters (59 inches) in stature. Some are meagre in body, but most of them are sturdy.
Culture among the Filipinos extends from the low savagery of the Negrito tribes to a form of civilization fairly comparable with that of the countries on the continent adjacent. The industrial life of the Filipinos is partly agricultural and mechanical, partly maritime. The outrigger canoe is in evidence about all the islands. Clothing is little needed as a defense against cold, but the need of protection from the sun's rays and the rain has quickened inventive faculty in devising a style of headgear which combines the functions of hat and umbrella, varying from island to island, with a rain cloak, also varying in form and material. The dwellings are made of bamboo, rattan, and palm leaves. The original fire-making device was the fire-saw, consisting of a section of bamboo stem, notched and laid on the ground and rubbed crosswise by another piece in shape like a knife; the bamboo fire syringe is also common.
Industrially the Filipinos are in the Iron Age. They have little machinery. All their tools are of the rudest sort, and are either Malay or Spanish. Many of them, especially the Moro tribes, work cleverly in metals, but do little at mining or reduction of ores. Their most elaborate work is done on the blades of edged weapons. Pottery is made by the brown peoples for domestic purposes; working in hard woods is a fine art, and in textiles the Filipinos excel. They split the bamboo and rattan into delicate filaments for hats and screens; make thread, twine, and rope of the native hemp; ornament their clothing and furniture with delicate vines and grasses; and weave the finest of cloth from the fibre of the pineapple. These fabrics are plaited by hand or wrought on looms, but it is difficult to tell which processes are Malayan and which came through Hispano-Mexican influences. The more advanced tribes rear a variety of small horse that is tough and serviceable; but the chief domestic animal is the carabao or water bullalu, which is largely used for turning water wheels for irrigation and as a draught-animal for plowing or hauling. Native transportation was originally by means of the buffalo, and rude water craft. Even before the coming of the Spaniards, the Chinese and the Japanese carried on a brisk trade with Manila and introduced their vehicles and money. During the 250 years of Spanish domination the ‘groaning cart’ and old-style water craft partly took the place of native devices.
The Negrito weapons of war and the chase are the bow with string of bamboo, and arrows with heads of wood or of iron procured in trade. The brown peoples have inherited from their ancestors edged weapons set on a hilt or a shaft. They carry also wooden shields, decorated with patterns cut in and rubbed with lime wash or mud. Firearms of many patterns are to be found. Fortification of the village is effected by path splinters and spiked pitfalls.
Fine art among the Filipinos had no separate existence, but the possession of a strong artistic sense is revealed by the taste displayed in their industries. Even the Negritos are not devoid of it. The dress of men and women; the metal working of the men, especially on their weapons; the exquisite textile work of the women—all show artistic instinct. Under the influence of Spanish teaching and the inspiration of European and Christian motifs, some of the native Filipinos have attained distinction in painting and literature.
The principal tribes and languages are: Abaca, Abra-Igorrote, Abulone, Adang, Aeta, Agutaino, Altaban, Apayao, Aripa, Atá, Bagobo, Baluga, Bangot, Barangan, Bátak, Batane, Bicol, or Vicol, Bilane or Vilane, Bisaya or Visaya, Bouayanan, Buhuano, Bulalacauno, Bukidno, Bukil, Buquitnon, Cagayan, Calangan, Calamian, Calaua, Calinga, Caraga, Carolano, Catalangan, Catubangan, Cimarron, Coyuvo, Culáman, Dadayag, Dulangan, Dumagate, Durugmun, Eta, Gaddane, Gamungan, Guianga, Guimbahano, Guinaane, Halaya, Hiliguayna, Hilloona, Ibalone, Ibanag, Ibilao, Ifugao, Igorrote, Ilamut, Ilanos, Ilocanos, Ilongote, Iraya, Isinay, Ita, Itaa, Italone, Itanega, Itetapane, Kiangane, Lutanga, Lutayo, Maguindanao, Malauec, Malanao, Mamánua, Mandaya, Manguanga, Manguiane, Manobo, Mayoyao, Moro, Mundo, Nabayugan, Negrito, Palauan, Pampango, Pangasinan, Quiangan, Sámale, Sameaca, Sangley, Sanguile, Silipan, Subano, Tagabaloye, Tagabawa, Tagabelie, Tagacaolo, Tagala, Tagbanua, Tandolano, Tinguian, Tinitian, Tino, Tiruray, Vico (Bicol), Vilane, Visaya (Bisaya), Zambale. Some of these names are also applied to localities, in which case the people may be called after the place, which is rare, or they may have given designation to the place, which is common. The more important tribes and languages are defined in their several places.
HISTORY.
In accordance with the terms of the Demarcation Bull of Pope Alexander VI. of May 4, 1493, the Spaniards were to make discoveries and to establish colonies beyond a meridian line in the Atlantic 100 leagues west of the Azores (later by
