Datu
Datu or Datto is a title for the rulers of Southeast Asia and is among other things, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and used in Indonesia. In Indonesia, in the Batak Toba on the island of Sumatra, the term comes to the importance of magic priest. Datu were, and partly still, ruler of more or less large areas of these nations and usually a Sultan or Raja subordinate. The caste would be comparable to the European dukes, counts, or a Marquis. Depending on how much power they exert themselves.
The word Datu derived from the Old Malay term date 'or Datok, a reign title of the Malays.
Together with the Maharlika, the Timawa and the Alipin formed the Datu the caste system of the medieval Southeast Asia.
Even today there are in all of the above nations such princes.
Furthermore, the title " Datuk Seri " for male members of the Malaysian Parliament ( Dewan Rakyat ) was used.
Datus in the Philippines
Muslim Philippine society
The ethnic group of Moro, a term which was adopted from the Spanish, is the largest ethnic group of Muslims in the Philippines. In the traditional structure of the Muslim sultans Filipinos have the highest authority followed by the Datus, whose decisions are based on the Koran.
The influence of Datus is measured by the number of their subordinates. As compensation for taxes and labor services, the Datus provide them assistance in emergencies and assistance in disputes with other communities. A Datu is the basis for a smooth process in the Muslim Filipino society. He is a powerful authority figure, the earlier at least four wives were granted, at the present time but not more than one. In earlier days also raids were arranged in other localities of them thoroughly. They also had the right to retaliation ( maratabat ) for the death of subjects or due to a violation of their honor.
Datus are still in Muslim societies on the island of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago, leaders of a community and they manage there the Shari'a ( Islamic law ). The support of the Datu is an important part in the government processes of a Muslim community.
Christianized Philippine society
After the Christianization of the Philippines, the reigning Datus retain their state and their rights, but with the requirement to convert to Christianity and to serve the Spanish Crown. King Philip II signed on 11 June 1594 Act, which was promised them this.
This order confessed to the local nobles to the same respect and the same privileges as they had before their conversion to Christianity. Later they became a part of an exclusive and elite ruling class, called the principalia, in the municipalities of the Spanish Philippines.
Legend of the 10 Datus
The legend of the 10 Datus is known in the Philippines as the Maragtas legend. This states that more than 746 years ago, about 1240, that 10 brave and noble rulers have landed on the shores of Iloilo, to exchange them for gold country. They came from the Kingdom of Bornay (now Borneo), fleeing from the wrath of the evil ruler Rajah Makatunao. They took large vessels, called Balanghays, and set sail to find a place where they could live in peace and harmony. One moonless night on 15 April 1240 they went, along with their families, soldiers, slaves and consultants, into the unknown in search of a promised land.
The myth of the arrival of the 10 Datus is still celebrated with the Binirayan Festival on the island of Panay, which was still called the island of " Aninipay " long ago.
List of known nobleman of the Philippine archipelago
- Datus the pre-Hispanic period on Panay Datu Dinagandan - First ruler of Aklan, circa 1200
- Kalantiao - Regent of Aklan to 1399.
- Datu Paiburong - Regent of Iloilo
- Datu Padojinog - rulers in the region of the Visayas together with his wife Ribongsapaw. Datu Padojinog was one of the 10 Datus from Borneo.
- Datus in the Maragtas era Kalantiaw III. / Rajah Bendahara Kalantiaw - Formulated in 1433, Code of Kalantiaw (legend, discussed in the accompanying article).
- Datu Puti - one of the 10 Datus from Borneo, which in pre-Hispanic times, the coast of Iloilo reached ( a legend, but based on facts, see corresponding section).
- Raja Colambu - Chief of Limasawa 1521, brother of Rajah Siagu from Butuan City. He met Ferdinand Magellan and guided him to Cebu on April 7, 1521.
- Rajah Humabon - ruler of Cebu, an ally and member of Ferdinand Magellan's enemy Lapu -Lapu. 1521, he and his wife were baptized and named themselves after Carlos and Juana after the Spanish kings Carlos I and Joanna of Castile.
- Sultan Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat - Sultan of Maguindanao.
- Raja Lakandula - Regent of Tondo, one of the last ruler of Maynilad.
- Lapu -Lapu - ruler of Mactan. He defeated Ferdinand Magellan April 27th 1521. He is the first national hero of the Philippines.
- Datu Sikatuna -. Ruler of Bohol to 1565, he entered into a blood brotherhood with the Conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legaspi.
- Rajah Sulayman (also called Rajah Suliman ) - the last ruler of Maynilad. He was defeated by Martín de Goiti, the leader of the expedition, which was sent by Legaspi to Maynilad.
- Raja Tupas - Last Datu of Cebu, subjection of Legazpi.
- Datus of Sulu
- Datu Macabulos - ruled with the elders of the town of Lubao, Pampanga to 1571st
- Datu Pax S. Mangudadato - Datu today's time and governor of the province of Sultan Kudarat (2001-2004)
- Rajah Siagu - chief of the ethnic group of the Manobo to 1521.
- Rajah Mutya Urduja - Princess of Pangasinan.
- Sultan Hajji Datu Amir bin Muhammad Baraguir, 25th Sultan of Maguindanao
- Raja Silonga, Sultan of Buayan, resisted the Spanish attempts to conquer Mindanao and launched the first Moro raids in the Visayas
- Datu Ubal brother of Raja Silonga