Butuan City and the Balangay Boat: A Slice of the Country's Pre-Colonial Past

The last part of our Eastern Mindanao saga is in Butuan City. Our departure for Manila will be at the Butuan’s Bancasi Airport. Reason is that among the flight options, Entry and Exit in Butuan is the cheapest when we made the booking.

Butuan City is one of the most historical cities in the Philippines. According to records, this city has significant influence and trading activities from India, China, Vietnam and the Malay Archipelago during the Pre-Spanish Philippines. Our first stop was the Butuan National Museum, a short tricycle ride from the Butuan City Center.

Entrance to Butuan's National Museum

When we arrived at the National Museum some parts are being renovated, but I am glad that we were able to see the important artifacts there. Tools that were used by the ancient Butuaons were excavated and displayed in the museum.

 

 

 

There are also skulls displayed.

Excavated Skulls

Objects of trade such as pots, oriental jars, and ceramics are also displayed.

This proves that there was an extensive trade between this part of the Philippines and the rest of Asia, and proving that to some extent Filipinos are civilized before the arrival of the Spaniards, contrary to the claims of the latter.

(Politically speaking though, the Philippines as a country has not yet existed, islands were ruled by independent local leaders)

 
 

Next stop was the Balangay Excavation Site. This place is a short tricycle away from the National Museum. Balangay refers to the wooden boats, similar to the Banca used by Filipinos in modern times. It was used by the ancient Filipinos to travel around the country, and the Southeast Asia. This proves that ancient Filipinos are not just good traders but also good navigators. Balangay is also the etymology of the word Barangay, the smallest political subdivision of modern Philippines.

Coffin Burials are also found in the place. Researchers found that these were constructed around 14^th – 15^th century AD.

Around 15-minute tricycle away from the Balangay Excavation Site, we went to the Magellan Anchorage Site. This place is where according to stories Magellan landed. I am honestly confused about the history behind this, some of the locals there were claiming that Magellan indeed landed here instead of Leyte and held the first mass in the Philippines here. There is also a large cross there signifying the historical importance of this site.

Whatever the real story is I am glad that we have explored this place, a chance to learn more about the country’s history. It feels better actually seeing the artifacts instead of just reading them from the books.