Philippine E-Journals

The Participation of Butuan in the Southeast Asian Maritime Trade before the Advent of Western Civilization

Mary Jane Louise A Bolunia

 

Abstract:

Involvement in the ancient maritime trade by the Philippines has not been fully understood. This paper investigates the involvement of Butuan, one of the independent polities found in northeastern Mindanao, southern Philippines, in the maritime trade between the 10th-13th centuries A.D. The Philippines, particularly Butuan, has been considered peripheral to the ancient maritime trade because of its easternmost geographical location vis-à-vis mainland Southeast Asia and Indonesia, although evidence suggests otherwise. The discovery of plankbuilt, edge-pegged boats and Chinese tradeware ceramics in the area prove Butuan’s involvement in the trade. Other imported artifacts included rhinoceros teeth, glass beads, an ivory seal with the word Puduan, and a gold image of Tara, a Buddhist escort. The landscape of Butuan has undergone many changes due to geologic factors. The use of geomorphological maps helped in identifying the areas that were used by the different groups of people but are no longer easily seen. Identified fault-lines bisected Butuan; they pushed the Agusan River, one of only two major river systems in Mindanao, from west to east, inundating and drying places in the process. There were different groups of people that participated in the involvement of Butuan in the maritime trade. There were the Sama, the Muslim traders, the Butuanon chieftains and people, and the Manobo.