Datu
Datu or datto is the title for ancient tribal chieftains and monarchs in the pre-Hispanic Philippines. Together with sultan and raja, they are also titles of royalty and currently used in Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. These titles are the equivalent of European dukes and marquesses. The word datu was derived from two Malay words: dato' or datok, which are royal titles of the Malays. The myth of the arrival of ten Bornean datus is celebrated in the Binirayan festival in the island of Panay, which in ancient times was known as the island of "Aninipay".
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Datu in Filipino Muslim society
Muslims in the Philippines are called 'Moros', a term inherited from the Spaniards. In the traditional structure of Filipino Muslim societies, sultans were the highest authority followed by the datus, with their rule being sanctioned by the Qur'an. Datus were measured by the number of their followers. In return for tribute and labor, the datu provided aid in emergencies and advocacy in disputes with other communities, through the agamat. A datu is basic to the smooth function of the Filipino Muslim society. He was a powerful authority figure who may have as many as four wives but in modern times usually has only one. In the old days, they led raids on other villages. They may demand revenge (maratabat) for the death of a follower or upon injury to his honor. Datus continued to act as the community leaders in Muslim societies in Mindanao and administered the Sharia (Islamic law) through the agama. The support of the datu was essential for government programs in Muslim communities.
Datu in Filipino Martial Arts
The title of "Datu" has been bestowed upon 6 practitioners of the martial art known as Modern Arnis. Remy Presas, the founder of the system, decided to use the title as a "leadership" signifier, separate from rank. It has been the source of some controversy in the Filipino based systems.
Recorded List of Datus in the Philippines.
- Datus of Pre-hispanic Panay
- Datu Dinagandan - First ruler of Aklan, circa 1200
- Kalantiao - Ruler of Aklan in 1399.
- Datu Paiburong - Ruler of Iloilo
- Datus in the Maragtas epic
- Irong-irong
- Kalantiaw III /Rajah Bendahara Kalantiaw - Formulated the Code of Kalantiaw in 1433 (legendary, see related article).
- Datu Puti - One of the 10 Bornean Datus to arrive in Iloilo before the Spanish colonial period. (legendary but may be based on facts, see related article)
- Datus during Spanish colonization
- Rajah Calambu - Chief in 1521 of Limasawa, brother of Rajah Siagu of Butuan. He met Ferdinand Magellan and guided him to Cebu on April 7, 1521.
- Rajah Humabon - Ruler of Cebu who became an ally of Ferdinand Magellan. Enemy and relative of Lapu-Lapu. In 1521, he and his wife were baptized and renamed themselves Carlos and Juana after the Spanish King Carlos and Queen Juana.
- Sultan Kudarat - Sultan of Maguindanao.
- Rajah Lakandula - Ruler of Tondo, one of the last rulers of Maynilad.
- Lapu-Lapu - Ruler of Mactan Island. He defeated Ferdinand Magellan in April 27, 1521. He is the Philippines' first national hero.
- Datu Sikatuna - Ruler of Bohol in 1565. He made a pact with the conquistador Miguel López de Legaspi.
- Rajah Suliman (also Rajah Sulayman) - One of the last rulers of Maynilad.
- Rajah Tupas - Last Datu of Cebu, conqured by Legazpi.
- Other Datus
- Datus of Sulu
- Datu Macabulos - Ruled with elders the town of Lubao, Pampanga around 1571.
- Datu Pax S. Mangudadato - Modern datu and Governor of Sultan Kudarat (2001-2004)
- Rajah Siagu - Chief of the Manobo tribe in 1521.
- Urduja - Pre-hispanic female ruler in Pangasinan. (Legendary see related article)
- Sultan Hajji Datu Amir bin Muhammad Baraguir, 25th Sultan of Maguindanao
See also
- President of the Philippines
- Royal Governor of the Philippines
- Malay titles
- Sultanate of Sulu
- Sultanate of Maguindanao
- Sultan
- Raja
- Filipino muslim
Categories
Filipino Datus, Rajas and Sultans | Titles of national or ethnic leadership