Today, the Visayas are perhaps the most numerous people in the Philippines. Bisayan has territorial dialects, but the representatives of this people also speak Filipino (which arose after the standardization of the Tagalog language, absorbing a little from other languages found in the Philippines) and English. Previously, the Visaya script was based on an alphabet called Grantha, which was common in South India and which has left its mark on many writing systems. Visaya is now used in writing in the Latin alphabet.
"Painted" people
The origin of the name of this people is not known for certain, but some scientists and researchers believe that it is rooted in the word "Srivijaya". This was the name of the first Indonesian state, which included a significant part of the archipelagos. The state existed from the 7th to the 14th century, its center was on the island of Sumatra, and it included West Java, West Kalimantan, Malacca and other conquered territories. The Bisay Islands were also part of a powerful power that controlled trade routes.
In the 16th century, during colonization, the Spaniards used the term "visaya" only in relation to the inhabitants of Panay Island and the neighboring small islands. Europeans called the other visayas "pintados", which means "decorated" in Spanish. The inhabitants of the islands of Cebu, Bohol and others received this nickname for their love of tattoos. Sometimes tattoos covered almost the entire body, which could not but shock the Europeans, who would never agree to pierce the skin with sharp pieces of iron and cover open wounds with a black, quickly absorbing powder. The more tattoos, the more experienced in hostilities and fearless a man was considered.
United religions
The region was frequently visited by settlers of different religions. Also, the choice of religion was influenced by communication with traders from South Asia and Arab countries. Many Visayas confused their religious knowledge, but there were also groups that were devout Hindus, Buddhists or Muslims.
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Visaya mythology is quite extensive, as is their understanding of the creation of the world. In their opinion, in very ancient times there were only water and sky, the god Maguayan ruled the water, and Kaptan the sky. Maguayan had a daughter, and Kaptan had a son, whom they married. They had three sons and one daughter. The eldest son was brave, the second was optimistic, the third was modest, and the daughter was tender … After the death of his parents, the eldest son, who has power over the winds, suggested that the brothers attack grandfather Kaptan. The angry sky god sent lightning bolts into his grandchildren, the younger ones turned into the sun and the moon, and the older one, the instigator of the riot, fell apart into pieces that turned into earth. The sister went in search of the brothers, whom the grandfather, still not recovering from the betrayal, struck with lightning, and later turned into stars. The grandchildren could not be returned, but the memory of them remained in the hearts of the gods.
Soon, on the body of the eldest grandson, turned into earth, the gods planted the seed of a tree, from which later a man and woman, the progenitors of the human race, emerged. One of the sons of the first people, Pandaguan, became a fisherman and once, having caught a shark, decided that she was a god. All people believed his words. The gods, having learned about this, went out to the people and ordered to throw the shark into the sea and worship only them. Deciding to teach people a lesson, they scattered them on different parts of the earth, and Pandaguan was struck by lightning, which made him black, like all his descendants. Those sent to the north retained their fair skin, and those sent to the south acquired a dark complexion.
Visayas first met Europeans in 1521, when Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan landed on the island of Cebu. The ruler of the island, Raja Humabon, became friends with the Portuguese and became one of the first inhabitants of the island converted to Chrysgianism, along with his wives and associates. Raja Humabon received the Christian name Carlos after the Spanish king. There is a version that it was Raja Humabon who asked the Portuguese to attack the island of Mactan, ruled by an enemy of Hu-Mabon named Lapu-Lapu. Magellan wanted to strengthen friendship with the ruler of Cebu, as well as force Lapu-Lapu and the inhabitants of Mactan to become Christians and pay tribute to the Spanish king. Since it was not possible to agree, Magellan and the armed Spaniards went to the possession of Lapu-Lapu and set fire to several houses, hoping that the inhabitants of Mactan would surrender. The effect turned out to be the opposite - the inhabitants of the island got angry and rushed to the Europeans. As a result, several of them were killed, including the great Portuguese traveler.
Several decades later, the Spaniards again went to the Visaya. King Philip II of Spain decided that rebellions were unacceptable and the islands could only belong to the Spanish crown, so he sent conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi to the territory of the modern Philippines, who arrived on the island of Cebu in 1565. From that moment on, active Christianization of the population began. However, the inhabitants of the island have preserved an icon depicting Jesus in infancy, which Magellan presented to the royal family. This showed that over the past decades, Christianity on the island has not disappeared.
Both during the Spanish rule, and after the Philippines became the property of America, and even now, being independent, the Visayas have preserved in their culture the remnants of an animistic (belief in the existence of souls and spirits) religion. Some of the visayas have home altars to offer food to the souls of departed relatives.
Life by signs
The life of the Visayas has practically not changed over the centuries. Large areas are used for rice fields. In addition to rice, visaya is also grown for corn, bananas and sugarcane.
Thanks to good climatic conditions, it is possible to take two or even three harvests a year. Buffaloes and bulls are bred from animals; many peasants keep chickens, pigs and other livestock. Cebu City is the second largest port in the country. Previously, the Visayas were actively involved in weaving various objects such as baskets and dishes made of bamboo, palm trees and coconut shells.
Visayas believe in folk signs, so before planting a crop, they check the situation on the coast: one belief says that seeds planted at low tide will definitely give a good harvest. Signs apply not only to agriculture. If at night one of the stars is very close to the moon, it's time to propose to the lady of the heart: success is guaranteed. And after the wedding ceremony, the newlyweds go to the bride's house, where they put plates of water near the stairs and put a few leaves of a local plant. An old relative from the side of the bride combs the hair of both the bride and the groom, at the same time showering the newlyweds with wishes. Brushing the hair, as well as passing the bowls, should guarantee a good and happy family life.
Before giving birth, pomelo leaves are placed under the house, which should scare away evil spirits. During childbirth, relatives burn dry leaves and roots, whose smoke and smell should make childbirth easier and relieve the woman from severe pain. After birth, the placenta is buried on the seashore. This action is supposed to ensure good health for the child. After the first haircut, the child's hair is placed in a sacred or ordinary book - the Visayas believe that after this ritual, the child will certainly show a love of reading.
Visayas love to have fun, which is why they are famous for their festivals in the Philippines. One of the most famous takes place in January and is called Sinulog. It recalls the conversion to Christianity and the abandonment of old beliefs. The ritual dance is intended for the baby Jesus, because, as mentioned earlier, the icon with his image was presented by Magellan to the raja Hu-mabon. Before the adoption of Christianity, dancing to the rhythmic rumbling of drums was dedicated to idols.
In March, another equally famous carnival is held in Iloilo - Pintados de Pasi, during which dance competitions are held. At the same time, the bodies of the carnival participants are covered with beautiful henna tattoos, which amaze European tourists with their intricacy.
Magazine: Mysteries of History No. 40, Maria Ryzhik