Asian Influences on the Filipino Culture
Influences from the Indian subcontinent may be traced earlier to before the arrival of the Arabs and the Europeans during the 15th and 16th centuries respectively. The rulers of many of the islands were called Rajas, or Rajahs.
An example would be the Visayas, said to be named after the last Southeast Hindu Prince Srivijaya. Spanish era Further adherence to Hinduism was superseded by the advent of Islam brought to the archipelago By Indonesian, Malay, and Arab missionaries in the 14th century, as well as the arrival of Christianity with the Spaniards in 1521. It is highly possible however that the Philippines was part of Hindu empires based in Java and in other islands prior to the introduction of these new religions.
Local Rajahs gave tribute to such Hindu-Buddhist empires that included Sri Vijaya and Majapahit. American period Ancient statues of the Hindu gods were hidden to prevent their destruction by Christians who worshiped a single deity. One such statue, known as ‘Golden Tara’, is a 4-pound gold statue of an Indo-Malayan goddess found in Mindanao in 1917, which now sits in the Field Museum of Natural Historyin Chicago, and is dated from the period 13th to early 14th centuries. Another gold artifact, this time found on Palawan, is an image of Garuda, the bird who is the mount of Vishnu.
Hinduism today There is some growth in the religion as of late, although most temples cater to the same communities. Actual adherents of Hinduism are mostly limited to communities that include indigenous and native peoples, expatriate communities, as well as new converts. There are various Hare Krishna groups and popular Hindu personalities and groups such as Sai Baba, and Paramahansa Yogananda (SRF) that can be found. Hindu based practises like are also popular:
- Arab
- Islam
- Sultan government
- Arabic language
- Arabic writing system
- Words like apo, sulat, alamat at salamat, came from the Arabic words ima, kitab and kali.
- the use of calendar
- “singkil” dance Chinese
The following Chinese influences on Filipino culture are still evident today:
- The use of porcelain wares, gongs, and other metals
- The manufacture of gunpowder and setting off of fireworks during special occasions
- The use of loose trousers and wearing of camisa de chino, slippers, wooden shoes
- Gambling games such as jueteng and mahjong
- Cooking such dishes as lumpia, mami, pancit and lechon Customs such as respect for elders and the veneration of ancestors
- Traditions such as prearranged marriages and participation of a mediator in marital talks
- Traits such as close family ties, frugality and hard work
- The use of words with Chinese etymology.
Japanese The Japanese and Filipino trade relations that began as early as 654 A. made its mark on the lifestyle of the Filipinos. The Japanese introduced industries such as the manufacture of weapons and tools, tanning of animal skin, and the artificial breeding of ducks and fish. To start with, there are Japanese Filipinos. And about 300,000 Filipinos live in Japan (2004 numbers), that means a significant cultural and financial influx. Including children of Filipino women living in Japan returning to learn English.
Sources
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism_in_the_Philippineshttp://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_influences_of_Arabs_in_the_Philippines#ixzz27xBP6ZEU
- http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_Chinese_influences_in_the_Philippines#ixzz27x94L8pb
- http://wiki.answers. com/Q/What_are_some_Japanese_influences_on_the_Filipino_culture#ixzz27xGJ9mIi
- http://answers. yahoo. com/question/index? qid=20080805045217AAqIJGA
