National Museum of
Anthropology

01 / ANTHROPOLOGY

Kris, Borong, Kampilan, Pira, and Gunong

These weapons from the South (Sulu, Lanao, and Cotabato) are made out of steel and iron, with nickel/brass alloys for durability, and wooden/bore carvings for the handles. The purpose of these artifacts in their regions is for self- and tribal defense, hunting, combat, and as symbols of authority and power. These celebrate and embody indigenous craftsmanship and are symbols of colonial resistance and sovereignty. They represent the independent history of the pre-colonial Philippines in Mindanao and Moro communities. Studying and displaying these in the National Museum of Anthropology serves as a reminder for us, modern Filipinos, that our ancestral roots are rooted in resilience, determination, warfare, and independence.

02 / ANTHROPOLOGY

Lungon

The indigenous artifact "lungon" is a Visayan hollowed-out hardwood tree used by Visayan communities in regions such as Bohol, Romblon, Masbate, Panay, and Samar in the pre-colonial period. It represents a boat because they viewed the afterlife as a journey across the sea, and the boat-like structure of the coffin symbolized the soul crossing the ocean into the afterlife. The patterns carved on the coffin served a ritualistic purpose, because reptiles were revered as spirit guides who guided the deceased's soul to the afterlife, which is why the patterns resembled that of reptiles. This should be preserved because it is a clear representation and remembrance of our ancestors before we were colonized, serving as a staple of the independent national identity of Filipinos, and how unique we are when it comes to our beliefs and practices.

03 / ANTHROPOLOGY

The Manunggul Jar

The Manunggul Jar is a national artifact in the National Museum of Anthropology in Manila. It is a secondary burial jar, made of clay, and was crafted by pre-colonial Filipinos in Palawan to contain clean bones of their ancestors as part of their sacred ritual beliefs about afterlife. Preserving this artifact helps maintain our national identity today by showcasing how communal & spiritual our ancestors were before colonization. The design on the jar's lid was two people in a boat in the sea, one was dead, & the other was rowing the boat, which reminds us modern Filipinos of our deep ancestral roots & maritime heritage. Recognizing this artwork helps us realize where we really came from and proves that our cultural identity is still resilient despite centuries of colonization. Overall, the Manunggul jar shows us who we are as a community that serves also as a powerful symbol of pride, which continues to inspire contemporary Filipino culture.

04 / ANTHROPOLOGY

Abugida

Preserving this historic script helps modern Filipinos reconnect with their cultural heritage before colonization, as it serves as tangible proof that indigenous Philippine societies possessed advanced literacy and intellectual traditions.

01 / ANTHROPOLOGY

Kris, Borong, Kampilan, Pira, and Gunong

These weapons from the South (Sulu, Lanao, and Cotabato) are made out of steel and iron, with nickel/brass alloys for durability, and wooden/bore carvings for the handles. The purpose of these artifacts in their regions is for self- and tribal defense, hunting, combat, and as symbols of authority and power. These celebrate and embody indigenous craftsmanship and are symbols of colonial resistance and sovereignty. They represent the independent history of the pre-colonial Philippines in Mindanao and Moro communities. Studying and displaying these in the National Museum of Anthropology serves as a reminder for us, modern Filipinos, that our ancestral roots are rooted in resilience, determination, warfare, and independence.

02 / ANTHROPOLOGY

Lungon

The indigenous artifact "lungon" is a Visayan hollowed-out hardwood tree used by Visayan communities in regions such as Bohol, Romblon, Masbate, Panay, and Samar in the pre-colonial period. It represents a boat because they viewed the afterlife as a journey across the sea, and the boat-like structure of the coffin symbolized the soul crossing the ocean into the afterlife. The patterns carved on the coffin served a ritualistic purpose, because reptiles were revered as spirit guides who guided the deceased's soul to the afterlife, which is why the patterns resembled that of reptiles. This should be preserved because it is a clear representation and remembrance of our ancestors before we were colonized, serving as a staple of the independent national identity of Filipinos, and how unique we are when it comes to our beliefs and practices.

03 / ANTHROPOLOGY

The Manunggul Jar

The Manunggul Jar is a national artifact in the National Museum of Anthropology in Manila. It is a secondary burial jar, made of clay, and was crafted by pre-colonial Filipinos in Palawan to contain clean bones of their ancestors as part of their sacred ritual beliefs about afterlife. Preserving this artifact helps maintain our national identity today by showcasing how communal & spiritual our ancestors were before colonization. The design on the jar's lid was two people in a boat in the sea, one was dead, & the other was rowing the boat, which reminds us modern Filipinos of our deep ancestral roots & maritime heritage. Recognizing this artwork helps us realize where we really came from and proves that our cultural identity is still resilient despite centuries of colonization. Overall, the Manunggul jar shows us who we are as a community that serves also as a powerful symbol of pride, which continues to inspire contemporary Filipino culture.

04 / ANTHROPOLOGY

Abugida

Preserving this historic script helps modern Filipinos reconnect with their cultural heritage before colonization, as it serves as tangible proof that indigenous Philippine societies possessed advanced literacy and intellectual traditions.

01 / ANTHROPOLOGY

Kris, Borong, Kampilan, Pira, and Gunong

These weapons from the South (Sulu, Lanao, and Cotabato) are made out of steel and iron, with nickel/brass alloys for durability, and wooden/bore carvings for the handles. The purpose of these artifacts in their regions is for self- and tribal defense, hunting, combat, and as symbols of authority and power. These celebrate and embody indigenous craftsmanship and are symbols of colonial resistance and sovereignty. They represent the independent history of the pre-colonial Philippines in Mindanao and Moro communities. Studying and displaying these in the National Museum of Anthropology serves as a reminder for us, modern Filipinos, that our ancestral roots are rooted in resilience, determination, warfare, and independence.

02 / ANTHROPOLOGY

Lungon

The indigenous artifact "lungon" is a Visayan hollowed-out hardwood tree used by Visayan communities in regions such as Bohol, Romblon, Masbate, Panay, and Samar in the pre-colonial period. It represents a boat because they viewed the afterlife as a journey across the sea, and the boat-like structure of the coffin symbolized the soul crossing the ocean into the afterlife. The patterns carved on the coffin served a ritualistic purpose, because reptiles were revered as spirit guides who guided the deceased's soul to the afterlife, which is why the patterns resembled that of reptiles. This should be preserved because it is a clear representation and remembrance of our ancestors before we were colonized, serving as a staple of the independent national identity of Filipinos, and how unique we are when it comes to our beliefs and practices.

03 / ANTHROPOLOGY

The Manunggul Jar

The Manunggul Jar is a national artifact in the National Museum of Anthropology in Manila. It is a secondary burial jar, made of clay, and was crafted by pre-colonial Filipinos in Palawan to contain clean bones of their ancestors as part of their sacred ritual beliefs about afterlife.

Preserving this artifact helps maintain our national identity today by showcasing how communal & spiritual our ancestors were before colonization. The design on the jar's lid was two people in a boat in the sea, one was dead, & the other was rowing the boat, which reminds us modern Filipinos of our deep ancestral roots & maritime heritage.

Recognizing this artwork helps us realize where we really came from and proves that our cultural identity is still resilient despite centuries of colonization. Overall, the Manunggul jar shows us who we are as a community that serves also as a powerful symbol of pride, which continues to inspire contemporary Filipino culture.

04 / ANTHROPOLOGY

Abugida

Preserving this historic script helps modern Filipinos reconnect with their cultural heritage before colonization, as it serves as tangible proof that indigenous Philippine societies possessed advanced literacy and intellectual traditions.