Prog 2: THE BUTUAN MOTHERSHIP
Man’s earliest ambitions to set sail marked the beginning of an age of discovery where wild minds and bold hearts dared to challenge the endless seas and embark into a mysterious world of which nothing was known. The first great sea voyages established mankind’s unique ability to adapt and conquer in the face of great odds – and would all but ensure the worldwide expansion of many different cultures and traditions.The urge to travel the seas was widely noted in many of the great empires of the Western world, but less is known about the history of a forgotten civilization of seafarers known as the Kingdom of Butuan, a small progenitor civilization found on the northern coast of Mindanao.
The unearthing of a massive balanghai “mothership” near Butuan City back in 2013 changed the preconceived notions we had regardingthe involvement of our Butuanon ancestors in pre-colonial exploration and trade. According to archaeologist Dr. Mary Jane Bolunia, lead site researcher working with the Philippine National Museum, the huge craft is estimated to be at least 25 meters in length, possibly more. In fact, it is so large that balanghai of this size can no longer be constructed because there are no trees large enough in existence to craft the necessary planks to build such a massive seaworthy structure. The Butuan Mothership was never fully excavated due to the delicate condition of its ancient woodwork, but it is estimated to have been built sometime in the 1200’s – a whopping 300 years before the first Spanish expeditions started to trickle into the archipelago. If true, it would give reason to believe that our ancestors may have had a forgotten impact on the development of Asian civilization and culture, considering that they were able to sail to distant empires and engage in overseas trade and diplomacy during a time when nobody else in the region was doing it.
This extraordinary finding has proven to be a valuable, tangible piece of history that forms part of a growing pile of evidence that suggests our people were far more organized and developed than previously thought. It is now being suggested that trade expeditions from Butuan to the Kingdom of Champa (Vietnam) and Guangdong (China) were fixed in large balanghai fleets led by a single mothership that likely held goods, slaves, or warriors being transported across the seas. In fact, historical records originating from the Song Dynasty in China confirmed the arrival of a delegation from “The Kingdom of Butuan” all the way back in the year 1001 – indicating that our people began seafaring even before the Chinese did (and may have served as motivation for them to do the same). If these records are accurate, then it can be taken as undeniable proof of an organized civilization with an established government that was capable of feats of exploration that were unrivaled in their day.
It is unfortunate that not much else is known about the ancient Kingdom of Butuan, as Spanish occupation singed the memories of our ancient past from our lands (and our consciousness) – but at the very least, the discovery of the remains of this great vessel provides some insight into what was and what could have been.
Where is this big balangay now?
How does this compare to the balangay that is now at the butuan museum?
General Pershing gave a proa to the museum. This proa sailed from the Mariana’s islands to Mindanao. Is this proa still in the butuan museum?
The big balanghai boat still lies where it was first found, near Butuan City. It is submerged in water and archaeologists are afraid to lift her out of her resting place because if the wood dries up, it will disintegrate. I believe the balanghai that is on display at the Butuan Museum is normal sized, and that the large version is more than twice or three times the size. I will read up more about this topic and hopefully visit Butuan to see the boats in person. Thanks for reading!
Is this the one in Libertad?
I am interested in the proa that was donated by General Pershing. Is it still in the Butuan museum? That proa is of great interest to me because it was coming direct from the Marianas islands. That is tangible proof that we had links to the Polynesian people’s during prehistoric times. And the banca that we have at the moment is a revision of the proa.
I can’t say whether this is the same as what is in Libertad. This is actually the first time I have heard about the “proa”, thank you for that. I will start looking for information along those lines. But regarding a connection to the Polynesian people, I think there are links to them that can be seen with our language. I believe the word for chicken in either Guam or Samoa is “mannok”, and that there are a few other words that are similar. It’s not a far fetched notion at all in my opinion. Will definitely start looking more into this – thanks Francis!
During prehispanic times, people from Palau have regular sailings to suluan island. This island is near guiwan in Eastern samar. Descendants of these Palau natives or
Chamorros are called dagsa. They can still be found in suluan island but they have forgotten how to sail and make their proas.
Thanks for the lead Francis! I have actually been to Palau Island, but only stayed on the tarmac for a few hours due to plane issues. I won’t forget the red spots all over the ground, because of betel nut chewing. I’ve also met some Chamorros in Guam – very friendly people. Sad that they lost their sea legs over time. Very sad – but great information nonetheless.
I am intetested to know more, having visited the site of the balanghai outside Butuan in 1986 – and also the Butuan Museum. Fasinating to study and learn more of ancient Philippine kingdoms. Can you recommend books or share any published papers on the topic??
Hey thanks for reading! I am also fascinated with the topic as well. Amazing that you have actually been to Butuan and seen the boats first hand – hopefully get to do that someday.
There really isn’t much known about this, and mainly the information we have comes from historical records taken by the Song Dynasty of China. If I find more reliable sources I’ll be sure to post here.
Come back from time to time – there will be more!
Fascinating read! That record from the Song Dynasty suggests a half century at least of sea faring before the Spaniards came. Unfortunate indeed that much of the information we can get to pursue these are ruined, much like how we rue about volumes lost of the Dead Sea Scrolls. How grand it would be if we have more advanced technology to excavate and reconstruct as much as possible the vessel in its condition. I hope to read more of this in the future.
Thanks for reading Rene! Yes you can be sure that there will be more topics about our links to the past.
I was quite pleased, too, to know that our people were building sea worthy vessels and setting sail so early in our history. I agree that better technology might help us unearth more facts about this find, and other finds just sitting out there waiting to be discovered. Hopefully, not all has been lost.