The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume 37, 1669-1676: Explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the Catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commercial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the close of the nineteenth century
History
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume 37, 1669-1676: Explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the Catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commercial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the close of the nineteenth century
Demarcation line of Alexander VI; Missions -- Philippines; Philippines -- Discovery and exploration; Philippines -- History -- Sources
Often the Indians celebrate the feasts well. Rarely is one of
them found who does not dance beautifully. Consequently, they
have dancing and music in the processions; they play the harp and
guitar excellently. His Majesty furnishes eight singers in every
church. They have certain privileges, as they are busied in the divine
office. They sing excellently, and, as there are always candidates,
the number is always in excess. But only the eight who are assigned
enjoy the privileges conceded. The adornment of the churches is quite
sufficient, and is neat and tasteful. Since there are plenty of roses,
other flowers, and fragrant herbs throughout the year, these things
go far to furnish suitable adornment for the churches.
6. The Indians are much given to the use of the bow and arrow,
especially the Indians called Cambales and those who live in the
mountains. Their offensive and defensive weapons consist of such
arms. I heard the old priests tell of many acts of skill in the use
of them, which I was unable to believe until I had the opportunity
to see it thoroughly for myself. People should not be so ready to
believe whatever they hear, nor yet so obstinate as I have been at
times. One day I came across a band of Indians from the mountain,
among whom were four of seven or eight years of age or thereabout. I
took an orange (a fruit of which there is an infinite supply there)
and threw it up into the air as high as possible. Then said I, "There,
my lads, shoot me that orange." Instantly all four shot it in the air,
and it fell in bits. Another new religious and myself stood stupefied,
while the old one who had told us about it laughed at us. I saw that
with my own eyes in the small village called Abucanamataas. This is
a sufficient proof that they are good archers.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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