Locked Page

The Quadrant D4 of the Murillo Velarde 1734 map, depicting the rural life of Filipinos in the 1700s.

Here are some key insights based on the scene:

1. Filipino Agricultural Life

• The image illustrates traditional farming practices in the 18th century.

• A Filipino farmer wearing a salakot (traditional hat) is seen plowing a rice field using a carabao (water buffalo).

• Another individual in the background is using a wooden plow attached to a carabao, showcasing early agrarian tools and techniques.

• The depiction emphasizes the importance of rice farming in the Philippine economy and daily life.

2. Traditional Bahay Kubo (Nipa Hut)

• A bahay kubo (native stilt house) is shown in the background, built with nipa palm and bamboo.

• This reflects the Filipino lifestyle and adaptation to the tropical environment.

• A woman or another individual is seen near the house, possibly engaged in household activities.

3. Wildlife and Natural Dangers

• The lower left features a large crocodile (caiman or buwaya), highlighting the presence of these reptiles in Philippine rivers.

• A giant snake (possibly a python) is coiled around a tree, illustrating the local fauna.

• These depictions indicate the dangers that early Filipinos faced in their natural surroundings.

4. Text Descriptions

The text at the bottom provides explanations:

• Cayman (Crocodile) – "Cocodrilo de que gran llenos los rios de estas Yslas" ("Crocodiles that fill the rivers of these islands").

• Giant Snake – "Sana Culebra muy grande" ("A very large snake").

• Indigenous People Farming – "Indio aranado con un Carabao, o Bufalo" ("Native plowing with a Carabao or Buffalo").

• Luzon Rice Farming – "Luzon, en que se planta el arroz" ("Luzon, where rice is planted").

5. Significance of the Quadrant

• This quadrant offers a rare visual record of Filipino rural life in the 1700s.

• It highlights self-sustaining agricultural practices and local biodiversity.

• The illustration reflects how Spanish chroniclers viewed Filipino society, emphasizing farming as a fundamental economic activity.