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Datu

[dah-too]

Datu or datto is the title for ancient tribal chieftains and monarchs in pre-Hispanic Philippines. Together with sultan and raja, they are also titles of royalty and currently used in Malaysia, Brunei, Philippines and Indonesia. These titles are the equivalent of European dukes and marquesses. The word datu was derived from two Malay words: dato' or datok, which are royal titles of the Malays. The myth of the arrival of ten Bornean datus is celebrated in the Binirayan festival in the island of Panay, which in ancient times was known as the island of "Aninipay".

Datu in Filipino muslim society

The Moros, a term inherited from the Spaniards, are the main Muslim ethnic group in the Philippines. In the traditional structure of Filipino Muslim societies, sultans were the highest authority followed by the datus, with their rule being sanctioned by the Qur'an. Datus were measured by the number of their followers. In return for tribute and labor, the datu provided aid in emergencies and advocacy in disputes with other communities, through the agamat. A datu is basic to the smooth functioning of the Filipino Muslim society. He was a powerful authority figure who may have as many as four wives but in modern times usually has only one. In the old days, they led raids on other villages. They may demand revenge (maratabat) for the death of a follower or upon injury to his honor. Datus continued to act as the community leaders in Muslim societies in Mindanao and administered the Sharia (Islamic law) through the agama. The support of the datu was essential for government programs in Muslim communities.

Datu during the Spanish colonial period

Upon the Christianization of the Philippines, the datus of the pre-conquest kingdoms retained their right to rule under the Spanish Crown. King Philip II of Spain, in a law signed June 11, 1594, commanded that these local nobles be given the same respect and privileges that they had before their conversion. They later formed part of the exclusive and elite ruling body, called the Principalía, in municipalities of Spanish Philippines.

Datu in Filipino martial arts

The title of "Datu" has been used by some in the Filipino martial arts community. Most notably, it was bestowed upon 6 practitioners of Modern Arnis by Remy Presas, the founder of the system, as a "leadership" signifier. It has been the source of some controversy.

Recorded List of Datus in the Philippines

Datus of Pre-Hispanic MindanaoHalton

Matthew Datu - Fritzl WarriorCebu
Datu Daya - Ancient ruler of Daanbantayan, Cebu Panay
Datu Dinagandan - First ruler of Aklan, circa 1200
Kalantiao - Mythical ruler of Aklan in the late late 14th century
Datu Paiburong - Ruler of Iloilo
Datu Padojinog - Ruled in the Visayas Region with his wife Ribongsapaw. More than seven hundred forty six years ago, around 1240, ten brave and noble rulers were believed to have landed in our shores. They came from the kingdom of Bornay (now Borneo), escaping the wrath of a wicked ruler Rajah Makatunao. They boarded on big ships, called balanghays, and set out to sea to find a place where they can live in peace and harmony. One moonless night on April 15, 1240, together with their families, warriors, slaves and counselors, they faced the unknown in quest of the Promised Land. Datu Padojinog was one of the said Datus.
Datus in the Maragtas epic

Irong-irong
Kalantiaw III /Rajah Bendahara Kalantiaw - Said to have formulated the mythical Code of Kalantiaw in 1433 (legendary, see related article).
Datu Puti - One of the 10 Bornean Datus to arrive in Iloilo before the Spanish colonial period. (legendary but may be based on facts, see related article)

Datus during Spanish colonization

Rajah Colambu - Chief in 1521 of Limasawa, brother of Rajah Siagu of Butuan. He met Ferdinand Magellan and guided him to Cebu on April 7, 1521.
Rajah Humabon - Ruler of Cebu who became an ally of Ferdinand Magellan. Enemy and relative of Lapu-Lapu. In 1521, he and his wife were baptized and renamed themselves Carlos and Juana after the Spanish royalty, King Carlos and Queen Juana.
Sultan Kudarat - Sultan of Maguindanao.
Rajah Lakandula - Ruler of Tondo, one of the last rulers of Manila.
Lapu-Lapu - Ruler of Mactan Island. He defeated Ferdinand Magellan in April 27, 1521. He is the Philippines' first national hero.
Datu Sikatuna {also Ka Tun-as} - Ruler of Bohol in 1565. He made a blood compact with the conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi. His statue was erected in Bohol where the blood compact took place.
Datu Pagbuaya - Overlord of Ka Tun-as and Gala of Bohol. He was join ruler with brother Datu Dalisdisan of a settlement along the shorelines between Mansasa, Tagbilaran and Dauis which was abandoned years before López de Legazpi's arrival due to Portuguese and Ternatean attacks. He founded Dapitan in the northern shore of Mindanao.
Datu Dalisdisan - He was join ruler with brother Datu Pagbuaya of a settlement along the shorelines between Mansasa, Tagbilaran and Dauis. His death during one of the Portuguese and Ternatean raids caused the abandonment of the settlement.
Mano-ok - Christian name Pedro Manuel Manooc; son of Datu Pagbuaya; subdued the Higaonon tribe in Iligan; established one of the first Christian settlement in the country.
Rajah Sulayman - One of the last rulers of Maynilad, was defeated by Martín de Goiti, a soldier commissioned by López de Legazpi to Manila.
Rajah Tupas - Last Datu of Cebu, conquered by Miguel López de Legazpi.

Other Datus

Datus of Sulu
Datu Macabulos - Ruled with elders the town of Lubao, Pampanga around 1571.
Datu Pax S. Mangudadato - Modern datu and Governor of Sultan Kudarat (2001-2004)
Rajah Siagu - Chief of the Manobo tribe in 1521.
Urduja - Pre-Hispanic female ruler in Pangasinan. (Legendary see related article)
Sultan Hajji Datu Amir bin Muhammad Baraguir, 25th Sultan of Maguindanao