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Generational Voices
Generational Voices
My grandparents were born and met in the coastal province of Pangasinan in the Philippines. When they immigrated to the United States, they diminished aspects of their culture to connect with the American way of life. They spoke Tagalog at home, but the language wasn't passed down to my mom and her brothers. Quietly, aspects of their culture faded away. Though, aspect has always persisted: oral tradition.
Oral tradition in the Philippines is the main way traditions are passed down between generations, and it has an intriguing history. My grandparents have often recounted stories of their life in the Philippines to my siblings and me to teach us lessons and share traditions. However, they've never revealed an aspect of Filipino oral tradition that I've always been interested in: Filipino legends. The region of Pangasinan has many legends that shape its culture, and among them is the legend of Princess Urduja.
Conquest and Conversion
Conquest and Conversion
Photo Credits: Angelica Gallardo via Canva
From 1565 to 1898, the Philippines was under the colonial rule of Spain.
The colonization process was facilitated by the divided nature of the indigenous population. The lack of political unity among indigenous groups made it easier to accelerate the process of Spanish forces exerting control over the islands.
In the late 16th century, Spanish friars accompanied soldiers to convert local populations to Roman Catholicism. Catholicism spread swiftly during this period, partly due to the lack of centralized religious institutions to oppose it. As Catholicism spread, religious orders acquired excessive wealth and political power, symbolizing the dominant power of the Spanish government and the Catholic Church.
The consolidation of power by the Spanish government and the Catholic Church, and the rising influence of religious orders in the Philippines, had implications for indigenous groups. Indigenous traditions and beliefs were viewed as ill-suited to the new religious and political order imposed by Spanish settlers.
Resisting Erasure Through Oral Tradition
Resisting Erasure Through Oral Tradition
With the arrival of Spaniard settlers and the colonization of the Philippines, many of the written records related to pre-colonial beliefs and practices were destroyed. Religious zeal was the main motive behind the destruction of these records since indigenous practices and beliefs were considered incompatible with Catholic teachings. Consequently, oral tradition became a crucial means of preserving cultural heritage and knowledge in secret.
Oral traditions encompass a wide array of spoken forms, such as proverbs, myths, songs, and tales, that serve to transmit knowledge and cultural values and are critical for cultural preservation.
In this case, indigenous communities used oral tradition as a form of resistance to colonization. Folktales, songs, legends, and myths became acts of cultural defiance to ensure that pre-colonial beliefs and customs were passed down despite colonial efforts to erase them.
The Legend of Princess Urduja
The Legend of Princess Urduja
The legend of Princess Urduja is one among many indigenous tales that were told to preserve indigenous culture.
In the kingdom of Tawalisi, now known as Pangasinan, there was a leader by the name of Princess Urduja. She embodied strength and leadership as a warrior queen within a matriarchal lineage. Throughout her childhood, she trained rigorously in martial arts and honed her navigation skills. She was renowned for leading a group of female warriors who were proficient in combat, horsemanship, and weaponry, known as Kinalakian—Amazons.
Photo Credits: Owlcation
Photo Credits: Survival Arts
Countless suitors sought her hand. In response, she issued a challenge that dictated that the man who could surpass her bravery, strength, and wisdom would win her over. Not one man met her criteria, so she remained unwed her entire life.
Upon the death of the previous queen, her mother, Princess Urduja ascended to rule over Tawalisi. She governed with wisdom and fairness. She was known for her intelligence, beauty, kindness, and virtue. Her policies were the assimilation of foreign advancements which she integrated into her rule. She expressed great interest in international affairs, especially those concerning India.
Photo Credits: Britannica
The tale of Princess Urduja finds its roots in her encounter with Ibn Battuta, a well-known traveler. Muhammad Ibn Battuta was a Moroccan scholar renowned for his travels during the medieval period. In the span of thirty years, he traveled extensively throughout Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Towards the end of his life, he documented his adventures in a book titled A Gift to Those Who Contemplate the Wonders of Cities and the Marvels of Travelling, or The Travels.
In 1347, Ibn Battuta passed through Tawalisi aboard a ship. Princess Urduja invited the ship’s crew to a banquet out of respect. However, Battuta declined due to perceiving her people as infidels. Offended by the idea, the princess confronted him and displayed her lavish attire. She engaged in conversation in Arabic to prove her knowledge of the Qur’an.
prove her knowledge of the Qur’an.
Moreover, she emphasized her kingdom’s hospitality and cultural richness to dismiss his misconceptions. Then, she recounted her leadership achievements and her stance on marriage. Curious of India’s richness, she sought out information from Ibn Battuta, who encouraged her. In gratitude, Princess Urduja provided provisions for his journey.
The Symbolism of Princess Urduja
The Symbolism of Princess Urduja
During the Spanish rule, a patriarchal system was imposed, restructuring indigenous society and subjecting Filipino women to be passive and inferior to men. Before this, women were viewed as equal to men. They possessed property rights and held positions of leadership. Additionally, they took on roles of respected high priestesses and healers.
The legend of Princess Urduja holds a notable role in Filipino folklore, particularly in challenging the patriarchal ideologies that were products of Spanish colonization. The legend is a symbol of female empowerment and resistance against colonial oppression.
In Demetrio's Towards the Understanding of Philippine Myths, it is said that "the truth found in myths can sometimes be a version of the world that people dreamt of, what they wished to experience, and a version people believe is real." The legend of Princess Urduja encapsulates the Filipino people's hope for a society free from colonial oppression in which traditions are honored and women are in equal positions of power.
Photo Credits: Filipina Women's Network
This legend is especially relevant to the province of Pangasinan. Princess Urduja is believed to have hailed from this region, making her an integral part of the province’s cultural heritage. Her story elevates Pangasinan’s role in Filipino folklore and reinforces regional pride among its inhabitants. For the people of Pangasinan, her story serves as an inspiration and symbolizes the province’s spirit of independence. Pangasinan traditions, values, and history are kept alive and thriving by passing down her story through generations.
Ancestral Bonds and Cultural Heritage
Ancestral Bonds and Cultural Heritage
Through exploring the legend of Princess Urduja and delving into the historical context of Spanish colonization in the Philippines, I've gained a newfound perspective on my family’s cultural heritage. My grandparents’ preservation of oral tradition, despite the challenges of living in a different country than their own, now has a greater significance as a way to safeguard our cultural identity and connect with our roots.
Learning that her story became a symbol of resistance to patriarchal values that were enforced by Spanish colonial rule brings to light the resilience and strength inherent in Filipino culture. The symbolism behind Princess Urduja’s story reminds me of the importance of celebrating and preserving my heritage.
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