CUSTOMS OF THE TAGALOGS

BYFATHER PLASENCIA

Datos- the chief who governed the people and were captains in their wars whom they obey and reverence.

Tagalog or Barangay The name originated when the people came to this land by means of boat called barangay. The head is called Dato.

The three castes namely:1.Nobles-the free-born whom they call Maharlica. They do not pay tax or tribute to the Dato.

2. The Commoners- who are called Aliping Mamamahay.They live in their own houses and are lords of their own property and gold.

3.The Slaves-who are called Aliping Saguiguilid. They serve their master in his house and on his cultivated lands and may be sold.

> In these three cases, those who are maharlicas on both the father’s and mother’s side continue to be so forever, and if it happens that they should become slaves, it is

through marriage. > If two persons married of whom one was a Maharlica and the other a slave, the children were divided.

> Maharlicas could not after marriage move from one village to another without paying a certain fine in gold as arranged among them.

> Investigations made and sentences passed by the datos must take place in the presence of those of his barangay.

> They had laws by which they condemned to death a man of low birth who insulted the daughter or wife of a chief and witches.

> For loans, the debtor is condemned to a life of toil. Borrowers become slaves and after the death of the father, the children pay the debt.

> For inheritance, the legitimate children of a father and mother inherit equally.

> Dowries are given by men to the women’s parents before marriage. If the parents are both alive, they both enjoy the use of it.

> In case of divorce, if the wife left the husband for the purpose of marrying another, all her dowry will go to the husband but if he did not marry another, the dowry was returned.