Bagani
| Part of a series on the |
| Pre-colonial history of the Philippines |
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| See also: History of the Philippines |
Bagani or magani refers to the class of warrior-leaders of various
Bagani were
To become a bagani, one must have killed a set number of enemies in battle. The number varies by locality and ethnic group and ranges from five to as many as thirty. Though the status of the bagani was not hereditary and any commoner can become a bagani, bagani often traced their lineage through other notable bagani. In situations where a ruling bagani dies suddenly, the most suitable son of a bagani can be commonly chosen as a candidate for the next bagani by the advisory council. But they would still have to fulfill the requirements before becoming one. In cases of challengers or candidates who failed to meet the requirements but still refused to withdraw their eligibility, the selection would have to be made by battle between the candidates and their supporters.[1][2]
The bagani were distinguished from other warriors by their clothing (including the headgear), which varies by ethnic group. They regularly engaged in headhunting and captive-taking raids on enemy villages as well as defend their own settlements from enemy raids of the same nature. They commanded a group of warriors (averaging at around forty to forty-five men). To become a warrior, a commoner must also have killed at least three people in battle.[1][2]
The bagani system survived during the
See also
References
- ^ ISBN 9781920942878.
- ^ a b c d e Cole, Fay-Cooper (1912). "The Wild Tribes of Davao District, Mindanao". Field Museum of Natural History, Anthropological Series. 12 (1 (Publication 170)): 48.