Kedatuan of Madja-as during the yime of hayam wuruk

Kedatuan of Madja-as

The Kedatuan of Madja-as or the Confederation of Madja-as was a pre-Philippine polity within the Visayan islands in what is now the Philippines, and was a Śrīvijayan vassal, next to the Sulu Archipelago.^[1] It was established by 10 leaders called Datus (Then reduced to 9, since Datu Puti, their leader, disappeared). Datus were high officials (Just rendered high-official during the invasion but before the Hindu invasion, Datus were considered co-equal Paramount Rulers of a Kedatuan). They were connected with the court of Brunei and Srivijaya, who were forced to leave that country on account of enmity with the Rajah, who was ruling the land at that time. The datus, together with their wives and children, as well as a few faithful servants and followers; monks, scholars, soldiers were secretly escorted out of the country by the Rajah's Chief Minister, whose name was Datu Puti.^[1] The local folklore says that the name of the Bornean Rajah was Makatunao.

They embarked on sailing rafts of the type used by the Visayans (the term used in the Malay settlements, of what is now Borneo and Philippines, to refer to Srivijayans) in Sumatra and Borneo.^[1] According to tradition, which survive in the local culture of Western Visayas, this seafaring vessel is called Balangay, from which Barangay - the smallest social unit in the present-day Philippines - came from.

The semi-democratic confederation or Kedatuan was integrated to the Spanish Empire through pacts and treaties (c.1569) byMiguel López de Legazpi and his grandson Juan de Salcedo. During the time of their hispanization, the principalities of the Confederation were already developed settlements with distinct social structure, culture, customs, and religion.^[2] Among the archaeological proofs of the existence of this Hiligaynon nation are the artifacts found in pre-Hispanic tombs from many parts of the island, which are now in display at Iloilo Museum. There are also recent discoveries of burial artifacts of eight-foot inhabitants of Isla de Gigantes, including extra-large Lungon (wooden coffins) and pre-Hispanic potteries.^[3] Another testimony of the antiquity of this civilization is the longest and oldest epic in the region, the Hinilawod.