Gu Kur History - Empires and Civilizations
@gukur.bsky.social
Exploring the rise and fall of history's greatest powers, plus the untold stories that shaped our world.
Thanks so much for following along with this series!
I really appreciate your interest and support. Feel free to ask any questions or share suggestions about which Empire or Civilization you'd like to explore next.
Looking forward to diving deeper together! 🧵🙏
I really appreciate your interest and support. Feel free to ask any questions or share suggestions about which Empire or Civilization you'd like to explore next.
Looking forward to diving deeper together! 🧵🙏
June 8, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Thanks so much for following along with this series!
I really appreciate your interest and support. Feel free to ask any questions or share suggestions about which Empire or Civilization you'd like to explore next.
Looking forward to diving deeper together! 🧵🙏
I really appreciate your interest and support. Feel free to ask any questions or share suggestions about which Empire or Civilization you'd like to explore next.
Looking forward to diving deeper together! 🧵🙏
Tondo's history is a story of power, trade, diplomacy and survival; not some distant legend or sanitised fairy tale. It laid foundations for what would become modern Philippine society.
The next time you hear these myths, remember: the past was complex, and so is the future we're building.
The next time you hear these myths, remember: the past was complex, and so is the future we're building.
June 8, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Tondo's history is a story of power, trade, diplomacy and survival; not some distant legend or sanitised fairy tale. It laid foundations for what would become modern Philippine society.
The next time you hear these myths, remember: the past was complex, and so is the future we're building.
The next time you hear these myths, remember: the past was complex, and so is the future we're building.
Myth #6:
"The past is irrelevant to modern Filipinos."
Fact:
History deeply shapes identity, values, and a sense of belonging. Reclaiming the story of Tondo and other precolonial societies empowers Filipinos to reconnect with a rich cultural heritage that colonial narratives tried to erase.
"The past is irrelevant to modern Filipinos."
Fact:
History deeply shapes identity, values, and a sense of belonging. Reclaiming the story of Tondo and other precolonial societies empowers Filipinos to reconnect with a rich cultural heritage that colonial narratives tried to erase.
June 8, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Myth #6:
"The past is irrelevant to modern Filipinos."
Fact:
History deeply shapes identity, values, and a sense of belonging. Reclaiming the story of Tondo and other precolonial societies empowers Filipinos to reconnect with a rich cultural heritage that colonial narratives tried to erase.
"The past is irrelevant to modern Filipinos."
Fact:
History deeply shapes identity, values, and a sense of belonging. Reclaiming the story of Tondo and other precolonial societies empowers Filipinos to reconnect with a rich cultural heritage that colonial narratives tried to erase.
Myth #5:
"Tondo was always peaceful and politically unified."
Fact:
Tondo's history was shaped by shifting alliances and rivalries, especially with Manila and nearby polities. Power struggles, competition for trade and regional tensions created a dynamic, often contested political landscape.
"Tondo was always peaceful and politically unified."
Fact:
Tondo's history was shaped by shifting alliances and rivalries, especially with Manila and nearby polities. Power struggles, competition for trade and regional tensions created a dynamic, often contested political landscape.
June 8, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Myth #5:
"Tondo was always peaceful and politically unified."
Fact:
Tondo's history was shaped by shifting alliances and rivalries, especially with Manila and nearby polities. Power struggles, competition for trade and regional tensions created a dynamic, often contested political landscape.
"Tondo was always peaceful and politically unified."
Fact:
Tondo's history was shaped by shifting alliances and rivalries, especially with Manila and nearby polities. Power struggles, competition for trade and regional tensions created a dynamic, often contested political landscape.
Myth #4:
"Spanish colonisers 'civilised' the Philippine islands."
Fact:
Long before Spain arrived, the archipelago was home to thriving, organised societies. The Spanish didn’t bring civilization, they conquered it; often by manipulating local rivalries and alliances to gain control.
"Spanish colonisers 'civilised' the Philippine islands."
Fact:
Long before Spain arrived, the archipelago was home to thriving, organised societies. The Spanish didn’t bring civilization, they conquered it; often by manipulating local rivalries and alliances to gain control.
June 8, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Myth #4:
"Spanish colonisers 'civilised' the Philippine islands."
Fact:
Long before Spain arrived, the archipelago was home to thriving, organised societies. The Spanish didn’t bring civilization, they conquered it; often by manipulating local rivalries and alliances to gain control.
"Spanish colonisers 'civilised' the Philippine islands."
Fact:
Long before Spain arrived, the archipelago was home to thriving, organised societies. The Spanish didn’t bring civilization, they conquered it; often by manipulating local rivalries and alliances to gain control.
Myth #3:
"Precolonial Filipino nobility was just like European feudal lords."
Fact:
Social classes were far more fluid, with mobility possible across ranks. Roles and obligations differed from European feudalism, and alipin were not chattel slaves but held varied, complex social functions.
"Precolonial Filipino nobility was just like European feudal lords."
Fact:
Social classes were far more fluid, with mobility possible across ranks. Roles and obligations differed from European feudalism, and alipin were not chattel slaves but held varied, complex social functions.
June 8, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Myth #3:
"Precolonial Filipino nobility was just like European feudal lords."
Fact:
Social classes were far more fluid, with mobility possible across ranks. Roles and obligations differed from European feudalism, and alipin were not chattel slaves but held varied, complex social functions.
"Precolonial Filipino nobility was just like European feudal lords."
Fact:
Social classes were far more fluid, with mobility possible across ranks. Roles and obligations differed from European feudalism, and alipin were not chattel slaves but held varied, complex social functions.
Myth #2:
"Precolonial Filipinos had no writing system or historical record."
Fact:
The Baybayin script was widely used, rich oral traditions preserved collective memory, and early documents like the Doctrina Christiana still survive as proof of a literate, expressive culture.
"Precolonial Filipinos had no writing system or historical record."
Fact:
The Baybayin script was widely used, rich oral traditions preserved collective memory, and early documents like the Doctrina Christiana still survive as proof of a literate, expressive culture.
June 8, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Myth #2:
"Precolonial Filipinos had no writing system or historical record."
Fact:
The Baybayin script was widely used, rich oral traditions preserved collective memory, and early documents like the Doctrina Christiana still survive as proof of a literate, expressive culture.
"Precolonial Filipinos had no writing system or historical record."
Fact:
The Baybayin script was widely used, rich oral traditions preserved collective memory, and early documents like the Doctrina Christiana still survive as proof of a literate, expressive culture.
Myth #1:
"Precolonial Filipinos were savages or just scattered tribes."
Fact:
The Kingdom of Tondo had established rulers, engaged in international trade, practiced diplomacy, and followed systems of law. Far from primitive, it was organized, sophisticated, and connected.
"Precolonial Filipinos were savages or just scattered tribes."
Fact:
The Kingdom of Tondo had established rulers, engaged in international trade, practiced diplomacy, and followed systems of law. Far from primitive, it was organized, sophisticated, and connected.
June 8, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Myth #1:
"Precolonial Filipinos were savages or just scattered tribes."
Fact:
The Kingdom of Tondo had established rulers, engaged in international trade, practiced diplomacy, and followed systems of law. Far from primitive, it was organized, sophisticated, and connected.
"Precolonial Filipinos were savages or just scattered tribes."
Fact:
The Kingdom of Tondo had established rulers, engaged in international trade, practiced diplomacy, and followed systems of law. Far from primitive, it was organized, sophisticated, and connected.
Next up in the Tondo mini-series: Let's separate fact from fiction. What are the myths and misconceptions about Tondo and early Philippine history? 🧵🧐
Follow now to continue this journey together.
#Pihlippines #PhilippineHistory
Follow now to continue this journey together.
#Pihlippines #PhilippineHistory
June 8, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Next up in the Tondo mini-series: Let's separate fact from fiction. What are the myths and misconceptions about Tondo and early Philippine history? 🧵🧐
Follow now to continue this journey together.
#Pihlippines #PhilippineHistory
Follow now to continue this journey together.
#Pihlippines #PhilippineHistory
Archaeological finds unearthed in Manila and around Laguna Bay continue to reshape our understanding of the past. Artifacts show a complex society, rich and connected through trade and culture, flourishing long before any European contact.
June 8, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Archaeological finds unearthed in Manila and around Laguna Bay continue to reshape our understanding of the past. Artifacts show a complex society, rich and connected through trade and culture, flourishing long before any European contact.
Today, efforts are underway to revive the ancient Baybayin script, deepen the study of precolonial history, and celebrate diverse native heritage. These initiatives are working to reclaim and tell Tondo's story, rescuing it from centuries of imposed silence.
June 8, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Today, efforts are underway to revive the ancient Baybayin script, deepen the study of precolonial history, and celebrate diverse native heritage. These initiatives are working to reclaim and tell Tondo's story, rescuing it from centuries of imposed silence.
During the Spanish colonial period, efforts were made to erase native systems and traditions. Yet indigenous languages, rituals, and traditional crafts persisted underground, enduring quietly. These cultural elements sometimes resurfaced, especially during nationalist movements.
June 8, 2025 at 3:05 AM
During the Spanish colonial period, efforts were made to erase native systems and traditions. Yet indigenous languages, rituals, and traditional crafts persisted underground, enduring quietly. These cultural elements sometimes resurfaced, especially during nationalist movements.
Indeed, many modern Filipino families trace their lineage to Tondo's maginoo nobility, including prominent political clans. This link provides a thread connecting the contemporary Philippines and its people to their pre-Spanish roots.
June 8, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Indeed, many modern Filipino families trace their lineage to Tondo's maginoo nobility, including prominent political clans. This link provides a thread connecting the contemporary Philippines and its people to their pre-Spanish roots.
The name Lakan Dula survives, honoured in streets, schools, and the collective public memory across the Philippines. This recognition, however, often exists without historical context. Nonetheless, he remains a symbol of precolonial sovereignty and an embodiment of Filipino resilience.
June 8, 2025 at 3:05 AM
The name Lakan Dula survives, honoured in streets, schools, and the collective public memory across the Philippines. This recognition, however, often exists without historical context. Nonetheless, he remains a symbol of precolonial sovereignty and an embodiment of Filipino resilience.
Today, Tondo is a bustling district in Manila, recognised as one of the largest urban poor communities in Asia. Its journey, from an ancient royal seat of power to a modern megacity's dense, often struggling, urban centre, tells a story of transformation and survival.
June 8, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Today, Tondo is a bustling district in Manila, recognised as one of the largest urban poor communities in Asia. Its journey, from an ancient royal seat of power to a modern megacity's dense, often struggling, urban centre, tells a story of transformation and survival.
Next up:
What remains of the once-great Kingdom of Tondo today? Its spirit endures in monuments, myths and collective memory. We'll talk about the lasting legacy of Tondo in the next instalment.
Follow for more Philippine history! 🧵🕯️
#Tondo #PhilippineHistory #LostKingdoms #History
What remains of the once-great Kingdom of Tondo today? Its spirit endures in monuments, myths and collective memory. We'll talk about the lasting legacy of Tondo in the next instalment.
Follow for more Philippine history! 🧵🕯️
#Tondo #PhilippineHistory #LostKingdoms #History
June 7, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Next up:
What remains of the once-great Kingdom of Tondo today? Its spirit endures in monuments, myths and collective memory. We'll talk about the lasting legacy of Tondo in the next instalment.
Follow for more Philippine history! 🧵🕯️
#Tondo #PhilippineHistory #LostKingdoms #History
What remains of the once-great Kingdom of Tondo today? Its spirit endures in monuments, myths and collective memory. We'll talk about the lasting legacy of Tondo in the next instalment.
Follow for more Philippine history! 🧵🕯️
#Tondo #PhilippineHistory #LostKingdoms #History
And yet Lakan Dula's name survived, etched into the collective consciousness, imprinted on enduring place names and kept alive in the local memory of the people. Even today, some families in the Philippines proudly trace their ancestry to Don Lacandola, a symbol of their nation's lost sovereignty.
June 7, 2025 at 10:05 AM
And yet Lakan Dula's name survived, etched into the collective consciousness, imprinted on enduring place names and kept alive in the local memory of the people. Even today, some families in the Philippines proudly trace their ancestry to Don Lacandola, a symbol of their nation's lost sovereignty.
This proved to be the last major act of resistance by Tondo's ruling class. In the aftermath, Tondo ceased to be a kingdom. Instead, it was absorbed into the Spanish colonial framework, becoming another administrative district. Its identity as a sovereign polity was erased.
June 7, 2025 at 10:05 AM
This proved to be the last major act of resistance by Tondo's ruling class. In the aftermath, Tondo ceased to be a kingdom. Instead, it was absorbed into the Spanish colonial framework, becoming another administrative district. Its identity as a sovereign polity was erased.
But not all accepted this. A resistance emerged in 1587-1588, as Lakan Dula's relatives, along with other native nobility, joined the Tondo Conspiracy: a plot to overthrow Spanish rule with help from Brunei, Japan, and Borneo.
It ultimately failed, and its leaders were either killed or exiled.
It ultimately failed, and its leaders were either killed or exiled.
June 7, 2025 at 10:05 AM
But not all accepted this. A resistance emerged in 1587-1588, as Lakan Dula's relatives, along with other native nobility, joined the Tondo Conspiracy: a plot to overthrow Spanish rule with help from Brunei, Japan, and Borneo.
It ultimately failed, and its leaders were either killed or exiled.
It ultimately failed, and its leaders were either killed or exiled.
Later, after Lakan Dula's death, an erosion of power began, stripping his heirs of their traditional authority. By the early 1600s, Spanish colonial law had replaced native customs. Tondo's once-powerful noble families were reduced to a new class of Christianised elites under European colonial rule.
June 7, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Later, after Lakan Dula's death, an erosion of power began, stripping his heirs of their traditional authority. By the early 1600s, Spanish colonial law had replaced native customs. Tondo's once-powerful noble families were reduced to a new class of Christianised elites under European colonial rule.
The Spanish, facing the task of controlling Luzon, needed allies. They gave Lakan Dula the title of Don Carlos Lacandola and treated him as a local chief. But this was not equality; it was subjugation. Tondo went from independent polity to vassal, then just another province under colonial rule.
June 7, 2025 at 10:05 AM
The Spanish, facing the task of controlling Luzon, needed allies. They gave Lakan Dula the title of Don Carlos Lacandola and treated him as a local chief. But this was not equality; it was subjugation. Tondo went from independent polity to vassal, then just another province under colonial rule.
In 1571, after Rajah Sulayman's defeat at the Battle of Bangkusay, Spain established Intramuros, a walled colonial capital, over the ruins of Manila. Faced with this reality, Lakan Dula accepted Spanish suzerainty. He was permitted to retain some power, but this arrangement would be temporary.
June 7, 2025 at 10:05 AM
In 1571, after Rajah Sulayman's defeat at the Battle of Bangkusay, Spain established Intramuros, a walled colonial capital, over the ruins of Manila. Faced with this reality, Lakan Dula accepted Spanish suzerainty. He was permitted to retain some power, but this arrangement would be temporary.