In Butuan City, Agusan del Norte | The Filipino word Baranggay came from the word: Balangay or Balanghai which is watercraft used by the ancient people in the
Philippines for transportation and for barter and trade. If I am not mistaken,
it was discussed when I was in the fifth grade, in HEKASI. I am happy that
today, it’s time to see the actual relics of Balangay, discovered in Butuan. Since the guard did not allow me to
use my DSLR or even my digital camera, photos below were captured using my mobile
camera:
Introduction: History, Travel Guide, Things you Need to Know.
The coffin burials that led to
the discovery of the boat lie 16 meters east of the boat. Similar to the
inhumation in Suatan, Butuan, the coffins contain 14-15th century
materials associate with remains having deformed skulls. Nine of these coffins
were uncovered in a single trench but all the materials have been disturbed by
the pothunters. Reports have been made of multiple burials in the coffins which
unlike coffin burials in rock shelters in the Central Philippine areas, were
apparently primary burials with the remains fully extended. The coffins
proportionately are large, measuring approximately 3 meters.
Although proximate to the boat,
the coffin burials have no chronological reference to the 12-13th
century midden later. The burials are
situated on the high ground beyond the eastern limits of the midden – source:
National Museum, Butuan.
There are
old photos taken during the excavation of the Balangay decades ago.
Here's our group shot outside the National Museum in Butuan. This branch of National Museum of the Philippines is a small structure but the artifacts inside is the ancient and historical remnants of the Balangay. Most part of this structure is surrounded by glass protecting each of the relics. READ: BACKPACKING in Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, and Camiguin