Datu
Datu is the title for ancient tribal chieftains in the pre-hispanic Philippines. Together with Sultan and Raja they are also titles of royalty and currently used in Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia and are the equivalent of Dukes, Marquis, etc.. Datu was derived from Malay words dato' or datok, which are the royal titles of the Malays. The myth of the arrival of ten Bornean datus is celebrated in the Binirayan festival in the island of Panay(in ancient tongue called "Aninipay").
Datu in Filipino Muslim society
Muslims in the Philippines are called 'moros', a term inherited from the Spaniards. In the traditional structure of Filipino Muslim societies, sultans were the highest authority followed by the datus and their rule was sanctioned by the Quran. Datus were measured by the number of followers. In return for tribute and labor, the datu provided aid in emergencies and advocacy in disputes with other communities, through the agamat . A Datu is basic to the smooth function of the Filipino muslim society. He was a powerful authority figure who may have as many as four wives but in modern times ussually has only one. In the old days, they led raids on other villages. They may demand revenge maratabat for the death of a follower or upon injury to his honor.Datus continued to act as the community leaders in Muslim societies in Mindanao and administered the Sharia (Islamic law) through the agama. The support of the datu was essential for government programs in Muslim communities. Polygamy under Islam was permitted but rarely practised. Muslim communities tend to be hierarchical in rural areas.Recorded List of Datus in the Philippines.
- Lapu-Lapu - Defiant chieftain who led forces that slew Ferdinand Magellan in 1521.
- Datu Dinagandan -First ruler of Aklan, circa 1200
- Kalantiaw - Ruler of Aklan in 1399.
- Kalantiaw III /Rajah Bendahara Kalantiaw- Formulated the Code of Kalantiaw in 1433 (mythical, see related article).
- Datu Paiburong - Pre-hispanic ruler of Ilo-ilo
- Datu Sikatuna - Ruler of Bohol in 1565. Made a pact with Miguel López de Legaspi
- Datu Pax S. Mangudadato - Current (Not prehispanic but a Datu) Governor of Sultan Kudarat(2001-2004)
- Datu Puti- One of the 10 Bornean Datus to arrive in Ilo-ilo before the Spanish colonial period. (mythical, see related article)
- Rajah Calambu, chief in 1521 of Limasawa, brother of Rajah Siagu ofButuan. He met Ferdinand Magellan and guided him to Cebu on April 7, 1521.
- Rajah Siagu was chief of Manobo in 1521.
- Raja Humabon was ruler of Cebu and became an ally of Ferdinand Magellan and an enemy of Lapu-lapu.
- Rajah Suliman
- Rajah Lakandula
- Irong-Irong
- Rajah Tupas
- Datu Makabulos( Macabulos) ruled with elders the town of Lubao, Pampanga around 1571.