Content and Contextual Analysis: First Voyage Around the World
By: Antonio Pigafetta
Members:
Batchanecha, Kwen Deseree V.
Borromeo, Cindy S.
De Leon, Jansen C.
Dela Cruz, Alexa Karylle D.
Feliciano, Jillan R.
Fernandez, Aaron Jan Z.
Miller, JammyRose
Ponce, Divine C.
Date:
January 21, 2025
Course Subject:
Reading in the Philippine History
1
FIRST VOYAGE AROUND THE WORLD
By: Antonio Pigafetta
Background of the Author
Antonio Pigafetta was born in Italy, his exact birth year is not known but
speculated mostly to be 1491. He died in 1531 at a young age. Pigafetta was born to a
prominent noble family in the city of Vicenza in northeast Italy. Recent archival research
indicates that his father was Giovanni Pigafetta and his mother was a noblewoman
named Lucia. He was an Italian explorer and scholar. He is best known for his
participation in the first circumnavigation of the world from 1519 to 1522, led by
Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. He was a well-educated man with interests in
geography, cartography, and languages. One of Antonio Pigafetta's facts is that he
participated in the first circumnavigation of the world, which was initiated by Ferdinand
Magellan, a Portuguese explorer. King Charles of Spain ordered him to accompany
Ferdinand Magellan and his crew on their expedition to the Indies. He went to the Spice
Islands with Magellan's Spanish expedition in 1519. As Magellan's companion, he
documented records about the places, people, and cultures he witnessed in his precise
journal of the voyage. After Magellan's death in the Philippines, Pigafetta continued the
voyage and was one of the 18 survivors who completed the first circumnavigation of the
globe. Upon his return to Spain in 1522, Pigafetta presented his journal to King Charles
I. He later served in the Knights of Rhodes and may have participated in other voyages,
and unfortunately, he died sometime around 1531.
Background of the Document/Primary Source
"The First Voyage Around the World" is primarily a travelogue, a detailed
personal account of Pigafetta's experiences during Magellan's expedition. The exact
number of "parts" or "chapters" can vary depending on the specific edition and how it's
divided. However, Pigafetta's account generally follows a chronological narrative of the
2
voyage, often broken down into sections based on geographical locations or significant
events.
The inaugural circumnavigation of the world at the starting point of the 16th
century followed a path known as the voyage of Magellan. This route was organized
and led by Ferdinand Magellan, one of the most notable explorers and sailors in history.
He first outlined the Pacific Ocean, a new and massive ocean that had never been fully
explored before, as well as the Strait that connected the two large oceans on Earth, the
Atlantic and Pacific. For four centuries, ships used this route to connect the East and
the West because it was the only way for ships to do so until the Panama Canal was
built in the 20th century. On March 16, 1521, Magellan and his crew arrived on the ship
Victoria in the Philippines, also known as the island of Ladroni. The first place they
arrived to was Zama (Samar). The native Filipinos welcomed the foreigners with open
arms, and as Pigafetta describes, "they exhibited great signs of pleasure at seeing us."
He succeeded in his plan to influence the faith of people in the island he conquered,
including ours. Some of the natives showed signs of joy at the arrival of the Magellan
crew.
Content Analysis
Understanding the historical information
Identify and describe the customs and traditions mentioned in the document that
have:
1. Socio-cultural significance
2. Political significance
3. Economic significance
3
1. Socio-cultural significance
Pigafetta's thorough account of the Visayans physical appearance, as well
as their attitude and traditions, reflects our Visayan ancestors' early life. Magellan
also introduced our ancestors to Christianity during the expedition.
2. Political significance
Throughout the pre-colonial period of the Philippines, notably in Visayas,
island had Monarchy as a system of governance administered by members of a
royal family or dynasty. According to the text, each island was headed by a king
or chief who was commonly referred to as raia or raja. Some of the kings are
accompanied by men as written during the encounters they had with Magellan
and his crew.
3. Economic Significance
The barter system was demonstrated; both parties exchanging goods for
something that they wanted or needed. Moreover, there was also purchasing in
the voyagers' part, as it was written in this journal that they bought some items,
usually food, from the early Filipinos. It was also noted in this account showed
that Filipinos wear clothing crafted from trees to conceal their natural parts, they
utilize stone and metal tools for daily living. and they are wealthy in gold.
Corroboration between information from internet and the primary source:
External Evidence
Geographical Accuracy: Pigafetta's descriptions of lands encountered,
such as the Strait of Magellan, the Philippines, and the Spice Islands, have been
generally corroborated by modern geography and historical research.
Encounter Accounts: Accounts of encounters with indigenous peoples in
South America, the Philippines, and the Spice Islands, while sometimes
4
Eurocentric, offer valuable insights into the societies and cultures of those
regions that align with other contemporary and later historical sources.
Bias:
Eurocentric Perspective: Pigafetta, as a European, viewed the world through a
lens of European superiority. He often described indigenous cultures as
"barbaric" or "savage," reflecting the prevailing ethnocentric attitudes of the time.
Emphasis on Spanish Glory: The narrative frequently emphasizes the
achievements and triumphs of the Spanish expedition, downplaying the
hardships and losses faced by the crew.
Limited Indigenous Voices: While Pigafetta attempted to describe the cultures
he encountered, his perspective remains that of an outsider, offering limited
insight into the indigenous viewpoints and experiences.
Additional information
The relevance of his own venture, Pigafetta- fundamentally lies in the fact that he
took part to the first globe circumnavigation, between 1519 and 1522, and he was able
to accomplish it after the murder of Ferdinand Magellan, leaving a detailed description
of the journey in the Report of the first trip around the world, a lost manuscript that was
rescued later, in 1797, and today is considered one of the most important documentary
evidence relating the geographical discoveries of the Sixteenth Century.
Antonio Pigafetta, fascinating and fleing personality, for scholars he still
represents a partial mystery. About him too little is known to define a satisfactory profile
on the biographical side. Documents and the testimony of contemporaneous people are
scarves, and his own character primarily appears from what he wrote in his own report.
the history of navy exploration and discovery
5
Contribution and Relevance of the Document in Understanding the Grand
Narrative of Philippine History
Economic Motives, Religion, Political Ambition, and Scientific Curiousity are one
of the causes of Magellan’s Expedition.
Economic Motives:
The primary driver was to find a westward sea route to the Spice Islands (Maluku
Islands) in Indonesia, bypassing the Portuguese monopoly on the lucrative spice
trade with Asia.
The expedition also aimed to discover new lands rich in gold and silver to
increase Spanish wealth and power.
Religion:
The Spanish Crown and the Catholic Church were eager to spread Christianity to
newly discovered lands and convert indigenous populations.
Political Ambition:
Spain sought to expand its global influence and establish dominance in maritime
trade routes.
The expedition aimed to challenge Portuguese dominance in the East Indies and
assert Spanish imperial power.
Scientific Curiousity:
Geographical Exploration: There was a strong desire to expand geographical
knowledge, map new territories, and prove the Earth was spherical.
The First Voyage Around the World, written by Antonio Pigafetta, is an important
source for learning about the history of the Philippines during the precolonial period. It
gives us a detailed account of what happened during Ferdinand Magellan’s voyage,
6
including the first interactions between Europeans and Filipinos. This is one of the
earliest written records of the Philippines, making it very valuable for historians. Through
this document, we can learn about the lives, culture, and practices of Filipinos before
colonization, as well as how the Spanish viewed them.
Magellan’s arrival in the Philippines led to many significant effects. For example, his
meeting with Rajah Humabon and other local leaders caused the spread of Christianity,
which became a major influence on Filipino traditions and beliefs. At the same time, it
triggered conflicts like the Battle of Mactan, where Magellan was killed by Lapulapu and
his warriors. These events also had lasting consequences. Christianity became deeply
rooted in Filipino culture, marking the beginning of Spanish colonization. On the other
hand, the resistance in Mactan became a powerful symbol of Filipino courage and
independence.
One of the key turning points was the conversion of the people of Cebu to
Christianity, which marked the beginning of Spanish influence in the islands. Another
important moment was the Battle of Mactan, where the death of Magellan showed that
not all Filipinos would surrender their freedom to foreign powers. These events shaped
Philippine history by showing both the start of colonization and the resilience of the
Filipino people. They remind us of the challenges faced during this time and the
changes that led to the Philippines’ unique identity today.
Relevance of the Document to the Present Time
Pigafetta's work served as a reference point for future navigators and historians,
contributing to the understanding of geography and the implications of colonial
expansion. In recent years, the impact of Magellan's voyage has continued to be a topic
of interest, as scholars explore its implications on globalization and cross-cultural
interactions. The challenges faced by Magellan and his crew highlight the risks involved
in exploration, which resaonate with contemporary issues of international travel and
cultural exchange. Furthermore, Antonio Pigafetta's account of the first voyage around
7
the world is not only chronicles a significant historical event but also provides an
enduring legacy that informs our understanding of exploration, culture, and the global
landscape. His observations remain relevant as we study the complexities of cultural
interactions and the historical roots of globalization in modern society.
By studying Pigafetta's descriptions, we recognize the value of these cultures and the
detrimental effects of colonization and cultural imperialism. Recent movements
advocating for indigenous rights and the protection of cultural heritage find strong
historical echoes in the lessons drawn from Pigafetta's experiences. Additionally, the
document sparks discussions about the ethics of exploration, the motivations behind
expeditions, and the subsequent consequences for native populations. As modern
explorers, scientists, and tourists venture into previously untouched areas, the ethical
considerations inherent to such actions are highly relevant.
