The major islands of the Visayas arePanay,Negros,Cebu,Bohol,Leyte andSamar.[6] The region may also include the provinces ofPalawan,Romblon, andMasbate, whose populations identify as Visayan and whose languages are more closely related to other Visayan languages than to the major languages ofLuzon.
The exact meaning and origin of the name of the Visayas is unknown. The first documented use of the name is possibly by Song-era Chinese maritime officialZhao Rugua as thePi-sho-ye, who raided the coasts ofFujian andPenghu during the late 12th century using iron javelins attached to ropes as their weapons.[8][9][10]
Visayans were first referred to by the general termPintados ("the painted ones") by the Spanish, in reference to the prominent practice of full-body tattooing (batok).[11] The word "Bisaya", on the other hand, was first documented inSpanish sources in reference to the non-Ati inhabitants of the island ofPanay. However, it is likely that the name was already used as a generalendonym byVisayans long before Spanish colonization, as evidenced by at least once instance of a place named "Bisaya" in coastal eastern Mindanao as reported by theLoaisa (c.1526),Saavedra (c.1528), and theVillalobos (c.1543) expeditions. It is likely that the reason the Spanish did not use the term generally until the later decades of the 1500s is due to the fact that people were more likely to identify themselves with more specific ethnic names likeSugbuanon.[12]
InSucesos de las Islas Filipinas (1609) byAntonio de Morga, he specifies that the name "Biçaya" is synonymous withPintados.[13]
"South of this district lie the islands of Biçayas, or, as they are also called, Pintados. They are many in number, thickly populated with natives. Those of most renown areLeite,Ybabao,Çamar,Bohol, island ofNegros,Sebu,Panay,Cuyo, and theCalamianes. All the natives of these islands, both men and women, are well-featured, of a good disposition, and of better nature, and more noble in their actions than the inhabitants of the islands ofLuzon and its vicinity.
They differ from them in their hair, which the men wear cut in a cue, like the ancient style in España. Their bodies are tattooed with many designs, but the face is not touched. They wear large earrings of gold and ivory in their ears, and bracelets of the same; certain scarfs wrapped round the head, very showy, which resemble turbans, and knotted very gracefully and edged with gold. They wear also a loose collarless jacket with tight sleeves, whose skirts reach half way down the leg. These garments are fastened in front and are made ofmedriñaque and coloredsilks. They wear no shirts or drawers, butbahaques of many wrappings, which cover their privy parts, when they remove their skirts and jackets. The women are good-looking and graceful. They are very neat, and walk slowly. Their hair is black, long, and drawn into a knot on the head. Their robes are wrapped about the waist and fall downward. These are made of all colors, and they wear collarless jackets of the same material. Both men and women go naked and without any coverings, and barefoot, and with many gold chains, earrings, and wrought bracelets.
Their weapons consist of large knives curved like cutlasses, spears, andcaraças. They employ the same kinds of boats as the inhabitants of Luzon. They have the same occupations, products, and means of gain as the inhabitants of all the other islands. These Visayans are a race less inclined to agriculture, and are skilful in navigation, and eager for war and raids for pillage and booty, which they callmangubas. This means "to go out for plunder."
. . .The language of all the Pintados and Biçayas is one and the same, by which they understand one another when talking, or when writing with the letters and characters of their own which they possess.These resemble those of the Arabs. The common manner of writing among the natives is on leaves of trees, and on bamboo bark.
From the 1950s to 1960s there were spurious claims by various authors that "Bisaya" is derived from the historical empire of "Sri Vijaya" which came from theSanskrit term "Śrīvijaya" (श्रीविजय), arguing that the Visayans were either settlers fromSri Vijaya or were subjects of it. This claim is largely based only on the resemblance of the wordBisaya toVijaya.[12] But as the linguist Eugene Verstraelen pointed out,Vijaya would evolve intoBidaya orBiraya, notBisaya, based on how otherSanskrit-derivedloanwords become integrated into Philippine languages.[14][15]
The name has also been hypothesized to be related to theBisaya ethnic group ofBorneo, the latter incidentally recounted in the controversialMaragtas epic as the alleged origins of the ancestral settlers in Panay. However historical, archeological, and linguistic evidence for this are still paltry. The languages of the Bisaya of Borneo and of the Bisaya of the Philippines do not show any special correlation, apart from the fact that they all belong to the sameAustronesian family. This is contested by Historian Robert Nicholl who implied that the Srivijayans of Sumatra, Vijayans of Vijayapura at Brunei and the Visayans in the Philippines were all related and connected to each other since they form one contiguous area.[16] On a similar note, according to an early Spanish missionary and historian P. Francisco Colin, S.J. in the Philippines, the inhabitants of Panay Island were originally from north Sumatra.[17] Similarly there are claims that it was the name of a folk hero (allegedly "Sri Visaya") or that it originated from the exclamation "Bisai-yah!" ("How beautiful!") by the Sultan of Brunei who was visiting Visayas for the first time. All these claims have been challenged and remain as mere speculations andfolk etymologies.[12]
1668 depiction of a datu and a binukot, who were regarded as part of the aristocracy (Principalia) during the early period of Spanish.Waray peopleWar dance 1792
Among the Chinese, especially during the Ming era, the Visayans are called Peshiye.[18]
The areas known as Pisheye were probably located in lowland coastal regions with minimal agricultural activity, a description that primarily fit theRajahnate of Cebu and secondarily, the neighboring kingdoms:Dapitan,Madja-as, andButuan; fit well.[18]
The Visayans, known for their seafaring prowess, frequently conducted raids on the southern coasts of China. Their targets included major cities such asQuanzhou, along with smaller towns like Shui'ao and Weito. These attacks were launched from their operational base located inEastern Taiwan.[18]
Wang's account of the locals' appearance aligns with descriptions of the Pintados people. He noted that both men and women gathered their hair into topknots (男女撮髻, nan nü cuo ji) and used ink to tattoo their bodies up to the neck (以墨汁刺身至頭頸, yi mo zhi ci shen zhi tou jing).[18]
After the defeat of theMagellan expedition at theBattle of Mactan byLapu-Lapu, KingPhilip II of Spain sentMiguel López de Legazpi in 1543 and 1565 to colonize the islands for Spain. Subsequently, the Visayas region and many kingdoms began converting to Christianity and adopting western culture. By the 18th and 19th centuries, the effects of colonization on various ethnic groups turned sour and revolutions such as those ofFrancisco Dagohoy began to emerge.
Various personalities who fought against the Spanish colonial government arose within the archipelago. Among the notable ones areTeresa Magbanua,Graciano Lopez Jaena[19] andMartin Delgado fromIloilo,Aniceto Lacson,León Kilat and Diego de la Viña fromNegros, Venancio Jakosalem Fernandez fromCebu,[20] and two personalities fromBohol by the name ofTamblot, who led theTamblot Uprising in 1621 to 1622 andFrancisco Dagohoy, the leader of the Bohol Rebellion that lasted from 1744 to 1829.[21] Negros briefly stood as an independent nation in the Visayas in the form of the CantonalRepublic of Negros, before it was absorbed back to the Philippines because of the American takeover of the archipelago.
The short-livedFederal State of the Visayas was established as a revolutionary state during the Philippine Revolution. It designatedIloilo City as the Visayas capital and was composed of three governments: the Provisional Government of the District of Visayas (Panay), theCantonal Government of Negros, the Cantonal Government of Bohol, and the island of Cebu, which was under revolutionary control.[22]
On May 23, 2005,Palawan (including its highly urbanized capital city ofPuerto Princesa) was transferred from Mimaropa (Region IV-B) to Western Visayas (Region VI) underExecutive Order No. 429, signed byGloria Macapagal Arroyo, who was thepresident at that year.[23] However, Palaweños criticized the move, citing a lack of consultation, with most residents in Puerto Princesa and all Palawan municipalities but one, preferring to stay in Mimaropa (Region IV-B). Consequently,Administrative Order No. 129 was issued on August 19, 2005, that the implementation ofE.O. 429 be held in abeyance, pending approval by the president of its Implementation Plan.[24] The PhilippineCommission on Elections reported the2010 Philippine general election results for Palawan as a part of the Region IV-B results.[25] As of 30 June 2011[update], the abeyance was still in effect, with Palawan and its capital city remaining underMimaropa (Region IV-B).
On August 9, 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte signedExecutive Order No. 38, revoking theExecutive Order No. 183 signed by his predecessor, President Benigno Aquino III, on May 29, 2015, due to the reason of the lack of funds to fully establish the NIR according toBenjamin Diokno, theSecretary of Budget and Management.
Visayan men 1930's.
On June 13, 2024, the Negros Island Region was re-established, with the inclusion ofSiquijor.
Historical documents written in 1907 by Visayan historian Pedro Alcántara Monteclaro in his bookMaragtas tell the story of the ten leaders (Datus) who escaped from the tyranny of Rajah Makatunaw from Borneo and came to the islands of Panay. The chiefs and followers were said to be the ancestors (from the collapsing empires of Srivijaya and Majapahit) of theVisayan people. The documents were accepted by Filipino historians and found their way into the history of the Philippines. As a result, the arrival of Bornean tribal groups in the Visayas (From Vijayapura aSrivijayan vassal state in Borneo)[26] is celebrated in the festivals of theDinagyang inIloilo City,Ati-Atihan inKalibo,Aklan, andBinirayan inSan Jose de Buenavista,Antique. Foreign historians such asWilliam Henry Scott maintains that the book contains a Visayan folk tradition.[27]
Ati-Atihan Festival, a celebration of the purported arrival of "Borneans" in Panay
A contemporary theory based on a study ofgenetic markers in present-day populations is thatAustronesian peoples from Taiwan populated the larger island of Luzon and headed south to the Visayas and Mindanao, and then to Indonesia and Malaysia, then toPacific Islands and finally to the island of Madagascar, at the west of theIndian Ocean.[28] The study, though, may not explain inter-island migrations, which are also possible, such as Filipinos migrating to any other Philippine provinces. There has even been backmigration to the island of Taiwan, as the historian Efren B. Isorena, through analysis of historical accounts and wind currents in the Pacific side of East and Southeast Asia, concluded that the Pisheye of Taiwan and the Bisaya of the Visayas islands in the Philippines, were closely related people as Visayans were recorded to have travelled to Taiwan from the Philippines via the northward windcurrents before they raided China and returned south after the southwards monsoon during summer.[29]
Visayans are recognized as hospitable, religious, fun, and robust people. They love to party and celebrate birthdays, graduations, baptisms, weddings, and holidays.Visayans like to sing (Karaoke) while drinking and dancing during these celebrations. They love to cook traditional foods likeSuman,Sapin- Sapin, andBibingka made with sticky rice during Halloween. They visited their dead loved ones at the cemetery. Aside from celebrations, Visayas has sweet and delicious mangoes that you can find inGuimaras nearIloilo City. White Beach Resort is calledBoracay. It is a well-known beautiful beach located inWestern Visayas atCaticlan Province. Many foreign people love to visit this beach, which is full of fun summer activities and beachside restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops. You can also find the Seafood Capital of thePhilippines, located atRoxas, City Province ofCapiz. You can taste fresh seafood daily, like shrimp, crabs, prawns, seashells, and fish.
Visayans honor their traditions and culture by celebrating festivals as they are known to be Roman Catholic or Christian in religion. These festivals are celebrated in tribute to their saints, to share peace and happiness, to give thanks for the abundant harvest, and to advertise their products.Visayans are known for their different festivals celebrated in other cities of Visayan Island.[31][32]
Sinulog Festival is celebrated every third Sunday in January inCebu City. This festival is a tribute to their saint,Senior Santo Nino de Cebu. The Sinulog festival includes parades, fluvial processions, dances, Cebu beauty pageants, and sometimes arts contests. Some other parts ofCebu provinces participate in the celebration by performing traditional dances and decorating a float, or Higantes, to represent their patron.
Sinulog Festival, one of the grandest festivals in the Philippines held in Cebu.
Ati-Atihan Festival is celebrated every third Sunday in January, likeSinulog Festival. It is held inKalibo, Aklan, onPanay Island, where the firstindigenous people settled, calledAestas, orAti's. This festival devotes to the mystery of baby Jesus and Indigenous people. The people who participate paint their bodies and face and wear indigenous costumes and props. The festival included music, drums, and parades for several days.
Dinagyang Festival is celebrated inIloilo City on the fourth Sunday of January. This festival marks the baby Jesus Senior Sto. Nino. AtAti-Atihan Festival inAklan,Dinagyang also hasAti's dancing to celebrate the entry ofMalay inPanay Island, colorful costumes, and a Pageant forMiss Iloilo; Sadsad is a procession with a decorated float. Schools and businesses inBarangays in this city participate in dancing competitions at this festival.[33]
Amap of the Visayas, color-coded according to the constituent regions (since June 2024)
Central Visayas
Eastern Visayas
Western Visayas
Negros Island Region
The major islands, from west to east, arePanay,Negros,Cebu,Bohol,Leyte, andSamar.A former map of the Visayas, prior to the revival of Negros Island Region in June 2024
The Visayas is composed of 16provinces, each headed by a Governor. A governor is elected by popular vote and can serve a maximum of three terms consisting of three years each.
Scholars have argued that the region ofMimaropa and the province ofMasbate are all part of the Visayas in line with the non-centric view. This is contested by a few politicians in line with the Manila-centric view.[34][35]
Languages spoken at home are primarilyVisayan languages despite the usual misconception that these are dialects of a single macrolanguage.Cebuano is the largest native language spoken on Visayas Island, where approximately 20 million natives speak it.[37] Major languages includeHiligaynon or Ilonggo in Western Visayas,Cebuano in Central Visayas, andWaray in Eastern Visayas. Other dominant languages areAklanon,Kinaray-a, andCapiznon.Filipino, the 'national language' based onTagalog, is widely understood but occasionally used. English, another official language, is more widely known and is preferred as the second language most especially among urbanized Visayans. For instance, English rather than Tagalog is frequently used in schools, public signs, and mass media.
There has been ongoing contention regarding the use of the wordBisaya among speakers of Visayan languages. The termBisaya broadly refers to the people of the Visayas region in the Philippines, as well as those who have migrated to other parts of the country, including Luzon and Mindanao. The Visayas region encompasses several ethnolinguistic groups and languages, includingHiligaynon,Cebuano,Waray, and others, which are distinct and not mutually intelligible, despite belonging to the same language family.
Over the years,Bisaya has often been used interchangeably with Cebuano in many parts of the country,[38] though this practice is context-dependent and varies across regions. Cebuano-speaking settlers in Mindanao and other areas outside Cebu frequently refer to themselves and their language as Bisaya to distinguish themselves from the people of Cebu and their dialect. To address this ambiguity, some propose using the termSinugbuanong Binisaya (which has been the term used in basic education)[39] to specify Cebuano, while others suggestBinisaya as a broader term. Surveys, such as those conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA),[40][41] often separate Bisaya and Cebuano, despite the two being mutually intelligible. Ethnologue, however, only lists Cebuano as a language.[42] In Western Visayas,Bisaya may refer to Hiligaynon or Kinaray-a speakers, whereas in Eastern Visayas, it may denote Waray speakers.
In Mindanao, migrant ethnic groups from Luzon and indigenous peoples have assimilated into predominantly Cebuano-speaking societies (or Hiligaynon-speaking communities in the case of Soccsksargen) over the years. Many of these individuals now identify as Visayans after learning Cebuano, though they often retain knowledge of their non-Visayan roots and may still speak their ancestral languages fluently as a second or third language.[43]
^On May 23, 2005, Palawan and Puerto Princesa City were moved to Western Visayas by Executive Order No. 429.[4] However, on August 19, 2005, President Arroyo issued Administrative Order No. 129 to hold the earlier E.O. 429 in abeyance pending a review.[5] As of 2010[update], Palawan and the highly urbanized city ofPuerto Princesa still remain a part of theMimaropa region.
^Frances Antoinette Cruz, Nassef Manabilang Adiong (2020).International Studies in the Philippines Mapping New Frontiers in Theory and Practice. Taylor and Francis. p. 27.ISBN9780429509391.
^Richard Pearson (2022).Taiwan Archaeology Local Development and Cultural Boundaries in the China Seas. University of Hawaii Press. p. 119.ISBN9780824893774.
^Jocano, F. Landa (July 31, 2009).Sulod Society: A Study in the Kinship System and Social Organization of a Mountain People of Central Panay. University of the Philippines Press. pp. 23, 24.
^abcBaumgartner, Joseph (1974). "The Bisaya of Borneo and the Philippines: A New Look at Maragtas".Philippine Quarterly of Culture and Society.2 (3):167–170.JSTOR29791138.
^Verstraelen, Eugene; Trosdal, Mimi (1974). "Lexical Studies on the Cebuano Language".Philippine Quarterly of Culture and Society.2 (4):231–237.JSTOR29791163.
^Verstraelen, Eugene (1973). "Linguistics and Philippine Prehistory".Philippine Quarterly of Culture and Society.1 (3):167–174.JSTOR29791077.
^Isorena, Efren B. (2004). "The Visayan Raiders of the China Coast, 1174–1190 Ad".Philippine Quarterly of Culture and Society.32 (2):73–95.JSTOR29792550.
^Romulo, Liana (2012).Filipino Celebration A treasury of feast and festival. Tuttle Publishing.
^Funtecha, Henry Florida (1992).Popular Festivals in Western Visayas. Center for West Visayan Studies, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines in the Visayas.
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