Antonio Pigafetta's First Voyage Around the World

Antonio Pigafetta's Background (1492-1531)

-was born in Vicenza in 1492 and died on 1531. He was an Italian scholar and explorer from the Republic
of Venice who served aboard the galleys of the Knights of Rhodes and he also accompanied the papal nuncio,
Monsignor Chieregati to Spain. But he was most notably known for being a part of the first circumnavigation
of the world and his eye-witness accounts of their expedition. From its start in San Lucar on September 20,
1519 to their return in Sevilla on September 7, 1522.

Historical Background
-The 15th-17th century was characterized as the, “Age of Discovery or Exploration” where Spain and
Portugal wanted to expand their trade routes, commercial prospects, and to find the spice islands, this then led
to countless expeditions.

Ferdinand Magellan
By the year 1514 Magellan had a disagreement with the Portuguese government and so he went to Spain to
convince King Charles V that the spice islands belonged to their half of the world . Convinced King Charles
gave him 5 ships and appointed him captain general of the expedition.

The Arrival (March 16-17, 1521)

 When Magellan arrived in the Philippines they first caught sight of a “high land” named “Zamal island
or Samar”.
 The ships turned right to another island at 10 degrees North Latitude to the island of Humunu
(Homonhon). Here they rested, refilled their water supply, and built a camp for the sick crew members.
In the island according to Pigafetta they found two springs of the clearest water which they called
Acquada sa li buoni Segnialli ( the Watering-place of Good Signs) because here they found the first
signs of the existence of gold in Philippines.

The Encounter - March 18-25 1521

 On Monday afternoon they saw a boat coming towards them with 9 men aboard, and this was the first
time they encountered the natives of the country.
 They first encountered the people of the neighboring island of Zuluan.
 The Chief of the group showed signs of joy of their arrival.
 Seeing that they were reasonable people Magellan offered food and gave them gifts (red caps, mirrors,
combs, bells, ivory, bocasine and other things). They returned the courtesy by giving food like fish,
wine (uraca or arrack), bananas and coconuts. They continued to trade for four straight days.
  Pigafetta described the group as painted, with gold earrings, gold armlets and handkerchiefs around
their head.
 The Spaniards also encountered the people living near Homonhon, who were called Caphri or heathen,
they are naked except of a piece of cloth made from the bark of a tree to hide their private areas. While
the chiefs wore silk rather than cloth which was held together by needles. They were painted, fat and
had very black hair.

7. The Kings - March 28-30 1521

 They anchored to an island where they saw a light from a bonfire the night before, this was the island
of Mazaua or now known as Limasawa. Here Magellan’s slave Enrique served as their translator.
 They met King Raia Colambu the king of Butuan island and Calagan island who exchanged gifts with
the captain general.
 Pigafetta with another man was sent at the King’s house so that the King would show some of his
things as requested by the captain general.
 They soon met the brother of King Raia Colambu who was also the king of another island, who was
named King Raia Siaui and the brothers would always meet and hunt on his island which was the
Mazaua or Limasawa island.

The First Mass- March 31, 1521

 The first mass was held at the island of Limasawa at the last day of March and eastern day. Magellan
sent the priest ashore with some men to prepare for the mass.
 Later in the morning Magellan landed with some fifty men all without their armors but with their
weapons to join the mass on the shore. The captain general then sprinkled the bodies of the kings with
musk water before the mass started.
 The mass was celebrated, where in the kings copied the movements of the men, kissing the cross, but
they didn’t make an offering and as the body of christ was raised they prayed with clasped hands.
 In the afternoon they returned ashore to plant the cross in to the summit of the highest hill in the island.
In the summit of the island Magellan asked where was the best port to get food. The kings answered
that there were three islands namely Ceylon, Zubu and Calaghann, but that Zubu was the largest and
the one with the most trade.

The Island of Mazaua - April 1-3 1521

 Upon hearing of Zubu Magellan asked for some of their men to guide them to Zubu but they could not
provide any. In the following day King Raia Siaui changed his mind but requested that they wait two
days after he has harvested his rice and finished other matters. He said that he would guide them
himself once it was over and asked for some of Magellan’s men to help him.
 In the island of Mazaua they also encounter some natives that they described as heathens.
To Zubu- April 4 1521
 Led by King Raia Siaui they left Mazaua and headed northwest passing the islands of Ceylon, Baybai,
Bohol, Camighan and Gatighan. From Gatighan they headed west to Zubu.

11. The Island Of Cebu - April 7

 Magellan and his men entered the port of Zubu (Cebu)

 When they reached the port they fired all their Artillery and many people became scared of what they did,
but that is just their custom when entering into such places, as a sign of peace and friendship and an honor
to the king as what the interpreter explained to the people of Zubu.
 The reason why they visit Zubu was to visit the king because he heard some good reports about him from
the king of mazaua and he wanted to trade his merchandise for food.
 Most trade island than Ceylon and Calaghan
 The king of Zubu is Raia Humabon.

12. The Beginning of Christianity in the Philippines- April 9 1521

 The captain general said many things concerning about peace.
 Captain-General told them that they should not become christian because of fear and to please them but
because of their free will.
 That if you became christian you will have an eternal life
.
13.The First Baptism of Don Carlo April 14, 1521
 Raia Humabon was the first king who embraced Christianity and after baptism they named him Don Carlo.
 Don Carlo was the only one who wished to be a Christian and the other kings did not obey and said that
they were strong enough;
 The Captain-general called them and tell them that if they will not obey the king they will be killed and all
of their possession will be given to their king, the other chiefs replied that they will now obey the king.
 Second cross was built in Cebu.
 A larged cross was set up in the middle of the square; and Magellan explained to the people that if they
wish to be a christian they need to burn down all the idols they have and they will just pray in that cross
with clasped hands, doing the sign of the cross and kneeling when praying.
14 Miracle
 People didn’t burn the idols for the sick man who had not spoken for four days.
 Magellan telled them to burn down all the idols they have and believed in christ that if the sick man will be
baptized he will soon recover, and tell the people that if the sick man will not get well they can behead him
there.
 After the baptism and procession to the sick man and his family, the captain quickly ask the sick man how
he felt, he spoke immediately and said that by the grace our lord he felt very well.
 That was a most manifest miracle that happened in our times.

15. The Death Ceremony

 When one of the chief died, Antonio was able to witness what they do when someone died.
 All the women of the place go to the house of the deceased, the deceased is placed in the middle of the
house in a box in the manner of palisade to which many branches of the trees were attached.
 Each one by a girl who fans him with a palm leaf fan; other women sit in the room sadly; one woman cuts
off the hair of the deceased very slowly with a knife.
 They keep the body in the house for about five or six days and bury the body and same box which is shut
in a log.

16 The Battle of Mactan- April 27, 1521

 Zula principal men or chief of Mactan, ordered his son to give two goats to the captain general as he
promised but was not able to give it because Cilapulapu stop him.
 Cilapulapu wants Magellan to comeback where he came from and triggered him for a battle.
 The captain did not wish to fight then, but sent a message to the natives by the muslim to the effect that if
they obey the king of Spain, recognize the Christian king as their sovereign and pay as atribute, he would
be their friend; but that if they wished otherwise they should wish to see how our lances wounded, but the
natives were not terrified.
 Magellan had his right leg pierced with a poisoned arrow, on which account he gave orders to retreat by
degrees; a javelin wound in the right arm; enemies rushed to him; One of them with a great sword like a
scimetar (which can be cilapulapu) gave him a great blow on the left leg, which make the captain brought
down his face while other indians also rushed to him with lances and scimetars.

17. After the Death of Magellan, April 27, 1521

 The king and Antonio ask the natives if they could have the body of Magellan and other men who died
during the battle but the natives refused.
 But they answered that no account would they ever give up that man, they wish to preserved him as a
monument of their triumph.
Dermot, L. (2015). The Past Today. 3rd ed. [ebook] Dublin: Gill Education is an imprint of M.H. Gill & Co., pp.22-24. Available at:
http://www.gilleducation.ie/AcuCustom/Sitename/DAM/087/The_Past_Today_3rd_Edition_-_Look_Inside_Sample.pdf [Accessed 18
Aug. 2019].

Antonio Pigafetta First Voyage around the world by Magellan (1518-1521) pg. 23-48