Butuan (historical polity)
Butuan, also called the Rajahnate of Butuan and the Kingdom of Butuan (Filipino: Kaharian ng Butuan; Butuanon: Gingharian hong Butuan; Cebuano: Gingharian sa Butuan; Chinese: 蒲端國; pinyin: Púduānguó), was a precolonial Bisaya polity (lungsod) centered around northeastern Mindanao island in present-day Butuan, Philippines. It was known for its gold mining, gold jewelry and other wares, and its extensive trade network across maritime Southeast Asia and elsewhere. Over its long history the lungsod had direct trading relationships with the ancient civilizations of China, Champa, Đại Việt, Pon-i (Brunei), Srivijaya, Majapahit, Kambuja, and even Persia as well as areas now comprised in Thailand.
Ancient Butuan But'ban | |||||||||
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| Before 1001–1597 | |||||||||
Map of the Rajahnate of Butuan in 1521, with Butuan proper (colored dark brown), its controlled territories (brown), and territories under its influence (light brown). | |||||||||
| Capital | Butuan | ||||||||
| Common languages | Butuanon, Old Malay, other Visayan languages | ||||||||
| Religion | Hinduism, Buddhism and animism | ||||||||
| Government | Monarchy | ||||||||
| History | |||||||||
• Established | Before 1001 | ||||||||
• First historical reference by Song dynasty records | 1001 | ||||||||
• Blood compact with Ferdinand Magellan | 31 March 1521 | ||||||||
• Christianization of the polity under Silongan | 1567 | ||||||||
• Area conquered by Spain | 8 September 1597 | ||||||||
| Currency | Piloncitos, barter rings | ||||||||
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| Today part of | Philippines | ||||||||
| Part of a series on the |
| Pre-colonial history of the Philippines |
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| See also: History of the Philippines |
The balangay (large outrigger boats) that have been found along the east and west banks of the Libertad River (the old Agusan River) have revealed much about Butuan's history. As a result, Butuan is considered to have been a major trading port in the Caraga region during the precolonial era.