What is a Datu, a Rajah, and a Lakan? (Philippine Royalty)

In today’s raw vlog, I’ll be answering one of the most frequently asked questions I get from many of you, “What’s the Difference between a Datu, a Raja and a Lakan?” (Ano ang ipinagkaiba ng isang Datu sa isang Rajah at sa isang Lakan?). What are the key distinctions between these three titles used by pre-colonial rulers (and present-day leaders) in the Philippines?

2:57 - What is a Datu?
5:45 - Modern Day Politics Comparison
6:45 - What is a Rajah?
8:00 - What is a Lakan?
12:05 - Game of Thrones Comparison (SPOILER ALERT!)

Salámat! ❤️💛💚
#KnowHistoryKnowSelf #KnowYourRoots

About the Bai Bibyaon Ligkayan Bigkay & the Indigenous Lumad:

Artworks by:
Carlos "Botong” Francisco
Abdhy.Art
James Claridades (Squeegool)
Raph Herrera Lomotan
Seichi Unemoto
Agui Naldo (Dodjie Aguinaldo)
Amiel Guanlao

About Kirby:
Kirby Pábalan-Táyag Aráullo is a renowned Filipino culture bearer and currently the National Coordinator for Culture and Heritage for NAFCON (National Alliance for Filipino Concerns). He is a Dátû and Lakan by blood, a direct descendant of the last Paramount Kings of Luzon (of both Lakandúlâ of Tondo and Rája Matandá of Maynílâ, who are also of the Sultans of Sulu and Brunei, and of the ancient Mahārājas of the Majapahit Empire). Dátû Kirby's upbringing exposed him to the contradicting worlds of traditional politics and grassroots activism.

Kirby is the co-founder and former Director of Operations for the Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies at the University of California, Davis, and has been teaching Filipino people’s history and writing in indigenous Philippine scripts (Baybayin & Kulitan) for over a decade. An alumnus of UC Davis, Kirby has also started his graduate studies in the field of history at Harvard University, and on International Human Rights Law at the Université catholique de Louvain in Belgium. He is a visiting professor at various colleges in the Philippines and a research fellow with Sínúpan Singsing, a publicly-funded institute for indigenous advocacy and the study of Kapampángan language, history, and culture.

Dátû Kirby is well-rooted in his culture and passionate about his heritage; he strives to decolonize Philippine history and democratize Ethnic Studies through knowledge and play.

[KirbyAraullo]

The TAGALOG version of this video will be posted tomorrow! Tune in 😉

[brutalmadness]

Damn, our society was sophisticated even before spanish came. This is probably the reason why I am always fascinated to learn more about pre-colonial history. Maharlika, madirigma, timawa, aliping namamahay and my most favorite Aliping saguiguilid!

[easyislander]

I think the better analogy would be feudal Japan. Datu are the feudal lords or a Daimyo. The Raja is the Shogun or the warrior king. And the Lakan is the emperor, who was granted a leadership based on blood lineage to the Gods and Goddesses who created Japan.

[chillingsaga]

So sad that just this day i learned so much about what 'history' truly is. But on the other hand it's so exciting to know who u really are as Filipino. Thank u and keep educating sir.. Love from Southern Leyte❤. I hope to see and have chat or know local historian here in Southern Leyte.

[estongyamot]

all my elementary history knowledge .... shattered ... tnx mate ... your doing a fine service ... our curriculum is in need of update

[Kulintronica]

Your new studio is coming together very nicely! My family and all of our gongs moved recently too so I can really relate to what you must be going through. Thank you for this needed explanation of terminology. It reminds me of the lake in Meranao country that is referred to today as “Lake Lanao, ” which literally is saying lake lake. Mikitiks!

[lanzfarnazo]

I like the way you compare our ancient system of goverment to the Game of Thrones..

It's called the Feudal System

[nabztraveldiaries]

Thank you so much! I love learning through you about my ancestors, as it is very difficult for me to do so having grown up as a half-blood in Germany...

[nightbro]

Question lang kuya po.

Didn't the term hari a misconception brought about by the spanish translators at the time and that the Datus were rulers of bayans. While Lakans were the paramount rulers of the Datu. My question would be if the term Hari or king would be a wrong way to describe them? As this term at the time be referred to the kings outside of the nation like those in china and Spain.

Also I would like to learn about fortifications of pre colonial philippine. How they were constructed and how they were used. I've heard that there were castles at those times but, I would like to know more about the architecture of different tribes and bayans at the time.

Also thank you for making quality videos about the philippine I really admire your comitment to educating our fellow countrymen and plus the philippine at that time is pretty dupe and interesting. Like raids to china, being mercenaries and also a pretty fun and unique culture that I wish would be touched more in school.

[martycanete]

We bisaya people, we also use sri Rajah humabon, and Sri balintawak

[Averroes_]

Datu in Malaysia is spelled differently.

In Malaysia, there are three versions. Though, people with the rank doesn't necessarily have royal ties. People get these ranks are mostly businessmen and politicians. However nowadays, people can buy these ranks to increase their credibility to their clients and as a show off. It's Honourable if the Sultan himself awards this title instead, based on your years of experience and hardwork dedication.

1) Dato' is for people getting that rank for their exemplary service in either one of the 13 States in Malaysia.

2) Datuk is also a rank given for their exemplary service, but only in the Federal Territories of Malaysia.

3) Atuk means grandfather or old men, but there are people who say Datuk. Maybe people say Datuk because of mispronounciation or y'know, children as they grow up tend to mispronounce things and when they become adults, they still call their grandfather Datuk, but this is in extreme rare cases.

[MJay]

Very well explained. You so great research before producing vlog. In Sanskrit Raja means King, Datha means landlord or leader who feed his people. Love from 🇮🇳🇵🇭

[ksorangeeee]

I'm now curious of Mindanao's royal system

[ConstellationOrion]

Datu- ruler Rajah-king/paramount king Lakan-Divine King

[bronx]

I appreciate what you are doing. More power to you!

[alien-shark]

Thank you! This was extremely helpful with my research! Subscribed!

[Istorahsan]

Almost all of the title are comparable to Malaysia/Indonesia feudal system.

[jassenjassejassjasja]

Hi Im so amazed that you were a datu.. may datu pa pala hanggang ngayon, I'm just researching about datus and rajah and nakita ko ito very educational po!! tha k youu. also abangan ko po yung about sa philippine indigenous writing scripts, I really love writing suyat - baybayin, hanunuo, tagbanwa and buhid

[jaejaw]

Hello po Kuya Kirby! I'm so thankful na nahanap ko channel mo. I am actually planning to write a fictional story based on Pre-Colonial Philippines history but I can't find any more info abt it here as internet. I'll be binge-watching your videos starting today at sana po makagawa rin kayo ng vid about as mga architectural designs ng pre-colonial Philippines palaces o kung ano man and tawag nila dyan. Stay safe po and Thank you!

[florenzryansotelo]

Hi Kirby! Another eye opener you have there. Thank you for this video.
I have some questions:
1. How does one become a Datu in pre-Hispanic Philippines?
2. If the Paramount Datus of Manila where Lakans (devine kings), to what deity did they come from? They were descendants of the Sultan of Borneo, right?
3. What was the name of the person who has the title of Lakan Dula of Tondo during the Spanish conquest manila?