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BUTUAN HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The Balanghai (Butuan boats) which were
found along the east and west banks of Libertad
river reveal much about Butuan's history.
As early as 1001, Butuan was already in contact with
China. The Chinese Song Shih (Song History) has
recorded the first appearance of the Butuan Tributary
mission at Chinese Imperial Court on 17 March 1001 AD and
described Butuan (P'u-tuan) as a small country in the
sea that had a regular connection with Champa ( a kingdom
in Central Vietnam) and intermittent contact with
China.
The numerous jars/artifacts [Chinese (tenth to fifteenth centuries AD), Khmer/Cambodian
(ninth to tenth centuries AD), Thai (fourteenth to fifteenth centuries AD)
Pre-Thai Satingpra (900-1100 AD) and Haripunjaya (800-900
AD), pre-trade Vietnamese (eleventh to thirteenth centuries
AD) and Persian (ninth to tenth centuries AD)] dug
within the vicinities of Ambangan, Archeological Site, in Libertad
well attest to the historical account that Butuan traded with
the Chinese and Southeast Asia countries in the past.
The name Butuan already existed long before the Spanish
conquistadores arrived in the Philippine archipelago.
Evidence of this is the discovery of a rhinocerous
ivory seal with design carved in ancient Javanese or
early kawi script (used around the 10th century AD )
which, according to a Dutch scholar, was deciphered
as But-wan. It is said that this artifact
was then used to signify the origin of goods
during the ancient times.
Reference:
Patterns of the Past: The Ethno Archeology of Butuan
by Margarita R. Cembrano
In 1579, Butuan was referred to as a
region on the same level as the "province of Mindanao,"
(i.e., the Cotabato-Lanao area) by Benito de Mendiola, notary
of the Spanish fleet sent to subdue southern Philippines.
The historian Fray Luis de Jesus did the same in 1681, writing
that: "Our religious (the Recollect Fathers) are preaching
in the province of Butuan..."
By the latter part of the Spanish Colonialization period,
at about 1850, Butuan was described thus : The poblacion
was situated along the Butuan River, one-and-a-half
legua from Butuan Bay. It had as barrios the settlements
of Tubay, Nasipit, Linao, Gibong and Talacogon, together
with those that would later comprise the whole province
of Agusan.
When the province of Agusan was created in 1907, it was
composed of the sub-provinces of Butuan and Bukidnon.
Reference:
Butuan Through the Ages
by Dionisio A. Sy
After the Second World War, political/economic life
in Agusan Province started to normalize. Then-Congressman
Marcos M. Calo filed a bill creating the City of Butuan which
was passed by both Houses of Congress and became Republic
Act 523 on August 2, 1950. Thus, Butuan City was born .
Reference:
A Simple Man and His Destiny
by Guillermo R. Sanchez
The name "Butuan" has two significant roots, which are
also the basic components of our native and pleasing
culture - the flesh and spirit, the bread and the word,
the economics and religion of the BUTUANS.
- 1.) "BUTWA" - meaning, APPEAR : COME OUT (esp. from
the sea or river)
- " BUTWAAN" - "meaning, A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE FIND EACH
OTHER, A CORRIDOR, A CIVIC /TRADE CENTER.
- "BUTUWA'N " - That is how it was pronounced.
- "BUTUAN " - That is how it was heard and written.
- "BUTWA' NONS (BUTUANONS) - They are the lumad of the
ancient kingdom of Raia Kalambu, their children and
their children's children.
Most likely, the name emerged as the primitive
socioeconomic activities transpired and progressed around
the riverbank and seashore, which eventually became the
center of civilization in northeastern Mindanao. The
geo-political features of Butuan area where the river
that flows to the storm - free bay served as a gate -
way to the world and an entrance into the depths of
central Mindanao was just perfect then trade and commerce.
As compiled and written by:
Butuan Historical Research Group
Also a page that might be of interest is available here as well http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Cyprus/8446/stories.html
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