What are the contributions of Malay in Philippine culture?

Answer 1

Malay, is basically the backboard of Filipino culture. For this was the predominant culture of pre-colonial Philippines. You see, the Malays contributed the same exact things as the Spanish did. In fact, Malay and Spanish are probably the highest influences of Filipino culture. They introduced language, food, religion and architecture. I'll explain each.

Language

Although, the Malay language (Bahasa Melayu) is no longer the national language of the Philippines. However, traces of an Old Malay language in the Philippines are found showing evidence that the pre-colonial Filipinos did speak Malay. Although Malay, was mostly spoken in Visayas and Mindanao by the aristocrats. As only the rulers and their families were ethnic Malays. (Again, just like the Spanish, only the ruling class spoke the language). The other Filipinos, were natives speaking their own native dialects. Lapu Lapu, was a Malay soldier who killed the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. So, just like Spanish; Malay is no longer an official language. But, the Tagalog/Filipino language does contain A LOT of Malay and Spanish cognates. This isn't a new thing either, Malay and Tagalog have long had cognates for a long time. Such as anak (son), puti (white), balik (back/return), lima/limang (white), agung (gong) and langit (heaven/sky). There's much more cognates than this. Also, Tagalog and Malay belong to the Austronesian languages. Bahasa Indonesia, the Indonesian form of Malay however is tought as a foreign language in Philippine schools.

Religion

The Malays with the help of Arab traders, brought Islam to the Philippines. Parts of southern Philippines and northern Malaysia were once part of the sultanate of Brunei. Islam, spread from southern Philippines all the way up into what is now Manila. Prior to the arrival of Islam, Filipinos were Buddhists, Animists and Hindus. The Philippines became an Islamic state, and for the most part much of Philippine territory became Malay and Arab Empires. Which explains Old Malay. In the 1500s, the Spanish came and brought Catholicism to the islands converting some 90% of the Filipinos. But 5-10% of Filipinos are still Muslims. Although Filipinos today are not considered ethnic Malays, but their origins are ethnic Malays.

Food

Because of the Philippine's former existance as a Malay-dominated empire; a lot of Filipino cuisine bears a lot of resemlance to Malaysian cuisine. Just like Malay cuisine, rice is served with every Filipino meal. Filipinos eat with their hands, just like Malays do. Although since most Filipinos are no longer Muslim, Filipinos can eat with either hands (Malays eat with right). Although the use of utensils has creeped itself into Filipino cuisine. The uses of coconut milk, peanut butter sauce and curry are also part of Philippine cuisine as they are of Malaysian or Indonesian-Malay food. Satay, is popular Malay-style kabobs. Made of grilled meats and seafoods on skewers. Satay is popular in the Philippines. Since Filipinos are no longer Muslims, pork is also added as a meat in satay. Fish balls are one of the most popular types of satay in the Philippines.

Architecture

Ancient Filipino architecture, influenced and was influenced by Malay architecture. Although, unfortunately a lot of the old Malay style buildings in the Philippines no longer stand. But there are still a few, that the government is trying to preserve to the best of their ability. Because Malay architecture is made of wood. Most of the old Malay houses in the Philippines can be found in Visayas and Mindanao.

In fact, if you compare what the Malays and Spanish did, you'll find that they did basically the exact same thing.

Btw..for the people who think that Filipinos came from Malays you are DEAD WRONG. Malays came from China, Taiwan, Philippines and then to Borneo. So the Malays were already a different (but identical) ethnicity when they reached the Philippines.