ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

History of the Philippines (pre-1521)

Before the Philippines was "discovered" by Europeans in 1521, many different tribes and communities lived on the islands. They had their own unique cultures, traditions, and languages. They mainly relied on farming and fishing to survive. Some tribes would trade with others or even work together to protect themselves from invaders.

There were also different kingdoms on the islands, each with their own rulers and government systems. Some of the notable kingdoms were the Kingdom of Tondo, the Kingdom of Maynila, the Kingdom of Butuan, and the Champa Kingdom.

These kingdoms were known for their wealth and power, and they would have important trading relationships with other kingdoms in Southeast Asia and China. They would trade crops, textiles, and other goods for spices, porcelain, and other luxury items.

Some of the tribes and kingdoms had conflicts with each other, but they also had peaceful relationships through trade and intermarriage. Overall, the pre-1521 history of the Philippines was a diverse and complex tapestry of different cultures and communities, each with their own unique history and contributions to society.