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El Filibusterismo · Chapter
Glossary explained
This chapter provides a glossary of Tagalog and Spanish terms used throughout the novel, defining cultural, social, and political concepts relevant to the Philippine setting under Spanish colonial rule.
What happens
This chapter provides a glossary of Tagalog and Spanish terms used throughout the novel, defining cultural, social, and political concepts relevant to the Philippine setting under Spanish colonial rule.
Key passages
“filibuster A native of the Philippines who was accused of advocating their separation from Spain.”
A Filipino accused of promoting independence from Spain.
Defines a key political accusation in the novel's context.
“Indian The Spanish designation for the Christianized Malay of the Philippines was indio (Indian), a term used rather contemptuously, the name 'Filipino' being generally applied in a restricted sense to the children of Spaniards born in the Islands.”
The Spanish used 'Indian' contemptuously for Christianized Malays, while 'Filipino' was reserved for those of Spanish descent born in the islands.
Highlights colonial racial distinctions.