Alipin

The term alipin refers to the lowest social class among the various cultures of the Philippines before the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th and 17th centuries. The closest and most common translation of the word is "servant" or "slave", as opposed to the higher classes of the "Timawa" (Freemen) and the "Maginoo" (Noblemen).

As a social class, "alipin" had subclasses as well, documented by numerous Spanish historians, who took note of the local social norms as the Spanish conquest of the Philippines began.

*"Aliping Namamahay" refers to an "alipin" that has his own house, which usually sits on the property of the person whom he serves.

*"Aliping Sagigilid" refers to an "alipin" without a house and whose existence is completely dependent on the graces of the person whom he serves.

While the "alipin" does, indeed, serve another person, Scott notes that translating the term as "slave" may not be justified. Documented observations from the 17th century indicate that there may be significant differences between the Western concept of "slave" and the Pre-hispanic Filipino concept of "alipin".

References

*Barangay: Sixteenth Century Philippine Culture and Society by William Henry Scott