HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY OF MORO RAIDS IN BILIRAN PROVINCE: MAPPING VULNERABLE COASTAL SETTLEMENTS AND DEFENSIVE LANDSCAPES, 1750–1850
Description
This study employed a Historical-Geographical Research Design to investigate the spatial patterns of Moro raids and the development of defensive landscapes in Biliran Province between 1750 and 1850. The research integrated historical inquiry and geographical analysis to reconstruct the relationship between maritime threats, settlement vulnerability, and community responses during the Spanish colonial period. Data were collected from a variety of primary and secondary sources, including archival documents, Spanish colonial records, historical maps, church archives, local histories, oral traditions, and scholarly publications. To ensure the validity and reliability of historical evidence, external criticism was used to verify the authenticity of sources, while internal criticism was applied to assess their accuracy and credibility. Historical locations associated with Moro raids, maritime routes, and defensive structures such as watchtowers and lookout points were identified and analyzed through GIS-assisted mapping and spatial reconstruction techniques. The data were further examined using thematic analysis, historical interpretation, and spatial analysis to determine patterns of vulnerability and adaptation among coastal communities. Through this approach, the study reconstructed Biliran’s historical defensive landscape and provided a deeper understanding of how geography influenced the occurrence of Moro raids and the development of local defense systems.
Files
Steps to reproduce
The study employed a Historical-Geographical Research Design utilizing GIS-assisted historical reconstruction to examine the spatial distribution of Moro raids and defensive landscapes in Biliran Province from 1750 to 1850. This design combined historical research methods with geographical analysis to reconstruct past events, identify vulnerable coastal settlements, and map the locations of watchtowers and other defensive structures. Through the integration of historical documents, maps, archival records, and spatial data, the study analyzed how geographic factors influenced the occurrence of Moro raids and shaped community responses. The GIS-assisted approach enabled the visualization and interpretation of historical patterns, providing a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between maritime routes, settlement vulnerability, and the development of defensive landscapes in Biliran Province.
Institutions
- Biliran Province State UniversityEastern Visayas, Naval