Fact #6: From Srivijayan to Majapahit, They Were Silent Assimilators of the Land of Ophir

6. The Srivijayan Empire was the later silent assimilator of this land of Ophir bringing with them their Hindu-Malayan culture. This leads to the gradual banishment of the remnants of the Maharlikan people (Ylayas) and their culture as they gradually were assimilated into the Hindu-Malayan culture. Those who maintained the Muian ways found the comfort of nature in the hinterlands. The indigenous people (in the Philippines) are now their living descendants.

Noted here that the Srivijayan Empire flourished more or less between 8th to 12th century CE (Common Era). Although it is not clear but most probably the root of the Srivijayan Empire might have started to flourish and gain notoriety as early as the 5th century around present-day Palembang, Sumatra. The land of Ophir on the other hand was a biblical name of that isles afar off mentioned in the Bible dating back to the time of King Solomon of Israel around 970 BC - 931 BC. Ophir was undisputedly rich of gold where the king of Israel obtained by the ships. Most of those who tried to locate the physical Ophir did find their ways all the way to the present day Philippine Archipelago. It has to be underlined therein that the biblical land of Ophir is the present day Philippine Islands rich of gold the Srivijayan Empire was so obsessed to have gained control of including its wealth and treasure.

Once again, bear in mind for a while that prior to the advent of the Hindu-Malayan culture of the Srivijayan-Majapahit Empire, the Ylayan civilization did flourish peacefully and abundantly in terms of mercantile with foreign traders, serene annual atmospheric condition, blissful health, great wealth, bountiful harvest and prosperity in their life in general. It was at this period when great volumes of gold and almaciga or almug (algum) tree (Scientific Name: Igathis philippinensis) were shipped out for the construction of King Solomon's temple. In short, it was their "golden age" as regarded by the forthcoming empire.

Moreover, the mere fact that I used the word "assimilator" in the heading is because there was no resistance from them as they have welcomed the new merchant-occupants (Srivijayan Empire) with open arms in the name of mutual respect and co-existence. Nevertheless, due to their contrasting cultural orientations, the atmosphere and the deep feeling of ethnocentrism forced the Ylayas to find comfort in the mountains and forests.

It might be unfair at this moment to purport that some of the indigenous people in the Philippines, who were fearsome warriors and practiced head-hunting, like the Kalingas of the Kalinga Province, did not evolve from the Ylayan blood but from the Srivijayan culture. This assessment finds reference to the existence of Kalinga Kingdom in ancient east India approximately 265 BCE. The region was scene of the bloody Kalinga War fought by Ashoka of the Maurya Empire.