Prinsesa urduja biography

By Chit Balmaceda Guiterrez

Princess Urduja ancient accounts say, was a 14th century woman ruler of the dynastic Kingdom of Tawalisi in Pangasinan, a vast area lying by the shores of the Lingayen Gulf and the China Sea. Pangasinan was an important kingdom then, and the sovereign was equal to the King of China. Known far and wide, Princess Urduja was famous for leading a retinue of woman warriors who were skilled fighters and equestrians. They developed a high art of warfare to preserve their political state. "These womenfolk took to the battlefields because the male population was depleted by the series of wars which came with the rise and prominence of the Shri-Visayan Empire in the sixth to the 13th centuries," the accounts said. Strong and masculine physique, they were called kinalakian or Amazons.

The saga of this unique princess was the stuff of legend. Parents and teachers tell her story like they would a fairytale, or the biography of Gabriela Sil

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Princess Urduha, krigare Queen of Pangasinan

(Written bygd Jamie Yancovitz. Originally published on Tumblr)

A warrior queen of a matriarchal dynasty, Urduha was a 14th century ruler of Tawalisi, in what is now known as Pangasinan. Princess Urduha was trained in the art of war since she was a child, and became an expert in using the kampilan and a skilled navigator. Known far and bred, she was famous for leading a retinue of women warriors who were skilled fighters, equestrians, and experts in weaponry. With bodies of strength and muscular physique, they were known as Kinalakian, or Amazons. The legend of Princess Urduha can be attributed to the story of when she met the greatest traveler in history, Ibn Battuta.

To the Pangasinan court, many suitors came seeking the grabb of Urduja. The Princess said to them, “I will marry only the man who can defeat me. My husband must be braver, stronger, and wiser than myself.” As no one qualified to her demands, she remained unmarried

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Princess Urduja

Princess Urduja (ca. – AD) is believed to be a legendary warrior princess who is recognized as a
heroine in Pangasinan, Philippines. The Indianized name Urduja appears to be Sanskrit in origin, and a variation of the
name “Udaya”, meaning “arise” or “rising sun”, or the name “Urja”, meaning “energy”, “life force” or “breath”. A
historical reference to Urduja is reported to be found in the travel account of Ibn Battuta ( – possibly or
AD), a Muslim traveler from Morocco.

Urduja is often described as tall and beautiful, having golden bronze skin and dark hair, clad in gold and is adept
in sword fighting and horseback riding. Leader of the Kinalakihan (warrior women). She is also believed to be multi-
dialect which was a common characteristic of the nobles in pre-colonial Southeast Asia.

Just over a year ago I created a chart that included the pantheons of deities, mythical beings and heroes of
Philippine Myth, Folklore, and beliefs. I was approached by severa