Rajahnate of Cebu

The Rajahnate of Cebu was an ancient Filipino kingdom established in the 13th century, centered on the island of Cebu. Governed by a local ruler called a "Rajah," it was part of the larger network of Southeast Asian trade and political systems before Spanish colonization. The rajahnate engaged in trade with neighboring islands, China, and other Asian regions. It played a significant role in regional commerce and culture, serving as a key center of political and economic activity in the pre-colonial Philippine archipelago until the arrival of Spanish explorers in the 16th century, which marked its decline and integration into Spanish-controlled territory.