Commercial treaties and political transformation in Sulu and Southeast Asian littorals, c. 1830–1840

Key Points

• The article aims to analyze an economic treaty between Spain and the Sulu Sultanate, focusing on its broader political and economic impacts.
• Analysed the Tausug and Spanish versions of the treaty alongside archival sources.
• Explored the roles of marginalized groups such as the Sama and Chinese within the treaty's context.
• Situates the treaty within the economic backdrop of the declining Spanish control in the Philippines.
• The treaty underscored the significant role of indigenous agency beyond formal signatories in shaping political transformations.
• Fresh insights were provided regarding the diplomatic practices and negotiations involved in the Sulu economy.
• The study highlighted how regional networks influenced the commercial dynamics in Southeast Asia's Sulu Zone.

Abstract