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<img src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-19/sulu-people.webp" alt="The People of Sulu" loading="lazy" />
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(The chieftains of Sulu, from The Philippine Islands (c. 1899))
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During the fourteenth century, Samals and Bajaos from Johore immigrated in large numbers to the coasts of Sulu, where their descendants remain. The hill people, or Sulus proper, although outnumbered, held their own fairly well against the newcomers and took many of them captive. Moros from Mindanao, 

especially from Lanao, also came as immigrants. 


Even prior to the advent of Magellan, Sulu pirates were the terror of the Visayas and Luzon. They held slaves, who were taken as captives or received as 

tribute, and these slaves were assimilated into the bulk of the population of Sulu. 


In the year 1380, Makdum, a noted Arabian judge, introduced the Islam throughout the Sulu Archipelago. He built a mosque at Tubig-Indangan, on 

the island of Simunul. He died at Sibutu, where the people still venerate his grave. Later, about the year 1390, Raja Baguinda arrived at Buansa and 

successfully continued the work of Makdum, making himself ruler. It is said that he brought writh him a pair of elephants, the ancestors of a herd long since 

exterminated that once roamed wild in Jolo. From the time of Baguinda, the hill people the Buranum - were called Sulus. 


The year 1450 was marked by the arrival of Abu Bakr, a Muslim missionary. He married Baguinda's daughter, Paramisuli, and on his father-

in-law's death succeeded him as religious authority, later proclaiming himself sultan. 


Abu Bakr divided the land into the political districts of Parang, Pansul, Lati, Gitung, and Lu-uk, appointing a panglima (next to a datu in rank) as head of 

each district. He also promulgated laws which furnished a foundation for the work of his successors. Abu Bakr was succeeded by his children and 

grandchildren, and the sultanate was regularly organized.

During the reign of the sixth sultan, Spanish Governor-general Francisco De Sande sent an expedition headed by Captain E. R. de Figueroa against Sulu, which 

reached the town of Jolo in June, 1578. With this expedition began a period of warfare between Sulu and Spain, 

which was to last for 300 years. De Sande gave as his principal reason for opening hostilities against the Sulus the desire to convert them to Christianity. 

There were, however, other motives, such as the reduction of the people, who were enjoying an independent government, to vassalage; exaction of tribute; and 

stopping piracy. 


The history of Sulu from the time of De Sande to the occupation by the Americans consisted mainly in successive raids by the Sulus on different parts of the 

Philippine Archipelago, in expeditions by the Spaniards against the Sulus, in reprisals, confiscation of property, and taking slaves, and in the making of 

treaties which were more commonly broken than observed. In 1599 Cebu, Negros, and Panay wre plundered by Moros. In 1602 an expedition against Jolo failed 

after more than three months of fighting. The sultan for the time being remained "king of the land and lord of the seas." 


On January 1, 1638, General S. H. de Corcuera arrived at Jolo with some 80 vessels and about 2000 soldiers, Spanish and Filipino. He was resolved to occupy 

Jolo, and he succeeded in his purpose. Sultan Bungsu offered a fierce resistance, having fortified the town strongly. For the first time the Sulus 

experienced a defeat. But the Spanish sphere of action was not extended far beyond Jolo, and when the Chinese adventurer Koxinga threatened a powerful 

descent upon Manila, the Spaniards withdrew their garrison. The town was evacuated on April 14, 1646 after a treaty had been made between Sulus and the 

Spaniards. This treaty was in force for only a short time. 


Sultan Bungsu was succeeded by Nasirud Din II and Salahud Din Karamat, during whose reigns the Sulus made many raids, visiting almost all parts of the 

Visayas and Luzon. In 1663 Zamboanga, which had been established as an outpost against the Moros, was evacuated by the Spaniards, who reoccupied it in 1718. 

Karamat was followed by Shahabud Din, Mustafa Shafiud Din, Badarud Din I, Nasarud Din III, and Alimud Din I. 


In 1737, Alimud Din I ratified a treaty of "permanent peace and alliance" with Governor-general F. Valdes y Tamon. He was one of the strongest and best of sultans, wielding considerable influence over his people, introducing reforms, observing the terms of the treat faithfully, and suppressing piracy. He had 

parts of the Koran translated into Sulu, advocated education, issued money, formed a small army, and undertook to create a navy.

The Power of Sulu - A Brief History of the Throne of Sulu