08/02/2026
Long before the Ming dynasty faced the notorious wokou pirates, Chinese historical records mention a group of fearsome maritime raiders called the Pāi-she-yeh (ęÆčč¶). These raiders originated from the pre-colonial Philippine archipelago, and scholars believe that the name is the Chinese transcription of "Bisaya," an ethnolinguistic group native to the Visayas in central Philippines.
Chinese sources from the Song dynasty (10thā13th century) describe the Pāi-she-yeh as highly skilled sailors and warriors who raided the southern Chinese coast. Chroniclers recorded their obsession with iron objectsāvessels, spoons, chopsticksāand even noted that they would strip iron from armored men. They attacked towns, seized ships, and captured goods, causing significant alarm among local officials. These raiders were described as tattooed and aggressive, and highly skilled in blade combatātraits that made them notoriously feared.
Their activities were recorded in official Chinese histories, including coastal defense reports and Song dynasty memorials, which warned of their raids and urged fortifications to protect southern ports such as Fujian and Guangdong. These accounts highlight the Pāi-she-yeh as one of the earliest recorded groups of ancient Filipino maritime raiders who impacted regional trade and security.
The Pāi-she-yeh serve as a reminder that the Philippine islands had established seafaring communities capable of projecting power far beyond their shores long before colonial contact.