If Timothy Jay Schwab who is The God Culture were an object he would be a grabber. That's one of those tools people use to pick up trash. It looks like this:
That is to say Tim is a reacher. He is reaching for every piece of insignificant garbage he can find and putting in his bag like it's a jewel while ignoring all the real treasure as if it was so much brass and pyrite. This time he has latched onto the travelogue of an Italian explorer named Giovanni Francesco Gemelli Careri who speaks of "the musk of Los Lequios." Tim actually has three quotes from this guy and what we are going to see is Tim immediately misinterprets the man. In fact none of these citations say what Tim claims they say.
🧩 The Three References to Los Lequios
1. Geographical Adjacency (Islands “one after the other”)
“…there are the whiskers and small Island of the Babuyanes, up to the Hermosa Island and the Lequios…”
Here, Lequios is placed directly beyond the Babuyanes, forming a chain that stops short of Formosa (Hermosa). No mention is made of Batanes or Taiwan, but their conspicuous absence only strengthens the case: if Ryukyu were meant, why not mention the massive island of Formosa that lies directly in the way?
This version of Lequios lives in the immediate northern fringe of Luzon, not in Okinawa.
Gemilli says there are Islands which reach from Northern Luzon (that's the Babuyanes), to Formosa, and then up to the Lequios Islands. Tim, with his infinite wisdom and superior geographic knowledge says there is no mention of Taiwan! Does he not know that Formosa is Taiwan? Tim also writes, "Why not mention the massive island of Formosa that lies directly in the way?" Did Tim forget he himself interprets Hermosa as Formosa. It's right there in the text. It's not absent at all. Maybe this is a typo and he meant "why mention the massive island of Formosa?" Either way it's nonsensical.
Tim also says the Lequios Islands form "a chain that stops short of Formosa." That is not what Gemelli writes. He says these small islands, the Babuyanes, reach up to Formosa and the Lequios Islands. He is lumping Formosa, TAIWAN, together with the Lequios Islands. Indeed, Taiwan was often referred to as Lequio Pequeño.
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| https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nyp.33433000027304&seq=119&q1=lequios |
BABUYANES, Gemelli acquaints us, are little low Philippine Islands, beyond Cape Boneador, oppofite to New Segovia, at 8 Leag. dift. fr. it, & ftretching out to the Island Formofa and Lequios. In the neareft, which is conquered, are abt. 500 Natives that pay Tribute. It produces Wax, Ebony, Botatas, [perhaps Potatoes] Cocoas, Plantans, and other Things, for the Maintenance of the Inhabitants, and of certain Creatures called in the Country Language Babuyes, whence the Name of Babuyanes was derived.
Even this guy, Andrew Brice, gets it. Of course, unlike Tim, he does not have an agenda. Brice even mentions "500 natives that pay tribute" which is a very important detail as shall be seen.
Let's take a look at the translation of this text. Here is Tim's translation:
...From Luban forward, towards the Tramontana, there is no Island of Confidence: the Boxer's cape is just a little farther away, in front of the new Segovia, and eight leagues away, there are the whiskers and small Island of the Babuyanes, up to the Hermosa Island and the Lequios. In the first, which is closer and has been conquered, they will only pay tribute. It produces wax, ebony, sweet potatoes, palms, plantains, and other things, supported by the inhabitants and certain animals, called Babues, in the language of the country from which it came...
And here is Gemini's translation.
Beyond Luban, towards the North, no island of significance is seen: only after passing the Cape of the Boxer, opposite the new Segovia and eight leagues distant, extend the low and small Islands of the Babuyanes, up to the Island Hermosa and the Lequios. In the first one, which is the closest and conquered, there will be 500 tributaries. It produces wax, ebony, sweet potatoes, palms, plantains, and other things for the sustenance of the inhabitants and certain animals called Babuyes in the language of the country from which the name Babuyanes came.
We are only one citation in and Tim has already gotten it all wrong.
2. Definitive Cultural Geography: “Bordering the Babuyanes”
“…the other [islands] by Silvestri, who border on los Lequios…”
Here, Lequios is again presented as adjacent, not distant. The “Silvestri” (wild forest-dwelling peoples) are described as living in the northern Babuyan archipelago, placing Lequios just beyond that inhabited threshold — likely in the culturally distinct Batanes Islands. If Lequios border the Babuyan Islands, that ain't Ryukyu. Test it.
This is a travelogue of the Philippines by observation from one who is not participating in propaganda specifically in which Lequios is in the Northern Philippines period. The specifics of this logical progression include:
To the North of the Island of Manila (after mention of Isles in Visayas)
The specific capes of North Luzon by name
The distance from there to the Babuyan Isles with practically exact reference to this day
A progression to the North to The Lequios as Batanes and then, South Taiwan
Notice, Careri does not go to Ryukyu and this narrative cannot be massaged. The European, especially Jesuit, accounts that do so are not following the logical geography. This is what happens when a disassociated, educated gentleman simply reports what he observes proving contrary opinion propaganda, and nothing else. Also, by 1699, Japan, including Ryukyu was essentially a closed society that such a traveler would have difficulty entering.
Translated Text from the Original Italian from p. 59: [Read the actual page]
"...Of the other small islands, partly populated and partly uninhabited (but all known to the Indians, who go there to gather the fruit) it is not easy to make a detailed account: I will simply say in outline that opposite the island of Manila, on the northern side, between two capes, called Boxeador and Engaño (24 miles away) are the islands, called de los Babuyanes; the first is inhabited by Indians, tributary Christians; the other by Silvestri, who border on los Lequios; and the island of Formofa, on the western side. Before Paragua, opposite Manila, are three islands, called de los Calamianes; and then another eight or nine, all populated..."
In his first mention, it is evident something is awry with later maps and Jesuit accounts. The initial findings of the Portuguese and Spanish hold as evidentiary fact from this lawyer's report in 1699.
Keep in mind that Gemelli has already placed the Lequios Islands beyond Luzon near Formosa (TAIWAN). Tim says Gemelli did "not go to Ryukyu" because Japan was closed off by then. That is a non-sequitur. He is simply describing places. That does not mean he visited them. The place being described is the Babuaynes. Gemelli then mentions islands inhabited by Silvestri. Tim thinks that is Batanes. The Babuyan Islands are north of Luzon, followed by Batanes, and finally Formosa (TAIWAN.) To the east of Formosa lie the Lequios Islands which stretch out to Japan forming a northern border to Batanes and the Babuyan Islands.
Tim claims Gemelli wrote:
the other by Silvestri, who border on los Lequios; and the island of Formofa, on the western side
But did he write that? No. Notice the semi-colon after Lequios. That is not in the text.
So, where did Tim get the semi-colon? From the sidebar!
Of the other small islands, partly populated and partly uninhabited (but all known to the Indians, who go there to gather fruit), it's not easy to give a detailed account. I will simply say in outline that opposite the island of Manila, on the northern side, between two capes called Boxeador and Engaño (24 miles distant), are the islets named de los Babuyanes. The first is inhabited by tributary Christian Indians; the other by Silvestri, who border on los Lequios, and the island of Formosa, on the western side. Near Paragua, opposite Manila, are three islands called de los Calamianes; and then another eight or nine, all populated. Then, returning south, ninety miles distant from los Calamianes, opposite Caldera (point of Mindanao), are Taguima and Xolò, with other smaller ones around them.
That comma more directly links the Lequios and Formosa (TAIWAN) as bordering Batanes. If the Lequios Islands were any part of the Philippines Gemelli would not differentiate them from the Babuyan Islands or the Batanes or Silvestri.
Does Tim now think the Lequios Islands are either the Babuyan or Batanes islands? What happened to his whole bifurcated Luzon theory with House Lequios in the North and House Luçoes in the South? Gemelli does not support any theory Tim has about the Lequios Islands.
3. Trade and Aroma: “The Musk of Los Lequios”
“…the musk of Los Lequios…”
In the context of global luxury goods (diamonds from Golconda, cinnamon from Ceylon, porcelain from China), this line stands out. True musk — supposedly a secretion from the Himalayan musk deer — was rare and did not originate in Batanes in that sense. So what could “musk” from “Los Lequios” possibly be?
🌿 Enter Lagikuway: The "Father of Musk"
The answer may lie in Batanes ethnobotany. The Ivatan people cultivate a plant known as Lagikuway (Lagikway, Both Tag.) , a musky aromatic crushed for ritual and medicinal use, and revered in Arabic as the “father of musk” or "source of musk" (Dr. Stuart).
Native to Batanes (Barakue: "my boy", could this be named for Abel literally from the Land of Creation?)
Strong, musky scent especially from the seeds
Used in spiritual and healing practices
Culturally and commercially significant
Though in trade, the Himalayan Musk became famous, the source of ancient musk appears to be this plant instead
If Careri’s sources (likely drawing on Spanish-Dominican knowledge of Luzon and its northern peripheries) referred to this plant or its trade, then “the musk of Los Lequios” may not refer to a far-off deer secretion — but to a local botanical treasure, traded southward, and misidentified by European chroniclers unfamiliar with its source.
Also, let us remember in this era, Ryukyu was conquered and part of Japan. Not only was it not open to visitors, the listed trade from Japan is not that of Lequios, which is still separated in this mention clearly as the Philippines.
This section is all conjecture so it's not worth getting into great detail and attempting to discover what this "musk of Lequios" was. He even tosses in some nonsense linguistics attempting to connect this plant to Adam's son Abel. However, it is more than clear Tim gets it wrong. Here is his translation.
...OF THE GEMINI. 119 if we speak of Oriental countries, the diamonds of Golconda; the rubies, topazes, sapphires, and the precious cinnamon of Seilon; the pepper of Sammatra and Java; the cloves and nutmeg of the Moluccas; the pearls and carpets of Persia; the fine linen and cloths of Bengal; the camphor of Borneo; the Mengioy and ivory of Cambodia; the musk of Los Lequios; the linen, cloths, linens, and cotton blankets; the fine porcelain, and other rarities of China. When the trade with Japan flourished, two or three ships arrived every year; and they sold fine silver, amber, cloths of feta, chests, coffee, and tables of precious wood, beautifully varnished; in exchange for leather, wax, and fruit of the country....
"Of the Gemini?" What? Do you know what this means? It means Tim did a word search in this text for "Lequios" and instead of reading the whole context he copy/pasted what he saw in the sidebar into a translator and thought that's all there is to it. This is the same thing he did with the first and second citations.
But that's not all there is to it. This passage begins on the previous page and continues into the next. Here it is:
Regarding Manila, it was placed in such a location by the Author of Nature, in an equal space between the rich Kingdoms of the East and West, that it can be counted among the places of greatest traffic in the world. The Spanish, coming from the West, and the Portuguese, from the East, end their journey in the Moluccas Islands, which were under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Government. And because every middle usually partakes of the extremities, as that which connects them, the Philippines therefore gathers the best of both Indies.
One finds here the silver of Peru and New Spain; and speaking of the Eastern countries, the diamonds of Golconda; the rubies, topazes, sapphires, and precious cinnamon of Ceylon; the pepper of Sumatra and Java; the cloves and nutmeg of the Moluccas; the pearls and carpets of Persia; the fine linens and silk cloths of Bengal; the camphor of Borneo; the Mengioy and ivory of Cambodia; the musk of the Lequios; the silks, cloths, linens, and cotton blankets; the fine porcelain, and other rarities of China. When trade with Japan flourished, two or three vessels came from there every year, leaving finest silver, amber, silk cloths, chests, coffee, and tables of precious wood, excellently varnished, in exchange for leather, wax, and fruits of the country.
It can be seen how suitable Manila's location is for accumulating immense riches through merchandise, since a vessel that goes from there to Acapulco returns loaded with silver, earning up to four hundred percent. I, for my part, do not believe that there are more abundant Islands in the World. And indeed, where will one find mountains that sustain such a quantity of wild men with only the fruits and roots that trees and the land spontaneously yield? For they do nothing but hunt, and yet their number is ten times more than the subjects of the Spanish.
See the difference? In context this passage says Manila was a center of trade where many foreign riches were found. Among those foreign luxuries to be found in Manila was "the musk of the Lequios." That means whatever this musk was, it was not native to the Philippines. It is likely this musk was imported into the Lequios Islands for the express purpose of trading it with other nations. The Japanese were not entirely closed off as they did trade with the Dutch, the Chinese, and the Koreans. Ryukyu, while under Japanese dominion, was allowed to trade with the outside world as they also accepted Chinese claims of dominion.
In the spring of 1609, the Ryukyu kingdom 琉球王国 was defeated by an invasion by the Satsuma domain of Japan, ruled by the Shimazu 島津 family. King Shō Nei 尚寧 and major Ryukyuan officials were marched off to Satsuma as prisoners of war. In response to the daimyo’s report on the invasion, the Tokugawa bakufu recognized Satsuma’s control over Ryukyu. The Tokugawa authorities, thus, brought Ryukyu, a kingdom that had maintained tributary relations with Ming China since the latter half of the fourteenth century, within the political orbit of Tokugawa Japan. From then until 1879, when the Meiji government abolished the kingdom and annexed Ryukyu into Japan as Okinawa Prefecture, the Ryukyu kingdom accepted both Chinese and Japanese claims of suzerainty.
In the fifteenth century, Ryukyu, acquiring a huge stock of Chinese commodities through the tribute trade, actively developed a state-run transit trade with the countries of East and Southeast Asia. Because the Ming interdiction of seafaring resulted in the general suppression of Chinese maritime trade, Ryukyu could sell Chinese products in short supply to East and Southeast Asia, while delivering products from these other countries to the Ming empire. The kingdom’s main trading port was Naha. Commercial ships from East and Southeast Asia visited the port, and some seafarers settled there
Residents of Kumemura performed services such as interpretation, composing diplomatic documents in Chinese, building ships, and sailing, thus supporting Ryukyu’s diplomacy and trade not only with Ming China but also with Korea and other countries of Southeast Asia.
The Tokugawa World, pgs. 420-422
As the Ryukyuans navigated the complexities of Chinese and Japanese rule, this trade which began in the 15th century did not cease. Ryukyu was not completely closed off to the world. The Ming dynasty had suppressed Chinese maritime trade which facilitated Ryukyu's trade in Chinese goods to East and Southeast Asia. It is not unreasonable that this musk was exported from China to the Lequios Islands where it was either specially prepared or exported raw. Either way the last port of origin would have been the Lequios Islands which makes "the musk of the Lequios" an appropriate name.
As for the article Tim links to about Lagikuway, it says the Japanese use that plant to make paper.
In Japan, known as tororo aoi, the plant is used to make neri, a starchy substance used in making washi, a traditional Japanese paper.
The article says it is called tororo aoi in Japan. It's also called Ryukyu tororo aoi.
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| CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology by Umberto Quattrocchi, pg. 3 |
While it may not be native to Japan or the Ryukyu Islands it has been grown there for centuries to make paper.
Nowhere in the article Tim links is this plant said to be used for making musk.
Etymology: The genus name Abelmoschus derives from Arabic, meaning 'father of musk' or 'source of musk' referring to the scented seeds.
The seeds have a musky scent but the plant is used primarily for medicinal purposes. This plant is not the source of "the musk of los Lequios."
Elsewhere in this article Tim says:
We get it right in the end as true researchers go through such a process, sharing our work along the way, and I am proud of our team for stepping up with these blogs. It has been a learning experience I am proud to lead.
"We get it right in the end?" The God Culture made its official debut in 2017 and Tim still gets it wrong at every turn. Is Tim really proud to lead a bunch of bumbling stumblebums who do not even bother to read the context of a passage and then pass that off as research? He is not leading a team, he is the ringmaster of a circus.
Tomé Pires, Duarte Barbosa, Documento 98, Fernando Pinto, and the many references in The Philippine Islands series all point to the Lequios Islands being in the north near Japan. Those are the jewels Tim is ignoring. It's not that Careri's book is garbage, it's that Tim is ignoring major primary sources for those that are obscure. There is no need to go sifting for obscure records that allegedly point to the Lequios Islands being in the Philippines. Not a single obscure record Tim has cited, be it the story of three shipwrecked Lequian Indians or the travelogue of Giovanni Francesco Gemelli Careri, prove the Lequios Islands are the Philippines. What new source will Tim next twist for his purpose? There is no "true research" going on here. All of Tim's "research" has been proven to be "a farrago of nonsense that is contravened by a multitude of eyewitness accounts, inconvenient facts, and simple common sense."
The only positive thing that can be said about this article is Tim has finally provided a link to his sources as well as providing screenshots. However, he still has the alleged and unverifiable quotes about the Jesuits altering maps posted in the article which have no page numbers, no links, and no screenshots. It's always one step forward and two steps back with Timothy Jay Schwab who is The God Culture.
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