Photo Gallery of Zamboanga's Historical Past

The above French artist went on a global cruise with a flotilla of French warships, capturing their experiences in his paintings.  This old painting entitled "Visit to the Sultan of Sulu" displays a French military regimen with their flag and drummer, formed in front of a meeting hall where the Sultan possibly held court.  The natives of the Sultanate of Sulu were historically referred to by the Spaniards as Moros or Mohammedans.  The image of Mohammedan culture is visible in the frenetic activity of horse-ridden spearmen who are shown clutching their fighting shields on one hand while the other holds their long spears, and their swords brandished to their side, while foot soldiers are shown equipped with similar armaments.  This aggressive activity surely was evident to the visiting French military, and provides us a rare look at what the Moro fighter was like then.  It is interesting to note the architectural detail of the house structure to the right of painting, showing wall construction made of close spaced vertical pieces that look very much like bamboo material, and reinforced equidistant horizontally.  If the material used is bamboo, then this structure would serve to be a "bullet-proof" shelter because of the well known defensive qualities of bamboo and its ability to withstand tremendous force against it without breaking.  The French visit to the island of Jolo, the seat of the Sulu Sultanate, would mean that they arrived at some sort of agreement with the Sultan that ultimately led the French to their Raid on the Spanish Fort of Zamboanga.

photo courtesy: National Library of Australia