Archipiélagos de ultramar: Filibusterismo and Extended Colonialism in the Caribbean and the Philippines

Abstract

In this chapter, I explore the different inflections of filibusterismo as it is developed in imperial/colonial relations during the second half of the nineteenth century. José Rizal’s own definition of filibustero in his first novel Noli me Tangere is an excellent point of departure for the reflection I would like to propose here:¹

Según decían el telegrafista y el directorcillo, plibestiro dicho por un cristiano, un cura o un español a otro cristiano como nosotros parece santusdeus con requimiternam, si te Ilaman una vez plibestiero, ya puedes confesarte y pagar tus deudas pues no te queda más remedio que dejarte ahorcar.

(2007c, 237)

[According to the telegraph operator and the assistant dirrector, plibestiro [sub-versive] said by a Christian, a priest or a Spaniard to another Christian like us, is like a santusdeus with requimiternam (prayers for the dead): once they brand you a plibustiero [subversive], you mights as well confess your sins and pay your debts, ‘cause the only thing left for you is hanging.]

(2006, 237)