oripun
oripún with stress marks
precolonial Visayan debt-servant
Usage Note
Oripun is a historical term from Visayan languages referring to a person who entered debt bondage in precolonial Philippine society. Oripun were not chattel slaves — their status was tied to unpaid debts and could be resolved — and the word is now used mainly in academic and historical contexts.
Examples
" Mahirap ang buhay ng oripun. "
Natural Translation
The life of a debt-servant was hard.
Literal Translation
Hard the life of debt-servant.
" Ang mga oripun ay bahagi ng sinaunang lipunan. "
Natural Translation
The debt-servants were part of the ancient society.
Literal Translation
The debt-servants are part of ancient society.
" Hindi tulad ng alipin sa ibang bansa, ang oripun ay maaaring makalaya kapag nabayaran na ang kanyang utang. "
Natural Translation
Unlike a slave in other countries, a debt-servant could be freed once his debt was paid.
Literal Translation
Not like the slave in other country, the debt-servant can be-freed when paid already the his debt.
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