Who is the legendary warrior princess that is recognized as a heroine in Pangasinan, Philippines?
A warrior queen of a matriarchal dynasty, Urduja (or locally spelled as Urduha) was a 14th century ruler of Tawalisi, in what is now known as Pangasinan. Princess Urduja was trained in the art of war since she was a child, and became an expert in using the kampilan and a skilled navigator. Known far and wide, she was famous for leading a retinue of women warriors who were skilled fighters, equestrians, and experts in weaponry. With bodies of strength and muscular physique, they were known as Kinalakian, or Amazons. The legend of Princess Urduha can be attributed to the story of when she met the greatest traveler in history, Ibn Battuta.
Abu Abdullah Muhammad Ibn Battuta (Ibn Battuta) was a Moroccan Muslim scholar and traveler. He was known for his traveling and undertaking excursions called the Rihla. His journeys lasted for a period of almost thirty years, covering nearly the whole of the known Islamic world and beyond. They extended from North Africa, West Africa, Southern Europe and Eastern Europe in the West, to the Middle East, Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, Southeast Asia and China in the East, a distance readily surpassing that of his predecessors.
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