These raw and powdered sili being sold at the Baguio City Public Market reminded me of a recent article on their origins by Stephen Acabado, an anthropologist. Sili is not native to the Philippines. They were introduced to the country hundreds of years ago by the Spaniards or by Malay merchants.
The origins of the sili were traced to Central and South America. They are believed to have been cultivated initially in Mexico.
There are two main theories on how sili reached the Philippine archipelago.
1. Through the Spaniards. When Miguel Lopez de Legazpi established a settlement in the Philippines in 1565, the Manila-Acapulco gallen trade was also established. The theory goes that sili crossed the Pacific Ocean from Acapulco, Mexico into the Philippines in the pockets and supplies of sailors and settlers.
2. Through the Portuguese and Malay merchants. Sili may have reached the Philippines even before Magellan landed here. The Portuguese were already trading in Malacca (now a part of modern-day Malaysia) before Magellan's Philippine adventure. There's the possibility that the Portuguese brought sili in Malacca. Malay maritime traders then introduced the sili to the Philippines.
So yeah, the sili which is a very common sight in Cordilleran kitchen tables is actually not native here.
