Isneg Axe
 

The Isneg (aka Isnag/Yapayao/Apayao) were in the past, considered as one of the most fierce groups living in the Northern Luzon Cordillera of the Philippines. This is manifested in the large number of words (100+) in their vocabulary which relate to weaponry and bladed tools. These include the men's axe, which is called "aliwa." While useful in battle, the aliwa found its many uses as a general purpose cutting tool, especially in agriculture.

I have identified three general forms of Isneg aliwa. The one in the left of the photograph is called "Binarawad." The one at the middle is called "Badan" while the one at the right is a "Badon."

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noy, does the badon has a handle that short? reminds me of the ilonggo garab...

Thank you for calling me attention, Spunjer.

I forgot to mention, that the Badon in the phoograph is missing the handle :D

nonoy, thanks for the pics. if you insert the ax below (used to be in rob miller's site, but must have been sold now) in your series, it would appear that we would already have the evolution of the cordillera axe (or if not evolution, the entire spectrum of variation).

EXCELLENT INFORMATION :D HERE ARE 3 DIFFERENT AXES NONE TYPICAL IN FORM. THE FIRST ONE IS RATHER LONG AT 23 INCHES THE OTHER TWO SOMEWHAT SHORT. DO THESE FIT INTO THE BINARAWAD FORM OR ARE THEY SOMETHING ELSE ENTIRELY? AND IF SO IS IT DUE TO THE SHAPE OF THE BLADES CUTTING EDGE.?

Hi VANDOO,

In my opinion, the 23" long axe is a form found among the Kalinga and Tinguian. The axe on the photograph at the right is not found in use at all, except as a tourist piece, most likely made by the Ifugao.

The axe with elaborate designs on the ferrule suggests a hybrid of southern Kalinga, eastern Bontok and Christian influence. Is this yours? It is a weird piece.

Sorry, I meant western Bontok, not eastern Bontok.

I SAW THE UNUSUAL AX QUITE A FEW YEARS AGO IN SANTA FE NEW MEXICO. IT WAS VERY WELL MADE AND HAD GOOD AGE AND PATINA THRU-OUT AND WAS A SERVICABLE WEAPON. UNFORTUNATELY IT WAS PRICED VERY HIGH END SO I DIDN'T BUY IT. I HAD ALWAYS THOUGHT OF THIS FORM AS BONTOK BECAUSE THEY USUALLY SEEM TO HAVE SHORT HANDLES AND WIDE BLADES LACKING THE WELL CURVED EDGE OF THE KALINGA AX AND HAVING A MORE EVEN EDGE. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANY AX LIKE IT AND THE DESIGN CUT INTO THE BLADE WAS VERY WELL DONE ALMOST LOOKING LIKE A DAYAK TATOO.
ARE ANY OF THESE AXES STILL IN USE FOR WORK OR CEREMONY IN THE PHILIPPINES?

Thanks, Nonoy, for the valuable info! (And others for chiming in ;) )

I'm with Kai - Maraming Salamat Po!

Yes, VANDOO, a few axes are still in use as tools and in ceremonies. Thanks for sharing the photos.

Thank you also to migueldiaz for helping me acquire the Badon piece.