Bicol Ginunting

[tanaruz]

Hi all,

Our first Bicol blade, a ginunting. With an over-all length of 32 inches, with a 23-inch blade. The hilt is made from carabao horn and the scabbard, a hardwood called balayong (barayong).

But the point of interest for us is the mythical creature on the pommel. The son of the former owner informed us that according to his late father, the design on the pommel is an Onglo (hence, an Inunglo). When we started asking people who are knowledgeable on Bicol blades- they shared their opinion that the creature on the pommel might be of a 'pinaniki' design(in the semblance of a bat).

But the son of the former owner insists that it is an Onglo (Onglo is a mythical beast in semblance of an ape). And looking at the flaring nosetrils- it does look like an ape (to us), ha ha.

What do you think?

Note: this Bicol ginunting came from Matnog, Sorsogon.

Enjoy,

Yves

[chmorshuutz]

Hi,

I'm no expert in Bikol blades, I've never seen a hilt design like that before. But I'll show my minasbad's hilt which also has a figure with flared nostrils, I just forgot to ask the maker the specific term when I commissioned it. I always though it's pinaniki, but I reconsidered when I saw yours.

[tanaruz]

Originally Posted by chmorshuutz

Hi,

I'm no expert in Bikol blades, I've never seen a hilt design like that before. But I'll show my minasbad's hilt which also has a figure with flared nostrils, I just forgot to ask the maker the specific term when I commissioned it. I always though it's pinaniki, but I reconsidered when I saw yours.

If it's ok with you Sir, I will show these pictures to Bicol bladesmith who's quite knowledgeable on these type of blades. We can have his idea on the mythical fiture on your hilt.

Regards

Yves

[tanaruz]

Originally Posted by chmorshuutz

Hi,

I'm no expert in Bikol blades, I've never seen a hilt design like that before. But I'll show my minasbad's hilt which also has a figure with flared nostrils, I just forgot to ask the maker the specific term when I commissioned it. I always though it's pinaniki, but I reconsidered when I saw yours.

Hi,

The pommel of your Bicol blade is an INUNGLO (Onglo- a mythical Bicolandia beast-just like mine, that resembles an ape. In some other local folklore- it is sometimes referred to as a tikbalang, a monster with the head of a horse).

Try to google what a tikbalang is.

Regards

Yves

[Sajen]

Nice and rare sword, any clue or guess how old it is?

Here are two from my collection, both are antique and very thick at spine, near the handle, 12 and 11,5 mm.

Regards,
Detlef

[tanaruz]

Hello Sir,

The son of the former owner is around 45 years of age. The father (original owner), passed at age 75. So, if the father had this blade commissioned when he was 20 years old (assuming), he was 55 when he passed. The age of the son is 45 so this blade must be in the minimum of 100 years old.

But if the father had this at a much younger age of 20, then it hit the 100+ years mark.

Kind regards

Yves

[tanaruz]

Originally Posted by tanaruz

Hello Sir,

The son of the former owner is around 45 years of age. The father (original owner), passed at age 75. So, if the father had this blade commissioned when he was 20 years old (assuming), he was 55 when he passed. The age of the son is 45 so this blade must be in the minimum of 100 years old.

But if the father had this at a much younger age of 20, then it hit the 100+ years mark.

Kind regards

Yves

Hello again,

According to a local bladesmith who does Bicol blades- these two are not Bicol blades. In my opinion (only mine)- they could be Aklan tenegre/tinegre talibongs.

Regards

Yves

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by tanaruz

According to a local bladesmith who does Bicol blades- these two are not Bicol blades. In my opinion (only mine)- they could be Aklan tenegre/tinegre talibongs.

Hello Yves,

I am a little bit confused, about which two blades you are speaking here?

Regards,
Detlef

[tanaruz]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello Yves,

I am a little bit confused, about which two blades you are speaking here?

Regards,
Detlef

Hello,

The ones you're posted ( 2 blades and 3 pommels pictures). I've asked a long-time Bicol bladesmith and they're not from Bicol.

Regards

Yves