Visayan Kris

[VVV]

Recieved this heavy Kris that's collected in Negros.
Any ideas about what the star on the handle could symbolize?
And what is the, almost wootz resembling, pattern on the blade?

More pictures at

http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_album.php

Michael

[kai]

Hello Michael,

And what is the, almost wootz resembling, pattern on the blade?

I realize that it's awfully difficult to photograph steel, especially wootz, but I can't see anything vaguely resembling wootz I'm afraid...

Those specks don't resemble any crucible steel pattern I've seen. Any intentions to polish this blade? This may help to reveal their true nature.

Best wishes,
Kai

[Rick]

Hi Michael,
I suspect the symbolism may be Katipunan .

[VVV]

Thanks for your comments.

Rick, I didn't think about Katipunan on a Visayan sword but maybe the star symbolise Visayas (like on the flag)?
Most of what I read about the Katipunan part of the revolution seems to have been centered to Luzon?
But there was the uprising of Papa Isio and his Tribo Pulahan on Negros. As far as I remember, of the statue of him on the crossroad in Barrio Isio, he didn't carry a Kris however?
Unfortunately I didn't have a digital camera at that time and I haven't been able to find a picture of the statue on the Internet to doublecheck.
But from what I have read he also had some contact with Rizal & Co.

Sorry for the lousy close up Kai. The blade actually is quite well preserved and has a nice grey patina that I don't feel like polish away. The specks you see on the picture are the dominant ones. All over there are several smaller ones that I unfortunately can't seem to catch on a picture.

Michael

[Bill M]

I really like the Negrito kris. Unusual and interesting. Good catch!

I had posted this dagger some time ago and there were comments about it being KKK origins, but I can't find that post.

[VVV]

Thanks Bill,

I see the sun and the three stars. But I haven't seen the sun with a face before, as well as those kind of stars, on Katipunan emblems?
I am sure that some of the other forumites know much more about it.

Michael

[LabanTayo]

Originally Posted by Bill Marsh

I really like the Negrito kris.

Bill,
Negrito does not equal Negros.
There are Negritos all over the Philippines and the correct term for them is Aeta.

To call anyone who is from Negros, a Negrito, is not correct.
That is like calling anyone who was born in America, an Indian (which is not correct either).
To call an inanimate object from Negros, Negrito, is not a good thing either.

Remember, Negrito is the term used for the aboriginal inhabitants of the Philippines, not the people of Negros, or as you stated in another thread, the ancestral peoples of the Moros.

The Spanish originally called that island, Negros, because the people were dark.
The inhabitants of Negros now, are either Illongo or Cebuano, with some others, such as Waray-Waray.

I'm surpised the other Filipinos on the board havent corrected you yet.


VVV,
Very nice dagger!!!



This is a Visayan Dagger