Any ideas on the origin?

[Ian]

Thanks Zel.

I appreciate the difficulty of keeping ones ideas clear and up to date, especially when the subject is complex and imprecise.

The purpose of my recent post was not so much about nomenclature, although that certainly is an interesting and confusing field, but on changes in styles over time and how to date Visayan weapons to a certain period. In the piece you wrote three years ago, you talked about changing styles and how these might help in dating a particular weapon. That sounded very useful information and I have carried it with me as I've looked at various pieces from the Western Visayas.

The information that you provided was quite specific and will get you quoted, and once out there it will continue to be quoted. The best we can hope for is that we are quoted accurately. Which brings me to the query I posted for you. Am I still quoting you accurately, based on what you said in 2003, or is it necessary to update or amend some of the information that you posted previously (within the bounds of confidentiality that you mentioned)? If it's, say, 80% correct, what is the 20% that's no longer accurate?

Regards,

Ian.

Originally Posted by zelbone

Hello Ian,

What I have said in the past (such as in that old thread that you quoted) is still quite true. However, that was 3 years ago. And since then, much has been learned. I've handled hundreds of Visayan swords, I've traveled to the Visayas, I've sought old pandays (both woodcarvers and smiths), and searched for real swordsmen. It wasn't an easy journey and the dialect differences made it even more so. Every questioned answered brought more questions. And as an "outsider," I was dealt with great suspicion. I've been threatened, challenged to test my sword skills, and tested for my knowledge so far. Though I've gained a wealth of knowledge, there are still questions that need to be answered...more so esoteric than general.

If I seem "cryptic" or hesitant to post any further information or updates, I have my reasons. For one thing, the Visayas is a broad region with different dialects. Two words can mean the same thing....and one word can mean several things. And another thing is that I don't want to be quoted like Cato having everything I say assumed as the definate answer. Anyone who's really studied the Visayan sword (or Moro swords for that reason) knows that there are no definate answers. Furthermore, the information I've learned could be quite esoteric and confusing for those that want definate answers. Ask anyone that came to our recent gathering....like Mabagani or Spunger...and they'll tell you that they learned quite a bit, but left even more confused. I'm still trying to piece together the jigsaw puzzle. And some of that information I received IS priviledged information sworn to secrecy to those that gave it to me. It would be dishonorable for me to post that information on a public forum. I hope you can understand.

....sometimes "it's a sundang" is the best and safest answer.