Interesting Barong

Ian · 11th September 2015, 07:21 AM

Hi drac2k:

Your barung obviously has a lot of Moro features. The scabbard looks Tausug. The hilt, however, is probably from one of the Lumad tribes of Mindanao. The small "ears" reflect what was probably a Visayan influence originally, but are quite popular with the Tagakaolu (living in the vicinity of Davao City), who are culturally part of the Bagobo peoples, the Bagobo themselves, or possibly from groups in Agusan del sur. I have a number of these shaped pommels, some with Filipino coins, with a variety of blades. These hilts appear on kris, small kampilan, sabers, and various bolo forms, but I don't recall seeing such a hilt on a barung before.

Ian.

11th September 2015, 07:21 AM	#13
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,453	Hi drac2k: Your barung obviously has a lot of Moro features. The scabbard looks Tausug. The hilt, however, is probably from one of the Lumad tribes of Mindanao. The small "ears" reflect what was probably a Visayan influence originally, but are quite popular with the Tagakaolu (living in the vicinity of Davao City), who are culturally part of the Bagobo peoples, the Bagobo themselves, or possibly from groups in Agusan del sur. I have a number of these shaped pommels, some with Filipino coins, with a variety of blades. These hilts appear on kris, small kampilan, sabers, and various bolo forms, but I don't recall seeing such a hilt on a barung before. Ian.