Origin of the kampilan?

Bill M · 26th October 2008, 08:20 PM

The first recorded kampilan possibly goes back to the Battle of Mactan in the Philippines -- April 1521. Magellan vs Lapu Lapu. However it is unclear if Lapu Lapu used a kampilan or a cutlass.

Some people attribute the kampilan to the Dayak of Borneo, but I think that it was more likely that the Moro of North Borneo were the originators. I have never seen a kampilan with Dayak designs.

I have done a search here, but found six pages of information and while there must be more information on the origins of kampilans, I don't see it.

I'd sure appreciate some opinions/ideas from our more erudite sword scholars here!

26th October 2008, 08:20 PM	#1
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Origin of the kampilan? The first recorded kampilan possibly goes back to the Battle of Mactan in the Philippines -- April 1521. Magellan vs Lapu Lapu. However it is unclear if Lapu Lapu used a kampilan or a cutlass. Some people attribute the kampilan to the Dayak of Borneo, but I think that it was more likely that the Moro of North Borneo were the originators. I have never seen a kampilan with Dayak designs. I have done a search here, but found six pages of information and while there must be more information on the origins of kampilans, I don't see it. I'd sure appreciate some opinions/ideas from our more erudite sword scholars here!