Mindanao blade - ID assistance please

Ian · 31st July 2015, 02:54 AM

Hello Marbel:

The knife you show is definitely T'boli based on the geometric shapes on the brass hilt and sheath. The presence of small hawk bells is also common for T'boli metalwork. There is a similar style of knife made by the Bagobo with a different hilt (usually of wood). The Bagobo knife is called sangngi, but I don't have the T'boli name for their knife.

These knives are often referred to as "women's knives" but they are also used by men as small, general purpose knives.

The brass work and hawk bells are nicely done on your knife. The decorated brass hilt and sheath are made using the lost wax method. If you want to read more about T'boli Art and lifestyle, I recommend the book T'boli Art in Its Socio-Cultural Context, by Gabriel S. Casal, published in 1978 by Ayala Museum, Makati, Metro Manila.

Ian.

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31st July 2015, 02:54 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Hello Marbel: The knife you show is definitely T'boli based on the geometric shapes on the brass hilt and sheath. The presence of small hawk bells is also common for T'boli metalwork. There is a similar style of knife made by the Bagobo with a different hilt (usually of wood). The Bagobo knife is called sangngi, but I don't have the T'boli name for their knife. These knives are often referred to as "women's knives" but they are also used by men as small, general purpose knives. The brass work and hawk bells are nicely done on your knife. The decorated brass hilt and sheath are made using the lost wax method. If you want to read more about T'boli Art and lifestyle, I recommend the book T'boli Art in Its Socio-Cultural Context, by Gabriel S. Casal, published in 1978 by Ayala Museum, Makati, Metro Manila. Ian.