Origin of the Kalinga Axe

Nonoy Tan · 6th October 2010, 11:03 PM

Quote:

I believe these to be datu pieces, but their blade heads are on backwards and there are some replacement bands. Still great pieces.

Navigator, the observations by Battara are important to consider.

Battara, I am doubtful about the use of "datu" - Are there datus in the Northern Luzon Cordillera social and political structures?

Battara · 6th October 2010, 11:36 PM

Nonoy Tan, you bring up a good point. If I understand right, there are datus in those cultures. I will see if I re-find past research upon which I base this.

In addition I would add that these types are perhaps ceremonial, but I base that due to the nature and work of the materials covering the shafts.

Navigator · 8th October 2010, 02:28 AM

These are obviously fine head axes and must have cost quite a bit more when they were made than a simple utilitarian example.
So, a rich man may well have owned such a weapon.

These head axes were made by a specialist.

It would be an interesting project to determine exactly which village they were made in.
I think this may still be possible because the children of the artisan are probably still alive, as these pieces probably date from around 1920.

Perhaps someone on this forum already knows.

Battara · 20th October 2010, 11:01 PM

Nonoy Tan,

I looked over this thread again and realized I misunderstood your comment. I do know that there are chieftains among the Igorot tribes, but I think you were referring the word "datu" not the concept. As far as the word is concerned, I agree that it is not used among them - I just did not know what term to use at the time. The Kalinga term for chieftain (according to this article) is a pangat (http://www.cca.org.hk/resources/ctc/.../ctc02-02h.htm).

Nonoy Tan · 20th October 2010, 11:10 PM

Battara, thank you for providing this information.

Indeed the social and political structures among the various Luzon Cordillera groups (and other Philippine ethnic peoples) also varied.

VANDOO · 17th June 2011, 12:22 AM

RECENTLY SAW THESE FOR SALE ON EBAY AUCTION NOW CLOSED. THEY WERE IDENTIFIED AS NEOLITHIC STONE ADZ/AX FROM PHILIPPINES POSSIBLY FROM THE ISLAND OF PALAWAN. ONE MEASURES 8.5IN LONG X 5INCH WIDE THE OTHER 9 IN. LONG X 5 INCH. PERHAPS THE MORE MODERN AX EVOLVED FROM SOMETHING LIKE THIS IF THESE ARE GENUINE ARTEFACTS.

Indianajones · 17th June 2011, 11:20 AM

Hello Navigator, two quite quality Kalinga axes indeed! Those silver rings are not replacements as Battara mentioned b.t.w. I have seen/had other axes also with partly (original) silver rings which I could place in the region where the Kalingatribe meets their Tinguian neighbours. However I do think the axeblades are on backwards as mostly the handlespurs are on same side as the projecting blade, but I could always be proven wrong.

According the books there were two places where most iron blades were made; in Balbalassang (borderTinguian/Kalinga area) and a place around Bontoc (forgot the name now), but some other villages also had their own smithies. And those villages would be mostly all in the North Kalinga area and perhaps in the East region of the Kalingatribe, I reckon. I have visited a small ironsmith myself in Ableg (West of Tabuk).
Who made the handle and optional copperwork on it is the question. Perhaps another specialist as it looks like quite meticulous work and craftmanship.

Beautiful Kalinga axes as your would certainly be owned by experienced headhunters called 'Pangats' addorned with the chesttattoes who where greatly respected, however these where not necesseraly Chiefs. These axes are really arms of war and prestige (high costs!) and may be used once in a while in ceremonies. Hence also that wonderfull usage patine; shiny n brown.
The spur -by the way- was not only used for a good grip but was also the hook from which it hung tucked in the G-string hanging upside down when standing.

It would indeed be quite interesting to know where exactly your axes were made! I have also been studieing that for a while. There are many differences on the handles; the form of the spurs (projecting notch on handles), the copperwork, the geometric cutting in the copper, bladeshape, lenght of handle. I HAVE noticed that the spurs on the handles of Tinguian-area-examples are always quite triangular and 'sharp' of edges.

Thanks for sharing the (pics of) the Kalinga axes. I have included also a nice picture (slightly blurred) of two North Kalinga warriors with axes and a pic of the Kalinga section of my collection.

Best, Wouter

17th June 2011, 12:22 AM	#6
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	RECENTLY SAW THESE FOR SALE ON EBAY AUCTION NOW CLOSED. THEY WERE IDENTIFIED AS NEOLITHIC STONE ADZ/AX FROM PHILIPPINES POSSIBLY FROM THE ISLAND OF PALAWAN. ONE MEASURES 8.5IN LONG X 5INCH WIDE THE OTHER 9 IN. LONG X 5 INCH. PERHAPS THE MORE MODERN AX EVOLVED FROM SOMETHING LIKE THIS IF THESE ARE GENUINE ARTEFACTS. Attached Images

17th June 2011, 11:20 AM	#7
Indianajones Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 180	Hello Navigator, two quite quality Kalinga axes indeed! Those silver rings are not replacements as Battara mentioned b.t.w. I have seen/had other axes also with partly (original) silver rings which I could place in the region where the Kalingatribe meets their Tinguian neighbours. However I do think the axeblades are on backwards as mostly the handlespurs are on same side as the projecting blade, but I could always be proven wrong. According the books there were two places where most iron blades were made; in Balbalassang (borderTinguian/Kalinga area) and a place around Bontoc (forgot the name now), but some other villages also had their own smithies. And those villages would be mostly all in the North Kalinga area and perhaps in the East region of the Kalingatribe, I reckon. I have visited a small ironsmith myself in Ableg (West of Tabuk). Who made the handle and optional copperwork on it is the question. Perhaps another specialist as it looks like quite meticulous work and craftmanship. Beautiful Kalinga axes as your would certainly be owned by experienced headhunters called 'Pangats' addorned with the chesttattoes who where greatly respected, however these where not necesseraly Chiefs. These axes are really arms of war and prestige (high costs!) and may be used once in a while in ceremonies. Hence also that wonderfull usage patine; shiny n brown. The spur -by the way- was not only used for a good grip but was also the hook from which it hung tucked in the G-string hanging upside down when standing. It would indeed be quite interesting to know where exactly your axes were made! I have also been studieing that for a while. There are many differences on the handles; the form of the spurs (projecting notch on handles), the copperwork, the geometric cutting in the copper, bladeshape, lenght of handle. I HAVE noticed that the spurs on the handles of Tinguian-area-examples are always quite triangular and 'sharp' of edges. Thanks for sharing the (pics of) the Kalinga axes. I have included also a nice picture (slightly blurred) of two North Kalinga warriors with axes and a pic of the Kalinga section of my collection. Best, Wouter Attached Images

6th October 2010, 11:36 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Nonoy Tan, you bring up a good point. If I understand right, there are datus in those cultures. I will see if I re-find past research upon which I base this. In addition I would add that these types are perhaps ceremonial, but I base that due to the nature and work of the materials covering the shafts.

8th October 2010, 02:28 AM	#3
Navigator Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 10	These are obviously fine head axes and must have cost quite a bit more when they were made than a simple utilitarian example. So, a rich man may well have owned such a weapon. These head axes were made by a specialist. It would be an interesting project to determine exactly which village they were made in. I think this may still be possible because the children of the artisan are probably still alive, as these pieces probably date from around 1920. Perhaps someone on this forum already knows.

20th October 2010, 11:01 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Nonoy Tan, I looked over this thread again and realized I misunderstood your comment. I do know that there are chieftains among the Igorot tribes, but I think you were referring the word "datu" not the concept. As far as the word is concerned, I agree that it is not used among them - I just did not know what term to use at the time. The Kalinga term for chieftain (according to this article) is a pangat (http://www.cca.org.hk/resources/ctc/.../ctc02-02h.htm).

20th October 2010, 11:10 PM	#5
Nonoy Tan Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 293	Battara, thank you for providing this information. Indeed the social and political structures among the various Luzon Cordillera groups (and other Philippine ethnic peoples) also varied.