My first Kampilan

Sajen · 21st March 2012, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ferguson

I have a couple of 20 centavo coins coming from Ebay. Which side of the coin would usually be shown?

Steve

I have had the same problem (and use as well 20 centavos coins) so I show at one side the eagle and at the other side the "girl". Look the thread I give you in post # 3.

Regards,

Detlef

migueldiaz · 22nd March 2012, 11:53 PM

Steve, thanks for the pics! Very nice lamination patterns!

In my opinion, the kampilan symbolizes the bird-deity just like the kris, barung, and pira (with the beak & crest of the kakatua in the pommel, etc.). Hence, we often see ukkil on the kampilans' crossguard that makes it look like outspread bird wings. And I also think that the kampilan's blade tip (with or without the spikelet) is the bird's head and beak. Thus the bifurcated pommel will logically be the bird's tail (and not the open mouth of a croc).

There's also a Muslim univ. professor whom I interviewed about two years ago, who in turn interviewed at least two prominent Mindanao craftsmen earlier. Here's what the univ. prof. told me:

"The kampilan represents a swift's tail, particularly the Purple Needletail Swift which is a bird known to hunt in large groups, nests in caves, and unlike most birds, it makes no noises or calls – thus warrior-like. It’s also known for its beautiful shiny purple color."

It's no coincidence thus that often we see the bird side of the coin displayed on the kampilan's hilt (as Robert also noted).

Further up north among the Panay Bukidnons in the Visayas (central Phils.), they are fond of using a Mexican coin with a sun burst design on one side. The logic is the same - it is all about the veneration of the sun god and the bird deity (two sides of the same coin

) of the ancient religion of the islands.

Thus IMHO I think you should show the bird side of the coin when you affix them in your kampilan ...

Just my two cents

Lorenz

Ferguson · 23rd March 2012, 06:24 PM

Lorenz,
Thank you so much for sharing this information. It's fascinating! Bird side it is!

Steve

Ferguson · 25th March 2012, 07:29 PM

She can see now.

Steve

Lew · 25th March 2012, 09:36 PM

Well done

.

archer · 25th March 2012, 09:51 PM

Nice Work!!

Sajen · 25th March 2012, 11:41 PM

Yes, well done!

25th March 2012, 07:29 PM	#4
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	She can see now. Steve Attached Images

25th March 2012, 09:51 PM	#6
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	Congrats Nice Work!!

22nd March 2012, 11:53 PM	#2
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	Steve, thanks for the pics! Very nice lamination patterns! In my opinion, the kampilan symbolizes the bird-deity just like the kris, barung, and pira (with the beak & crest of the kakatua in the pommel, etc.). Hence, we often see ukkil on the kampilans' crossguard that makes it look like outspread bird wings. And I also think that the kampilan's blade tip (with or without the spikelet) is the bird's head and beak. Thus the bifurcated pommel will logically be the bird's tail (and not the open mouth of a croc). There's also a Muslim univ. professor whom I interviewed about two years ago, who in turn interviewed at least two prominent Mindanao craftsmen earlier. Here's what the univ. prof. told me: "The kampilan represents a swift's tail, particularly the Purple Needletail Swift which is a bird known to hunt in large groups, nests in caves, and unlike most birds, it makes no noises or calls – thus warrior-like. It’s also known for its beautiful shiny purple color." It's no coincidence thus that often we see the bird side of the coin displayed on the kampilan's hilt (as Robert also noted). Further up north among the Panay Bukidnons in the Visayas (central Phils.), they are fond of using a Mexican coin with a sun burst design on one side. The logic is the same - it is all about the veneration of the sun god and the bird deity (two sides of the same coin ) of the ancient religion of the islands. Thus IMHO I think you should show the bird side of the coin when you affix them in your kampilan ... Just my two cents Lorenz

23rd March 2012, 06:24 PM	#3
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Lorenz, Thank you so much for sharing this information. It's fascinating! Bird side it is! Steve

25th March 2012, 09:36 PM	#5
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Well done .

25th March 2012, 11:41 PM	#7
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,164	Yes, well done!