Kris Junggayan Silver Gold Inlay Filigree

[Emanuel]

I could also interpret the "volcano" as a symbol of power akin to the triangular representation of the Shiva lingam. Perhaps a remnant of the earlier Javanese keris, absorbed and adapted to Moro culture .

In any case, the silver inlay decoration and the pattern welding had a very similar impact in my mind.

[Battara]

Often the pommel and hilt, and then the blade, and even the scabbard were done by different craftsmen. Vandoo is right in that what is on the blade is probably talismanic, but what I don't know. I also agree that there is a spirit in the blade.

As far as a volcano is concerned, I am not aware of any connection or significance.

[David]

Originally Posted by Battara

As far as a volcano is concerned, I am not aware of any connection or significance.

Well, the list of active volcanos in the Philippines is long. The relationship of the keris to Mt. Meru in Jawa clearly shows the connection between sacred mountains and the keris/kris form. In Alan Maisey's treatise on pre-Islamic influences on the keris he states:
"The Gunungan is a Javanese indigenous symbol, which after the introduction of Hindu culture and belief systems fused with Mt. Meru and the Tree of Life."
So here we see a synthesis of symbolism which in the Javanese culture is perpetuated (and added to along the way) well into the Islamic era of the region. I see no reason why the Moro kris would not retain a connection to some of these early pre-Islamic symbols.
In Jawa the mythology goes that the gods moved a piece of the sacred mountain to Jawa to "nail it down".
"This mythical mountain of gods was mentioned in Tantu Pagelaran, an Old Javanese manuscript written in Kawi language from 15th century Majapahit period. The manuscript is describing the mythical origin of Java island, and the legend of moving some parts of mount Meru to Java. The manuscript explained that Batara Guru (Shiva) has ordered the god Brahma and Vishnu to fill the Java island with human beings. However at that time Java island was floating freely on the ocean, ever tumbling and always shaking. To make the island still, the gods decided to nail the island upon the earth by moving the part of Mahameru in Jambudvipa (India) and attaching it upon Java.[16] The resulting mountain is Mount Semeru, the tallest mountain of Java." ~ Wikipedia
So i see no reason why this connection to the sacred mountain might not emigrate with the keris as it transferred to Moroland or that a local mountain/volcano could not then serve as a surrogate on their land for the sacred Mt. Meru. And what more powerful a mountain than an active volcano?
Of course, the above is all speculation and meaningless if the original intent of the inlaid design is NOT meant to be a volcano, but i can clearly see how it could very possibly be just that in design.

[David]

Just to follow through on this volcano theory, the one i would think it most likely to represent would be Mt. Apo. Not only is it in the Moro region, but like Mt. Semeru in Jawa, Mt. Apo is also the tallest mountain in the active volcano in the country. It is consider sacred by many of the surrounding tribes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Apo

[Battara]

David, the mountain motif is important among Philippine symbols. Bud Bagsak is an extinct volcano right on the Island of Jolo itself (home of the Tausugs who likely made this). However, reference to this volcano is possible, but I am as of yet unaware (and have yet to see evidence of) the connection in symbology to the inlay section near the hilt. If anyone does have research regarding volcano symbolism and its representations in Tausug culture, please let me know. In the meantime, I will check some other sources just in case I missed something.

[David]

Originally Posted by Battara

David, the mountain motif is important among Philippine symbols. Bud Bagsak is an extinct volcano right on the Island of Jolo itself (home of the Tausugs who likely made this). However, reference to this volcano is possible, but I am as of yet unaware (and have yet to see evidence of) the connection in symbology to the inlay section near the hilt. If anyone does have research regarding volcano symbolism and its representations in Tausug culture, please let me know. In the meantime, I will check some other sources just in case I missed something.

Well you may never find "evidence" of this connection José. The Moro kris is obviously the child of the Javanese keris. The Javanese held this connection to the Cosmic Mountain well into the Islamic era, perhaps without even understanding the original Hindu significance. We find representations of it in the keris form in sorsoran placed pamor patterns like Sangga Brja, Raja Kamkam and Batu Lapak, little mountainous pamor forms at the base of the keris. It would not seem unreasonable to me then that certain aspects of symbolism used in Javanese keris transferred to the Moro kris, perhaps without even a full understanding of the original symbolic significance (i.e. Hindu). What, for instance, does the carving of sogokan and the outline around it mean to the Moro? These groves don't have any practical purpose on the blade AFAIK. Moro blades seemed to drop this feature for a time after the "archaic" period, but then there seemed to be a revival of this feature in at least some blades late in the 19th century.
I feel that the information on Javanese symbolism in Alan's treatise may be more germane to this subject then we might think at first.
http://kerisattosanaji.com/INTERPRETATIONPAGE1.html

[Henk]

IMHO a great restoration of a beautiful piece. With great skill brought back how it was once. Nothing wrong with that and doing justice to a marvelous piece.

If it was upgraded ore ruined by wrong techniques one could be right it was better not touched. This piece just was brought back to live. Awsome job!!

[Ian]

Originally Posted by David

Just to follow through on this volcano theory, the one i would think it most likely to represent would be Mt. Apo. Not only is it in the Moro region, but like Mt. Semeru in Jawa, Mt. Apo is also the tallest mountain in the active volcano in the country. It is consider sacred by many of the surrounding tribes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Apo

Hi David:

Mt Apo is a beautiful mountain to visit. It is just outside Davao City and looms over that city of over a million people. There is a national sanctuary there for the Philippine eagle.

I had the privilege of visiting that area many times in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It is not really part of Moroland, being located on the eastern side of Mindanao, and more the home of the Bagobo, Tagakaolu, and related tribes.

Jose may be on to something with his reference to Bud Bagsak on the island of Jolo. I believe this volcano has significant meaning to the Tausug, and it was the scene of a famous battle in 1913. A local leader, datu Amil, took his whole population of several thousand people (some estimate 10,000 men, women and children) up the mountain and into the caldera, which was heavily fortified, and challenged the Americans to come and take them.

US forces under command of General John Pershing tried to encourage the women and children to leave, but when it became clear that all of the population was ready to fight Pershing overwhelmed the Moro rebels in several days of fierce fighting. Spears, kris, barung, and a few firearms thrown in, were no match for US artillery. The Moro rebels were annihilated.

Pershing wrote afterwards that the fighting was the fiercest he had ever seen. "They are absolutely fearless and once committed to combat they count death as a mere incident." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bud_Bagsak

Ian.

Mt Apo overlooking Davao City (1998)