Interesting Barong

Ian · 11th September 2015, 07:21 AM

Hi drac2k:

Your barung obviously has a lot of Moro features. The scabbard looks Tausug. The hilt, however, is probably from one of the Lumad tribes of Mindanao. The small "ears" reflect what was probably a Visayan influence originally, but are quite popular with the Tagakaolu (living in the vicinity of Davao City), who are culturally part of the Bagobo peoples, the Bagobo themselves, or possibly from groups in Agusan del sur. I have a number of these shaped pommels, some with Filipino coins, with a variety of blades. These hilts appear on kris, small kampilan, sabers, and various bolo forms, but I don't recall seeing such a hilt on a barung before.

Ian.

drac2k · 11th September 2015, 12:03 PM

Have you or anyone else previously posted "these shaped pommels, " on the forum, that you can direct me to the link; so that it can be a point of reference for my blade.
It is interesting that this hilt is unusual for a barong, but I guess, unlike our modern "throw away," culture , everything was utilized; if you had a perfectly good handle and your barong needed one , there was the quick fix.

Ian · 11th September 2015, 02:48 PM

Drac2k:

Here are several similar styled hilts, all from the Lumad peoples of Mindanao. I don't recall if I posted these previously on the Forum, If so, they were probably back in the old Archives.

The first composite picture shows hilts of several Bagobo swords. Note the one bottom right.

The next two are from the Tagakaolu who live close to Davao City. One of these has ten centavo coins attached to the ears.

The last one is from the Compostella Valley, Lanao del Sur.

I picked up each of the swords indicated during trips to the Philippines in 2002-2003. These "eared" hilt examples likely date from the early 20th C judging from their general appearance, as do most of the Visayan examples that may serve as a prototype for this style.

Ian.

Ian · 11th September 2015, 03:08 PM

Here are examples of the Visayan hilt on which I believe the Lumad examples are based. The hilt is typically used on machetes used for routine work, but also on weapons. The style seems to have arisen on Visayan weapons in the late 19th or early 20th C.

The first two pictures below (apologies to Hal for borrowing them from his site--I could not find a good example in my archives) shows a machete from the mid- to late-20th C with this style.

Below that are pictures of a Visayan plamenko knife showing the same features.

Ian

drac2k · 11th September 2015, 09:04 PM

Thanks, the pictures are a great help ; I like the way one of the coins is nailed off of the center.I looked at my barong and it too had the nail hole off of the center, which has to be more than coincidence !

Sajen · 17th October 2015, 01:30 PM

Hello Drac2k,

any restore updates?

Regards,
Detlef

11th September 2015, 02:48 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Drac2k: Here are several similar styled hilts, all from the Lumad peoples of Mindanao. I don't recall if I posted these previously on the Forum, If so, they were probably back in the old Archives. The first composite picture shows hilts of several Bagobo swords. Note the one bottom right. The next two are from the Tagakaolu who live close to Davao City. One of these has ten centavo coins attached to the ears. The last one is from the Compostella Valley, Lanao del Sur. I picked up each of the swords indicated during trips to the Philippines in 2002-2003. These "eared" hilt examples likely date from the early 20th C judging from their general appearance, as do most of the Visayan examples that may serve as a prototype for this style. Ian. Attached Images Last edited by Ian; 11th September 2015 at 03:14 PM.

11th September 2015, 03:08 PM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Here are examples of the Visayan hilt on which I believe the Lumad examples are based. The hilt is typically used on machetes used for routine work, but also on weapons. The style seems to have arisen on Visayan weapons in the late 19th or early 20th C. The first two pictures below (apologies to Hal for borrowing them from his site--I could not find a good example in my archives) shows a machete from the mid- to late-20th C with this style. Below that are pictures of a Visayan plamenko knife showing the same features. Ian Attached Images

11th September 2015, 07:21 AM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Hi drac2k: Your barung obviously has a lot of Moro features. The scabbard looks Tausug. The hilt, however, is probably from one of the Lumad tribes of Mindanao. The small "ears" reflect what was probably a Visayan influence originally, but are quite popular with the Tagakaolu (living in the vicinity of Davao City), who are culturally part of the Bagobo peoples, the Bagobo themselves, or possibly from groups in Agusan del sur. I have a number of these shaped pommels, some with Filipino coins, with a variety of blades. These hilts appear on kris, small kampilan, sabers, and various bolo forms, but I don't recall seeing such a hilt on a barung before. Ian.

11th September 2015, 12:03 PM	#2
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,255	Have you or anyone else previously posted "these shaped pommels, " on the forum, that you can direct me to the link; so that it can be a point of reference for my blade. It is interesting that this hilt is unusual for a barong, but I guess, unlike our modern "throw away," culture , everything was utilized; if you had a perfectly good handle and your barong needed one , there was the quick fix.

11th September 2015, 09:04 PM	#5
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,255	Thanks, the pictures are a great help ; I like the way one of the coins is nailed off of the center.I looked at my barong and it too had the nail hole off of the center, which has to be more than coincidence !

17th October 2015, 01:30 PM	#6
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,164	Hello Drac2k, any restore updates? Regards, Detlef