Dragons, Naga and Bakunawa...

[Titus Pullo]

Here are some pictures of Naga sculptures from Thailand.

[Spunjer]

...... and is likely due to the influence in the different areas.

i'm with you that these hilt creatures are prolly regional by design, but why pick the bakunawa as a theme? the visayans (well, pilipinos in general) are very superstitious. here's a list of our mythological creatures (from what its given, it seems like these are just mostly luzon area creatures. there's a lot from the visayan region that aren't mentioned here based on what i hear from the elders growing up, i.e. the infamous tiktik, lol):

http://www.viloria.com/secondthought.../00000847.html

my point is, could it be possible that these so called 'diety' hilts are representations of different creatures and not just the bakunawa? you mentioned the bearded dragon, and that i can see as a representation of the bakunawa. what i'm having a hard time understanding is, most of these sundangs that has the 'diety' hilts came mostly from Panay and to an extent, Negros area. in regards to the bakunawa legend (heck, even the term 'bakunawa'), it's probably big among the cebuanos( the reason i say probably is because i'm not too familiar with the cebuano culture), but certainly not among the ilonggos (majority of the people from panay). so then, why the bakunawa as a general theme??? it might seem like i'm nitpicking here, but think maguindanao/maranao, or tausug/yakan. these tribes are closer to each other in regards to geographical location compared to the cebuanos/ilonggos, and yet you will notice that there's an ovbious difference among their styles (mindanao tribes).

look, i'm no expert at this; just a curious noobie that has lots and lots of questions...

btw, nice sanduko, BSMStar. mind posting a centerfold shot?

[BSMStar]

Some how I got a double post...

[BSMStar]

Spunjer,

In no way am I an expert... I think you are much futher down the path of knowledge in this area.

I too would like to learn more about the Visayan culture, Moro culture and Indoneasian culture, especially related to the naga.

Originally Posted by Spunjer

btw, nice sanduko, BSMStar. mind posting a centerfold shot?

I would like to, but I lack the lighting to get a good picture of anything larger than what I have posted. I had to "enhance" the pictures I posted (lighten them up with Photo Editor to see any details) after using the best lights I have. And the sun ain’t shining to help things either..., maybe this spring.

[BSMStar]

Originally Posted by Spunjer

btw, nice sanduko, BSMStar. mind posting a centerfold shot?

Sorry to take so long...

[BSMStar]

Originally Posted by Titus Pullo

Here are some pictures of Naga sculptures from Thailand.

Great Pics Titus.... The naga has a horn too. Any connection here?

[Titus Pullo]

Probably, Thai arts are influence by the Balinese, also. They were contact between cultures in Southeast Asia, exchanging ideas and goods back in the ancient time. And, also, Siam kingdom once ruled part of the Indonesian Island when it was expanding its influence.

[Emanuel]

Hello to all,

Looking at the beautiful hilts of the Sanduko swords, I can't help being reminded of the moro pira with their elongated hilts. Could the pira hilt -although functional in protecting the arm- be a stylized/simplified version of these Sanduko hilts and if so could they represent the same deity/dragon?

The pictures below are both from Spunjer's old posts, I apologize for not asking permission first and I hope he won't mind.

Regards,
Manolo

[Titus Pullo]

I would imagine the one with the hilt made of wood would absorb the shock better on impact, and also cut down on the weight; thus, it makes it easier to use.

[BSMStar]

Originally Posted by Manolo

Hello to all,

Looking at the beautiful hilts of the Sanduko swords, I can't help being reminded of the moro pira with their elongated hilts. Could the pira hilt -although functional in protecting the arm- be a stylized/simplified version of these Sanduko hilts and if so could they represent the same deity/dragon?

Regards,
Manolo

I look with sadness at the nose on my Sanduko, it use to look like the one in the above picture, but an inch or more has been broken off (before I got it).

I think being a pira may have to do more with the blade shape than just the hilt. With the design differences (and correct me if I am wrong) it would seem that the two sword blade and hilt shapes serve different purposes as weapons.

Not all Bakunawas have a long nose (some are very short - see Spunjer's avatar). It would mean that the Sanduko would alone have been the influence for the pira (a bit of a hard sale).... The Sanduko "horn" really serves no protective purpose (it seems to easily break). Mine was broken; I doubt it happened in combat (more like in rough handling).


It would be nice to know why the differences for the Bakunawas.

[Spunjer]

The pictures below are both from Spunjer's old posts, I apologize for not asking permission first and I hope he won't mind.

nah, don't worry about it manolo, lol. post on, bro. i don't get too sensitive on petty stuff like that. if i didn't wanna share it, then i don't have any business posting it on the 'net.

BSMStar,
here's another tidbit:
i had a custom binangon made the last time i was in P.I. for the handle design, i requested the knob style. panday's reaction was, "oh, the chicken gizzard!" i asked, well isn't that suppose to be a stylized 'naga' head? he laughed and told me, "son, where did you ever got that stupid idea from?"
but then again, this is just one panday's opinion...

[BSMStar]

Well Spunjer, I guess one man's naga is another man's chicken gizzard.

[Tim Simmons]

This used to be in my paternal grandparents house. I always admired it as a little boy. It is really just an old tourist thing but quite striking.



A South American Godzilla. This beats working.