Mandaya Dagger

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 15th June 2017, 12:33 AM

Salaams and for this weapon Please see;

http://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/nat...no/Dagger.html which states ~

Quote"The badao or winged dagger is a double bladed multi-purpose weapon used by the Mandaya of Eastern Mindanao. The dagger is a status symbol used among the Mandaya datu. It has a crown-like wooden pommel enclosed with a carved wooden sheath provided with red cloth. The red cloth symbolizes bravery among the Mandaya and it is usually seen among Mandaya hunters. The badao is 0.305 meters long and there are braided cloth belt and tassels provided to secure the dagger in proper place."Unquote.

Whilst Forum Library has other links and a great thread at http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5906

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Ian · 15th June 2017, 01:24 AM

Very nice example Robert and again some good repair work on your part. These are very uncommon and difficult to find. I have only owned one and it was stolen in a break-in during the 1990s. Been looking for another good one at a reasonable price for many years. Congrats on your excellent gift.

Ian

Robert · 15th June 2017, 06:20 AM

Thank you all for your kind words on the repairs that have been made to this point and for the links provided. In searching for what little information I could find on these daggers it seems that the ones with the earliest collection dates (like gunongs) appear to be of a smaller size and much less decorative than their later counterparts. I was wondering if anyone else has noticed this or come to this same conclusion, or am I trying to read more into this than the evidence supports

Sajen · 15th June 2017, 10:06 AM

Hello Robert,

great work you have done so far on this little fellow. To glue the hilt without removing the rattan braiding was for sure a challenge, congrats!

I also think that it is a 19th century piece, maybe mid 19th century. It's also for me the first one I've seen without silver band at the waist of the handle. And like you I think that the small size could be a hint that it is a very early piece while the missing silver could just be hint of the lower status of the former owner.

But the form of the wooden hilt could be again a sign of the great age of this piece. Just my thoughts.

Best regards,
Detlef

kai · 15th June 2017, 07:20 PM

Hello Robert,

Thanks for showing!

Without any corroborating evidence that I know of, I'd be inclined to believe that these plain and smaller examples are more likely to be for people of somewhat lesser status: I'd expect early pieces of high status leaders to show at least better carving quality than seen with these examples...

AFAIK, there is also no shortage of silver with early antique jewellery - thus, I see no reason why the more embellished examples should not be at least as old; their workmanship is certainly of high quality.

Regards,
Kai

Jim McDougall · 15th June 2017, 09:31 PM

Interesting dagger, and Ibrahiim thank you for the historical input and link. For those like myself who have little familiarity with these, it is great to have this kind of perspective to learn more on them. I honestly would never have known this was from the Philippines, and its good to know more on its features. Much appreciated.

Battara · 16th June 2017, 12:14 AM

Nice job Robert and congratulations on getting a Mandaya knife.

Until recently I did not know how hard it was to get one of these. Part of the problem is that the scabbard wood seems to be made of a soft wood and may not survive.

Early examples vs lower status examples not having any silver - I don't know for sure. Not much evidence if any exists regarding early examples. What has been an established pattern (for the most part) is that upper status pieces seem to get the silver treatment.

15th June 2017, 12:33 AM	#1
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Salaams and for this weapon Please see; http://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/nat...no/Dagger.html which states ~ Quote"The badao or winged dagger is a double bladed multi-purpose weapon used by the Mandaya of Eastern Mindanao. The dagger is a status symbol used among the Mandaya datu. It has a crown-like wooden pommel enclosed with a carved wooden sheath provided with red cloth. The red cloth symbolizes bravery among the Mandaya and it is usually seen among Mandaya hunters. The badao is 0.305 meters long and there are braided cloth belt and tassels provided to secure the dagger in proper place."Unquote. Whilst Forum Library has other links and a great thread at http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5906 Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 15th June 2017 at 12:44 AM.

15th June 2017, 01:24 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,470	Very nice example Robert and again some good repair work on your part. These are very uncommon and difficult to find. I have only owned one and it was stolen in a break-in during the 1990s. Been looking for another good one at a reasonable price for many years. Congrats on your excellent gift. Ian

15th June 2017, 06:20 AM	#3
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Thank you all for your kind words on the repairs that have been made to this point and for the links provided. In searching for what little information I could find on these daggers it seems that the ones with the earliest collection dates (like gunongs) appear to be of a smaller size and much less decorative than their later counterparts. I was wondering if anyone else has noticed this or come to this same conclusion, or am I trying to read more into this than the evidence supports

15th June 2017, 10:06 AM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,342	Hello Robert, great work you have done so far on this little fellow. To glue the hilt without removing the rattan braiding was for sure a challenge, congrats! I also think that it is a 19th century piece, maybe mid 19th century. It's also for me the first one I've seen without silver band at the waist of the handle. And like you I think that the small size could be a hint that it is a very early piece while the missing silver could just be hint of the lower status of the former owner. But the form of the wooden hilt could be again a sign of the great age of this piece. Just my thoughts. Best regards, Detlef

15th June 2017, 07:20 PM	#5
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Hello Robert, Thanks for showing! Without any corroborating evidence that I know of, I'd be inclined to believe that these plain and smaller examples are more likely to be for people of somewhat lesser status: I'd expect early pieces of high status leaders to show at least better carving quality than seen with these examples... AFAIK, there is also no shortage of silver with early antique jewellery - thus, I see no reason why the more embellished examples should not be at least as old; their workmanship is certainly of high quality. Regards, Kai

15th June 2017, 09:31 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,595	Interesting dagger, and Ibrahiim thank you for the historical input and link. For those like myself who have little familiarity with these, it is great to have this kind of perspective to learn more on them. I honestly would never have known this was from the Philippines, and its good to know more on its features. Much appreciated.

16th June 2017, 12:14 AM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,325	Nice job Robert and congratulations on getting a Mandaya knife. Until recently I did not know how hard it was to get one of these. Part of the problem is that the scabbard wood seems to be made of a soft wood and may not survive. Early examples vs lower status examples not having any silver - I don't know for sure. Not much evidence if any exists regarding early examples. What has been an established pattern (for the most part) is that upper status pieces seem to get the silver treatment.