BINUAYA/BINUWAYA MAGUINDANAO

werecow · 10th April 2023, 01:09 PM

I may well be mistaken but to my untrained eye it seems that a lot of the blades often (mis?)labeled as panabas are actually of this type. So now I'm wondering what defines the two and sets them apart?

tanaruz · 11th April 2023, 09:27 AM

Hello,

As to the question: is the binuaya the same as the panabas.
I asked my father. Though he knew the answer- it was best he said , for me to hear it from a Maguindanaon source regarding this question.

1) the binuaya blade is an EXCLUSIVE blade of the Maguindanaon. No other moro tribe carries this blade).
2) it is EXCLUSIVELY used in carrying out sentences (usually death) by their court. The method is by 'slitting' the throat of the convicted criminal (padsumbalin). (Note: they never chop of the head of a criminal convicted to die because it is NOT proper).

This is the only Maguindanaon blade that has the 3 nations of the Maguindanaon bangsamoro well represented (see my initial post for reference). IF a convicted person is killed using the binuaya- there will be NO reprisals/vengeance from the person/s kin since the instrument is represented by the 3 nations of Maguindanao.

3) the binuaya blade is one that cannot be used in warfare (only for their courts).

Now, the panabas is one of the blade that is used in warfare. It CANNOT be used to function like a binuaya in carrying out sentences because the panabas is NOT represented by the 3 nations of Maguidanaon bangsamoro.
If a panabas is used to carry out death sentences by their court- there sure will be reprisals. And a similar blade (panabas) will be used by the kin to kill the person who employed it in carrying out the court's death sentence.

The panabas is used in warfare.

In short- they have different functions, hence, different designs.

Hope this sheds light.

Saludos,

Yves

Ian · 11th April 2023, 10:43 AM

Yves,

Thank you again for clarifying the use of this interesting sword. There is a form of panabas that has a somewhat similar shaped blade as your binuwaya that has been called a padsumbalin panabas. Are they the same? I notice you use padsumbalin to describe the condemned criminal. The term padsumbalin panabas appears in Robert Cato's book I think.

tanaruz · 11th April 2023, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Yves,

Thank you again for clarifying the use of this interesting sword. There is a form of panabas that has a somewhat similar shaped blade as your binuwaya that has been called a padsumbalin panabas. Are they the same? I notice you use padsumbalin to describe the condemned criminal. The term padsumbalin panabas appears in Robert Cato's book I think.

Hello Ian,

Padsumbalin (Maguindanao term-not sure with the other moro group)- literally means the act of 'slitting' (i.e., the throat of a condemned criminal(Note: not to chop or lop the head off- as this was not 'proper' for them).

The binuayas in our collection is the classical, accepted form of the blade (this is because of the 3-nation representation of Maguindanao bangsamoro). The blade form must adhere to this form.

Since the term padsumbalin literally means the act of slitting the throat- perhaps other blades (besides the binuaya) might be used, or thought of to be used, for slitting throats, hence the term padsumbalin. IMHO.

'Padsumbalin panabas'. Unlike the binuaya whose length (size) they say is just right to be used for slitting throats, the panabas (from the word 'tabas') literally, in my opinion is best for 'chopping'. It's larger (than the binuaya) Our source say that wielders of the panabas, during battle, would chop (not slit) the wounded or disabled enemy.

Having said this- the term 'padsumbalin panabas', for us is quite hazy.

Saludos,

Yves

PS: do you have a picture of the so-called padsumbalin panabas?

Sajen · 11th April 2023, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tanaruz

PS: do you have a picture of the so-called padsumbalin panabas?

Here is mine.

tanaruz · 12th April 2023, 01:00 AM

Hello,

yes. I believe that's another form of a panabas. To coin the word pedsumbalin to it could mean that it might have been used/could be used to slit throats in the battlefield.

My father would like to share the ff terminologies:Maguindanaon

SUMBALI - future tense. what will be done to a convicted criminal (tittle- maranao);

PEDSUMBALIN - present tense. what is being done to the criminal

SINUMBALI- past tense. what was done.

The weapon/blade used is called IBANUMBALI.

Saludos,

Yves

Ian · 12th April 2023, 06:24 AM

Yves,

Thanks again for the etymology of that blade type. Very helpful.

You note that the weapon/blade is called Ibanumbali. I see the prefix Iban in that word and it brings to mind the Iban people of Borneo, also known as Sea Dyaks to English-speaking colonials. The Iban were part of the pirate groups that swarmed the southern China Sea, and others included the Iranun from Mindanao, who were closely related to the Maranao and Maguindanao groups.

I'm wondering whether the Iban in Ibanumbali has a connection to the Iban people of Borneo, and that the weapon/blade has something to do with them (perhaps introduced via the Iranun who would have had direct contact with them). I know that sounds convoluted, but it is a thought that came to mind on seeing the term that you used.

11th April 2023, 09:27 AM	#2
tanaruz Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 276	BINUAYA/BINUWAYA MAGUINDANAO Hello, As to the question: is the binuaya the same as the panabas. I asked my father. Though he knew the answer- it was best he said , for me to hear it from a Maguindanaon source regarding this question. 1) the binuaya blade is an EXCLUSIVE blade of the Maguindanaon. No other moro tribe carries this blade). 2) it is EXCLUSIVELY used in carrying out sentences (usually death) by their court. The method is by 'slitting' the throat of the convicted criminal (padsumbalin). (Note: they never chop of the head of a criminal convicted to die because it is NOT proper). This is the only Maguindanaon blade that has the 3 nations of the Maguindanaon bangsamoro well represented (see my initial post for reference). IF a convicted person is killed using the binuaya- there will be NO reprisals/vengeance from the person/s kin since the instrument is represented by the 3 nations of Maguindanao. 3) the binuaya blade is one that cannot be used in warfare (only for their courts). Now, the panabas is one of the blade that is used in warfare. It CANNOT be used to function like a binuaya in carrying out sentences because the panabas is NOT represented by the 3 nations of Maguidanaon bangsamoro. If a panabas is used to carry out death sentences by their court- there sure will be reprisals. And a similar blade (panabas) will be used by the kin to kill the person who employed it in carrying out the court's death sentence. The panabas is used in warfare. In short- they have different functions, hence, different designs. Hope this sheds light. Saludos, Yves

12th April 2023, 01:00 AM	#6
tanaruz Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 276	BINUAYA/BINUWAYA MAGUINDANAO Hello, yes. I believe that's another form of a panabas. To coin the word pedsumbalin to it could mean that it might have been used/could be used to slit throats in the battlefield. My father would like to share the ff terminologies:Maguindanaon SUMBALI - future tense. what will be done to a convicted criminal (tittle- maranao); PEDSUMBALIN - present tense. what is being done to the criminal SINUMBALI- past tense. what was done. The weapon/blade used is called IBANUMBALI. Saludos, Yves

10th April 2023, 01:09 PM	#1
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 589	I may well be mistaken but to my untrained eye it seems that a lot of the blades often (mis?)labeled as panabas are actually of this type. So now I'm wondering what defines the two and sets them apart?

11th April 2023, 10:43 AM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,453	Yves, Thank you again for clarifying the use of this interesting sword. There is a form of panabas that has a somewhat similar shaped blade as your binuwaya that has been called a padsumbalin panabas. Are they the same? I notice you use padsumbalin to describe the condemned criminal. The term padsumbalin panabas appears in Robert Cato's book I think.

12th April 2023, 06:24 AM	#7
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,453	Yves, Thanks again for the etymology of that blade type. Very helpful. You note that the weapon/blade is called Ibanumbali. I see the prefix Iban in that word and it brings to mind the Iban people of Borneo, also known as Sea Dyaks to English-speaking colonials. The Iban were part of the pirate groups that swarmed the southern China Sea, and others included the Iranun from Mindanao, who were closely related to the Maranao and Maguindanao groups. I'm wondering whether the Iban in Ibanumbali has a connection to the Iban people of Borneo, and that the weapon/blade has something to do with them (perhaps introduced via the Iranun who would have had direct contact with them). I know that sounds convoluted, but it is a thought that came to mind on seeing the term that you used.