Moro Spearhead, but from what Battle?

drac2k · 24th May 2024, 02:17 PM

Actually, I wish that I had remembered this earlier;Rsword sold an interesting set of Moro spearheads that came in a wooden box, specifically carved for them.This might reinforce(just a little), my theory of Moro spearheads being kept apart from the hafts unless needed.
It would be great if he still had the pictures and he could repost them here.

kai · 24th May 2024, 11:31 PM

The vast majority of Moro spear heads does come fitted with shafts (often cut for making overseas export feasible) or remnants of fittings/resin.

Moro settlements were prone to raids and skirmishes. Weapons needed to be instantaneously at hand. Additional makeshift weapons (e.g. sharpened green bamboo) may be added on short notice, too. However selecting and curing suitable timber/rattan utilized for regular spear heads is a lengthy process.

Regards,
Kai

Ian · 25th May 2024, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drac2k

Actually, I wish that I had remembered this earlier;Rsword sold an interesting set of Moro spearheads that came in a wooden box, specifically carved for them.This might reinforce(just a little), my theory of Moro spearheads being kept apart from the hafts unless needed.
It would be great if he still had the pictures and he could repost them here.

Drac, I suspect those were family heirlooms at one time, maybe pusaka handed down through several generations, and not intended for further use. As kai also notes, Moros kept their combat weapons at the ready.

wildwolberine · 9th June 2024, 04:25 PM

For those who might be interested, the 2024 book “Massacre in the Clouds: An American atrocity and the erasure of history” by Kim Wagner is about Bud Dajo.

Battara · 11th June 2024, 07:22 PM

Thank you for the reference Woldwolverine.

Another thought is that the American soldiers coming back from the Moro Wars often broke the shafts to fit into their foot lockers. Thus many burials have a blade and half or less of the haft intact. This may be one of those.

That being said, I love the okir work on the scabbard. From the okir work, I can tell it is from the Maguindanao or less likely but possibly Maranao).

Both groups are from Mindanao.

Rarely do you find scabbards that survive, much less those with well carved okir on them.

24th May 2024, 02:17 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,217	Actually, I wish that I had remembered this earlier;Rsword sold an interesting set of Moro spearheads that came in a wooden box, specifically carved for them.This might reinforce(just a little), my theory of Moro spearheads being kept apart from the hafts unless needed. It would be great if he still had the pictures and he could repost them here.

24th May 2024, 11:31 PM	#2
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,252	The vast majority of Moro spear heads does come fitted with shafts (often cut for making overseas export feasible) or remnants of fittings/resin. Moro settlements were prone to raids and skirmishes. Weapons needed to be instantaneously at hand. Additional makeshift weapons (e.g. sharpened green bamboo) may be added on short notice, too. However selecting and curing suitable timber/rattan utilized for regular spear heads is a lengthy process. Regards, Kai

9th June 2024, 04:25 PM	#4
wildwolberine Member Join Date: May 2023 Location: San Antonio Posts: 105	For those who might be interested, the 2024 book “Massacre in the Clouds: An American atrocity and the erasure of history” by Kim Wagner is about Bud Dajo.

11th June 2024, 07:22 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,200	Thank you for the reference Woldwolverine. Another thought is that the American soldiers coming back from the Moro Wars often broke the shafts to fit into their foot lockers. Thus many burials have a blade and half or less of the haft intact. This may be one of those. That being said, I love the okir work on the scabbard. From the okir work, I can tell it is from the Maguindanao or less likely but possibly Maranao). Both groups are from Mindanao. Rarely do you find scabbards that survive, much less those with well carved okir on them.