Clan totem?

Jens Nordlunde · 24th February 2005, 06:39 PM

Yes, as you can see from my post - I am more than lost, but it is an interesting thing, and I would not be surprised if it is a tribal mark.

Regards

Jens

tom hyle · 25th February 2005, 01:23 AM

This is from Luzon. From the highland/northern "Igorot" people. I forget what it is called. The handle is a hollow socket, and supposedly they are used as spears in hunting, as well as as dagger/knives. There is another type with the same handle but an SE angled "bolo" blade, too. Recycled hoof rasps are a common material for these. Yours doesn't look that way though.

John · 25th February 2005, 02:20 AM

The carved animal is a lizard. I see these creatures everyday at home on ceilings and walls as they look for mosquitos to feed on. The Malays call it "cicak".

Andrew · 25th February 2005, 04:55 AM

It also looks exactly like the small, flat, nocturnal gecko-like lizards that infest my area.

Ian · 25th February 2005, 05:17 AM

Tim:

Tom has identified the knife -- it is a hinalung from one of the Igorot tribes in Northern Luzon. The other form he referred to is called pinahig. Both of these were discussed in an article on the old EEWRS and can be found here: http://www.vikingsword.com/ethsword/ifugao/index.html

The open-faced scabbard is called a hikot.

John has identified the lizard that is most likely represented on the sheath.

A full description of the item, with reference material, in just over 12 hours since posting. The resources on this site are pretty darn good!

Tim Simmons · 25th February 2005, 04:46 PM

Thankyou gentlemen,to know the carving is a "cicak" is great. Little details make a whole picture.Does anyone know of any cultural reason for using a cicak or is it simply just decoration.Tim.

Conogre · 25th February 2005, 06:38 PM

While totemic figures usually have some significance, most of the lizards I've seen carved into items from Luzon seem to be newer and quite likely tourist oriented, thus I suspect that these are largely just for decorative purposes.
In some older tribal religions the lizards play a part similar to Loki in Viking mythology and the raven in many Amerindian myths, that of a joker or trickster based upon its ability to be unseen...now you see it, now you don't, thus the ideal "spy of the Gods".

24th February 2005, 06:39 PM	#1
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Yes, as you can see from my post - I am more than lost, but it is an interesting thing, and I would not be surprised if it is a tribal mark. Regards Jens

25th February 2005, 01:23 AM	#2
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	This is from Luzon. From the highland/northern "Igorot" people. I forget what it is called. The handle is a hollow socket, and supposedly they are used as spears in hunting, as well as as dagger/knives. There is another type with the same handle but an SE angled "bolo" blade, too. Recycled hoof rasps are a common material for these. Yours doesn't look that way though.

25th February 2005, 02:20 AM	#3
John Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Land below the wind Posts: 135	The carved animal is a lizard. I see these creatures everyday at home on ceilings and walls as they look for mosquitos to feed on. The Malays call it "cicak".

25th February 2005, 04:55 AM	#4
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	It also looks exactly like the small, flat, nocturnal gecko-like lizards that infest my area.

25th February 2005, 05:17 AM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,450	Tim: Tom has identified the knife -- it is a hinalung from one of the Igorot tribes in Northern Luzon. The other form he referred to is called pinahig. Both of these were discussed in an article on the old EEWRS and can be found here: http://www.vikingsword.com/ethsword/ifugao/index.html The open-faced scabbard is called a hikot. John has identified the lizard that is most likely represented on the sheath. A full description of the item, with reference material, in just over 12 hours since posting. The resources on this site are pretty darn good!

25th February 2005, 04:46 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	Thankyou gentlemen,to know the carving is a "cicak" is great. Little details make a whole picture.Does anyone know of any cultural reason for using a cicak or is it simply just decoration.Tim.

25th February 2005, 06:38 PM	#7
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	While totemic figures usually have some significance, most of the lizards I've seen carved into items from Luzon seem to be newer and quite likely tourist oriented, thus I suspect that these are largely just for decorative purposes. In some older tribal religions the lizards play a part similar to Loki in Viking mythology and the raven in many Amerindian myths, that of a joker or trickster based upon its ability to be unseen...now you see it, now you don't, thus the ideal "spy of the Gods".