Couple of Moro spears

Conogre · 21st April 2005, 07:14 AM

Very nice examples and the sold price of the 2nd one is enough to bring tears to the eye.

If shipped to the US intact, that brought it MUCH higher, I would suspect.
Mike

Bill · 21st April 2005, 12:21 PM

in both Cebu & Negros I have seen cheap, short iron spears for sale. Don't think they are for tourist & never got a good answer for what they were for. Kind of wish I had bought one, they were very cheap. Anyone know thier purpose?

Spunjer · 21st April 2005, 03:03 PM

bill,you're not talking about an indian pana, are you?

how big is this spear?

Bill · 21st April 2005, 05:39 PM

maybe 4.5', cheap iron head, saw them several times, 20 in a barrel, only 100 pesos, if I remember. can't figure them good for fighting or hunting.

Ian · 21st April 2005, 05:55 PM

Similar "Igorot" spears are all over Manila too. I think they are somewhat traditional styles made of inexpensive materials in a non-functional form for decorative purposes. There, I didn't even say the "T" word!

Ian.

Battara · 21st April 2005, 06:57 PM

Ian, I have now seen these show up at the gun shows. No patina on the shafts (or spear blades sometimes).

Federico · 22nd April 2005, 12:57 AM

The first one was interesting, at least to me, due to the intact butt spike. Regardless of it being new or old, that struck me as interesting. I am sure that is why it got so much attention.

The markings on the brass collar may indeed point to Bagabo origins, but I would caution against assuming brass collars in of in themselves point to lumad origins, as Ive encountered many Moro spears with brass collars. Brass was important in many Moro societies as a mark of status, hence the value of agong, betel cases, and brass lantaka. Good reference to the importance of brass can be found in A Moro Princess by Harriet Arnold Febiger

21st April 2005, 07:14 AM	#1
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	Very nice examples and the sold price of the 2nd one is enough to bring tears to the eye. If shipped to the US intact, that brought it MUCH higher, I would suspect. Mike

21st April 2005, 12:21 PM	#2
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	in both Cebu & Negros I have seen cheap, short iron spears for sale. Don't think they are for tourist & never got a good answer for what they were for. Kind of wish I had bought one, they were very cheap. Anyone know thier purpose?

21st April 2005, 03:03 PM	#3
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	bill,you're not talking about an indian pana, are you? how big is this spear?

21st April 2005, 05:39 PM	#4
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	maybe 4.5', cheap iron head, saw them several times, 20 in a barrel, only 100 pesos, if I remember. can't figure them good for fighting or hunting.

21st April 2005, 05:55 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,512	Similar "Igorot" spears are all over Manila too. I think they are somewhat traditional styles made of inexpensive materials in a non-functional form for decorative purposes. There, I didn't even say the "T" word! Ian.

21st April 2005, 06:57 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,342	Ian, I have now seen these show up at the gun shows. No patina on the shafts (or spear blades sometimes).

22nd April 2005, 12:57 AM	#7
Federico Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA Posts: 312	The first one was interesting, at least to me, due to the intact butt spike. Regardless of it being new or old, that struck me as interesting. I am sure that is why it got so much attention. The markings on the brass collar may indeed point to Bagabo origins, but I would caution against assuming brass collars in of in themselves point to lumad origins, as Ive encountered many Moro spears with brass collars. Brass was important in many Moro societies as a mark of status, hence the value of agong, betel cases, and brass lantaka. Good reference to the importance of brass can be found in A Moro Princess by Harriet Arnold Febiger