Old Photo of Philippines "Bolo Maker"

[Dimasalang]

Originally Posted by Battara

Ashoka - an unusual piece. Usually I see these wavy blades from the Visayas or the Ilocanos. Cavite is far from both. Hmm.......

Interesting... That is with out a doubt a Cavite sword. The Revolution started in Manila on August 23, 1896. August 30 is the official date Cavite joined the revolution.

Undoubtedly with the differences we see in all the swords of this era, many had to be custom made for individuals. This being a quality piece, I would definitely say it was made for a high ranking individual in the Katipunan. There were only two Katipunan factions in Cavite; the Magdalo(Emilio Aguinaldos group) and the Magdiwang(Mariano Alvarezs group). Both were rivals to one another(The Supremo Andres Bonifacio was associated and accepted with the Magdiwang). The wavy blade is obviously of Ilocos or south Philippines, so it is very odd to see this coming from Cavite. But there was a famous Ilocano hero who achieved a high ranked status in Cavite during the revolution, his name is Artemio Ricarte(El Vibora - the Viper). Ricarte was born in Ilocos Norte and later resided in Cavite as a school teacher prior to the revolution. And interestingly enough, he was accepted and affiliated with both Katipunan groups of Cavite...it was well known Aguinaldo gave gifts to high ranked officers of his rival(the Magdiwang) in order for them to switch sides. Ricarte was a Magdiwang member Aguinaldo highly sought. During the Tejeros Convention in 1897(which was made up of nearly all Cavitenos and heavily Magdalo influenced), Ricarte(the only Ilocano) was elected Captain-General of the Army...which is a extremely high position for a outsider, and I would say is a position higher then the Supremo Andres Bonifacio(elected Director of Interior). This elected position for Ricarte shows the love and high respect they all had for Ricarte. Well anyways, not saying this could be Ricartes sword, but you can see the possibility of how a Ilocano style blade could of been custom made for a Ilocano rebel in Cavite. Also worth mentioning, during this era, more particularly in Luzon then in the deep south, many families moved and resided in other regions. It was not uncommon to see Tagalogs living in Ilocos region or Ilocanos in Tagalog territory...so this could just very well be a sword made by a Cavite smith who wanted to replicate a Ilocano blade. But I still would like to believe it was made for El Vibora.

[Battara]

Fascinating and very helpful Dimasalang. Answers a lot of things. This does look more Ilocano than Visayan or Moro.

Maraming Salamat.

[ThePepperSkull]

I second that. Maraming Salamat Po!

That was a very informative read.

[migueldiaz]

Originally Posted by Dimasalang

Interesting... That is with out a doubt a Cavite sword. The Revolution started in Manila on August 23, 1896. August 30 is the official date Cavite joined the revolution ... The wavy blade is obviously of Ilocos or south Philippines, so it is very odd to see this coming from Cavite. But there was a famous Ilocano hero who achieved a high ranked status in Cavite during the revolution, his name is Artemio Ricarte (El Vibora - the Viper) ...

The "Viper" ... and a wavy (naga) blade ... makes a lot of sense!

Dimasalang, if all Phil. history professors recount the past like you do, then this school subject will not be boring at all

[ashoka]

!! that is what I call background knowledge..! thanks Dimasalang that is fascinating information. On the other side of the blade is carved 'Kalayaan'?

[Dimasalang]

Thanks everybody...glad I could be of some help.

Originally Posted by ashoka

!! that is what I call background knowledge..! thanks Dimasalang that is fascinating information. On the other side of the blade is carved 'Kalayaan'?

Sweet! Kalayaan is Tagalog for independence, liberty, and freedom.

This is why I love this place! Thank you all for sharing these images and your own personal pieces with us...much of them being some serious pieces of Philippine history. Where else on earth am I going to view prime examples and artifacts of my own people. Most of us wouldn't even know these fine blades existed!

[Battara]

This piece is a good evidence that the fist form is a Katipunan symbol (though depending upon the style and quality of the carving).

[migueldiaz]

Originally Posted by Battara

This piece is a good evidence that the fist form is a Katipunan symbol (though depending upon the style and quality of the carving).

At Museo del Ejercito in Toledo, Spain, there's a Katipunan banner with this image -- two arms shown just from the elbow to the hands; one is holding a blade, and the other is holding by the hair a severed head of what looks a Caucasian (full beard, etc.); the two hands were depicted as a closed fist, especially the one holding the decapitated head by its hair. Thus perhaps (but am just speculating), the closed fist pommel design is related to this Katipunan imagery.

[Battara]

Yes I know the picture and found it in an old book on the PI. This is the reason I first thought that the fist was a sign of the Katipunan. Recently I found out that members would identify themselves to each other in the street with a fist to the chest.

[migueldiaz]

If you'll have the chance to see that pic again, can you please post it here? Thanks