ART IN FORGED STEEL: A Yakan Moro Twistcore Barong/Barung

CharlesS · 7th June 2022, 12:21 AM

Gentlemen,
Thank you all for your very kind words. This is a very special piece for me and I feel very fortunate to have it. Thanks again for your input and insights.

xasterix · 7th June 2022, 12:12 PM

Definitely one of the best barungs I've ever seen.

However, I'm not sure if it was made by the Yakan.

SanibelSwassa · 8th June 2022, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Gentlemen,
Thank you all for your very kind words. This is a very special piece for me and I feel very fortunate to have it. Thanks again for your input and insights.

Charles,

That is an incredible find!!! Congratulations and glad it has found a good home.

Battara · 9th June 2022, 01:41 AM

On the one hand I see Charles' point of the horn punto sleeve being Yakan, and yet on the other hand the pommel is shorter than the usual Yakan barung pommel.

Hmmm..........

xasterix · 9th June 2022, 02:52 AM

To elaborate on my previous assertion that it may not be Yakan:

Estimating place of origin or ethno group without verified provenance is a tricky business. Consider the following:

a) Not to belittle Cato or his research, but how many provenanced pre-1900 Yakan samples did he really encounter? Was there a commonality between features of pieces from a particular era? Remember- PH and Moro sword features vary per era, sometimes a later era radically departs in features as compared to the previous one.

b) Swords sometimes end up in places far away from their origin location or ethno group The possibilities are diverse- they may have been looted from the enemy (remember, the Tausug and the Yakan were at conflict pre-1900), stolen/smuggled/bought from the original location/ethno tribe, inherited due to intermarriage, left behind by a traveler, etc

c) This is often missed: a sword is an assembled piece. PH and Moro swords in particular can be disassembled, pieces replaced or swapped, either during a previous or current era. Some collectors have done this. In assessing a piece- how can we tell if it's "pure?" Would, say, having a Yakan blade but with a Tausug hilt and scabbard and assembled in Jolo- would you call the barung as "Yakan?"

d) In reading Cato's reference and others- there was no in-depth assessment of the Yakans' smithing / artisanship capabilities at certain eras. In the Sulu area, the Tausugs' (and to some extent, the Sama) are documented- sword production locations, smithing traditions, artisan craftmanship, materials, and practices, etc. But with regard to the Yakan, there's no mention in formal documentation- thankfully there's still oral tradition to go by.

TBH, most of the barungs that are supposedly "Yakan" in this forum are actually not so.

Sorry I can't divulge more at this point, as I respect the wishes of a Yakan culture-bearer that he be the one to formally publish the information- but just to emphasize, my points above must be considered before reaching a conclusion.

9th June 2022, 02:52 AM	#5
xasterix Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 598	To elaborate on my previous assertion that it may not be Yakan: Estimating place of origin or ethno group without verified provenance is a tricky business. Consider the following: a) Not to belittle Cato or his research, but how many provenanced pre-1900 Yakan samples did he really encounter? Was there a commonality between features of pieces from a particular era? Remember- PH and Moro sword features vary per era, sometimes a later era radically departs in features as compared to the previous one. b) Swords sometimes end up in places far away from their origin location or ethno group The possibilities are diverse- they may have been looted from the enemy (remember, the Tausug and the Yakan were at conflict pre-1900), stolen/smuggled/bought from the original location/ethno tribe, inherited due to intermarriage, left behind by a traveler, etc c) This is often missed: a sword is an assembled piece. PH and Moro swords in particular can be disassembled, pieces replaced or swapped, either during a previous or current era. Some collectors have done this. In assessing a piece- how can we tell if it's "pure?" Would, say, having a Yakan blade but with a Tausug hilt and scabbard and assembled in Jolo- would you call the barung as "Yakan?" d) In reading Cato's reference and others- there was no in-depth assessment of the Yakans' smithing / artisanship capabilities at certain eras. In the Sulu area, the Tausugs' (and to some extent, the Sama) are documented- sword production locations, smithing traditions, artisan craftmanship, materials, and practices, etc. But with regard to the Yakan, there's no mention in formal documentation- thankfully there's still oral tradition to go by. TBH, most of the barungs that are supposedly "Yakan" in this forum are actually not so. Sorry I can't divulge more at this point, as I respect the wishes of a Yakan culture-bearer that he be the one to formally publish the information- but just to emphasize, my points above must be considered before reaching a conclusion. Last edited by xasterix; 9th June 2022 at 03:05 AM.

7th June 2022, 12:21 AM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	Gentlemen, Thank you all for your very kind words. This is a very special piece for me and I feel very fortunate to have it. Thanks again for your input and insights.

7th June 2022, 12:12 PM	#2
xasterix Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 598	Definitely one of the best barungs I've ever seen. However, I'm not sure if it was made by the Yakan.

9th June 2022, 01:41 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	On the one hand I see Charles' point of the horn punto sleeve being Yakan, and yet on the other hand the pommel is shorter than the usual Yakan barung pommel. Hmmm..........