moro pira elongated pommel for discussion

Pinoy Blade Hunter · 9th April 2018, 01:49 PM

I have recently had a modern Pira Yakan commisioned, from a smith in southern Palawan Philippines.

The smith is said to be from a family of generations of smiths, coming from Mindanao and sailed to southern parts of Palawan (which is very near Mindanao).

The blade part is of the modern variation of the Pira, but the handle part is made like the older traditions, with the elongated pommel/ prong.

question: what was the elongated pommel's purpose, does anybody know? (the smiths do not know why anymore, and actually they have not done it in a very long time. we just requested them to do it in this build.

Rick · 10th April 2018, 11:20 PM

Cato says that the elongated pommel was to protect the wrist from possibly disabling cuts.

Ian · 11th April 2018, 08:56 AM

Hi PBH:

As you likely know, the pira was mainly a Yakan weapon. This elongated protrusion from the end of the hilt is peculiarly Yakan and has been noted on some kakatua barung hilts as well. I have yet to see it ascribed to a kris hilt, although there may be rare examples out there. I have heard of an example of this feature on a bangkung, but have not seen one.

Rick's comment accurately reflects Cato's opinion, and I don't know of any other authority who has commented on its purpose. An alternative view might be that this is simply a Yakan ornamentation that had no specific purpose, or at least no purpose in recent times.

Your exposure to local panday is more likely to lead to an answer than any source here. If your panday don't know, then that says a lot about the place of elongated hilts within the culture--simply a remnant of times past.

Ian.

KuKulzA28 · 15th April 2018, 08:15 AM

In addition to wrist protection it makes canting the wrist awkward. I believe, like in kris/sundang with similar (but smaller) protrusions, it encourages a certain hand hold when cutting, likely the more ideal grip.

So it would seem to me the pira is not used with say a quick chop and flick of wrist - cause the handle forbids it, rather it has you keep the wrist more solid as you cut through - more slice worked into the cut from the arm/arm and body ...as opposed to a quick chop from the wrist.

9th April 2018, 01:49 PM	#1
Pinoy Blade Hunter Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 62	moro pira elongated pommel for discussion I have recently had a modern Pira Yakan commisioned, from a smith in southern Palawan Philippines. The smith is said to be from a family of generations of smiths, coming from Mindanao and sailed to southern parts of Palawan (which is very near Mindanao). The blade part is of the modern variation of the Pira, but the handle part is made like the older traditions, with the elongated pommel/ prong. question: what was the elongated pommel's purpose, does anybody know? (the smiths do not know why anymore, and actually they have not done it in a very long time. we just requested them to do it in this build. Attached Images

10th April 2018, 11:20 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,290	Cato says that the elongated pommel was to protect the wrist from possibly disabling cuts.

11th April 2018, 08:56 AM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,194	Hi PBH: As you likely know, the pira was mainly a Yakan weapon. This elongated protrusion from the end of the hilt is peculiarly Yakan and has been noted on some kakatua barung hilts as well. I have yet to see it ascribed to a kris hilt, although there may be rare examples out there. I have heard of an example of this feature on a bangkung, but have not seen one. Rick's comment accurately reflects Cato's opinion, and I don't know of any other authority who has commented on its purpose. An alternative view might be that this is simply a Yakan ornamentation that had no specific purpose, or at least no purpose in recent times. Your exposure to local panday is more likely to lead to an answer than any source here. If your panday don't know, then that says a lot about the place of elongated hilts within the culture--simply a remnant of times past. Ian.

15th April 2018, 08:15 AM	#4
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	In addition to wrist protection it makes canting the wrist awkward. I believe, like in kris/sundang with similar (but smaller) protrusions, it encourages a certain hand hold when cutting, likely the more ideal grip. So it would seem to me the pira is not used with say a quick chop and flick of wrist - cause the handle forbids it, rather it has you keep the wrist more solid as you cut through - more slice worked into the cut from the arm/arm and body ...as opposed to a quick chop from the wrist.