Palawan Badung

[xasterix]

I'm interested in the Badung, a Barung-like weapon which is endemic to Southern Palawan (an area that was once part of the Sulu Sultanate). While I've seen traces of the Palawan Badung in this forum (other members dub it as 'Palawan Barung'), I'm interested if there are other antiques of the Badung out there. The most telling difference of Badungs from Barungs include: a) unorthodox blade profile [usually comes in the form of an upturned tip], b) different ukkil features, c) different hilts / scabbards (badungs usually incorporate a rope that can be tied to the waste like Visayan blades). Hopefully some gracious people can share their Badung vintage or antique blades, and where they got it from.

To start off, I'll share a couple of pics of the Badung I know of. The first one is an antique, estimated a century old.

The second is recently-made by a famous blacksmith family in Southern Palawan.

The third is recently-made by a tribe known as the Palaw'an.

[Ian]

Xasterix:

You raise an interesting topic that I don't think we have addressed in detail here previously. First, can I ask where you have obtained this information--was it by visiting Palawan, talking with residents there, etc.? Also, how did you arrive at these distinctions for Palawano badung?

Here is one of mine that I have puzzled about for a while. It resembles somewhat the second example that you show. I believe it is late 20th C. manufacture. Note the painted end of the pommel.

Ian.
.

[Ian]

I have posted more examples previously that included barung from Palawan in the thread Modern Barung. Perhaps you could look at the examples posted there and provide your thoughts on which ones may be Palawano in origin. Also, the examples from N. Borneo that I posted in that thread show some of the characteristics that you attribute to Palawano badung.


Ian

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by Ian

I have posted more examples previously that included barung from Palawan in the thread Modern Barung. Perhaps you could look at the examples posted there and provide your thoughts on which ones may be Palawano in origin. Also, the examples from N. Borneo that I posted in that thread show some of the characteristics that you attribute to Palawano badung.


Ian

Hi sir Ian, thanks for your interest on this matter! I am fortunate to have blade expert friends- some who were previous members in this forum years ago. Regarding the badung, I get my info from a friend who lives in Palawan and has formed close friendships with various stakeholders who have badungs- tribesmen, traditional smiths, and antique collectors. The Facebook page known as "Filipino Traditional Blades" also provides a lot of info about badungs, among other traditional blades. These sources gave me a lot of material which, after thorough studying, made me realize that the blade profile, hilt, and rope scabbard are the major differences of the badung from the barung.

I am also into modern barungs, and it just happened that two trusted contacts- a Yakan weaver, and a former forum member- helped me to ascertain the Ukkil differences present in the scabbards.

In your previous post, I agree that on the first three leaf-shaped blades you featured, the second one is indeed a badung, while the other two are most likely of Maranao origin, having seen such blades a-plenty in Malate, Manila as display pieces. The Cuyo piece is indeed a badung, as well as the one with MOP inserts. The most telling indicator of a badung, in my opinion, is the upturned tip.

Am interesting theory I got from the Palawan-based smith who forged my vinewrapped badung (he calls it 'Pangutaran badung', Pangutaran is an island in Tawi Tawi area) was that the upturned tip was reserved for the bravest warriors.

Very interesting note you made there about the Sabah barungs. I shall consult this info with my friends as well, if you don't mind. We are all equally interested regarding the badung's origin- in fact, we acknowledge the possibility that it may be a seperate blade from the barung (and not merely an evolution of the latter).

[Ian]

Originally Posted by xasterix

Hi sir Ian, thanks for your interest on this matter! I am fortunate to have blade expert friends- some who were previous members in this forum years ago. Regarding the badung, I get my info from a friend who lives in Palawan and has formed close friendships with various stakeholders who have badungs- tribesmen, traditional smiths, and antique collectors.

I think these are important sources—thank you for sharing their information here.

The Facebook page known as "Filipino Traditional Blades" also provides a lot of info about badungs, among other traditional blades. These sources gave me a lot of material which, after thorough studying, made me realize that the blade profile, hilt, and rope scabbard are the major differences of the badung from the barung.

I am also into modern barungs, and it just happened that two trusted contacts- a Yakan weaver, and a former forum member- helped me to ascertain the Ukkil differences present in the scabbards.

Most interesting. Can you share some of the info your contacts passed on regarding the ukkil differences?

In your previous post, I agree that on the first three leaf-shaped blades you featured, the second one is indeed a badung, while the other two are most likely of Maranao origin, having seen such blades a-plenty in Malate, Manila as display pieces. The Cuyo piece is indeed a badung, as well as the one with MOP inserts. The most telling indicator of a badung, in my opinion, is the upturned tip.

The Cuyo piece is interesting as it comes from a different island group that is only administratively under Palawan. I'm told there is a substantial Visayan presence there nowadays.

Am interesting theory I got from the Palawan-based smith who forged my vinewrapped badung (he calls it 'Pangutaran badung', Pangutaran is an island in Tawi Tawi area) was that the upturned tip was reserved for the bravest warriors.

I've not heard that before.

Very interesting note you made there about the Sabah barungs. I shall consult this info with my friends as well, if you don't mind. We are all equally interested regarding the badung's origin- in fact, we acknowledge the possibility that it may be a seperate blade from the barung (and not merely an evolution of the latter).

Again, very interesting comments. From the few examples of badung on these pages, it seems that the blade is not as broad as most examples from the Sulu Archipelago, although some of the Maranao barung seem to be quite slim also. Jose (battara) has referred to these as sipput barung.

Ian.

[Ian]

As an aside, I have a particular interest in Palawan, having spent several months there in the early 2000's working on the problem of mercury pollution around the old Palawan Quicksilver Mine, which included mercury in fish in nearby Honda Bay. The mine is a short distance north of Puerto Princesa. Unfortunately, I did not see many edged weapons in my time there, although I did visit the sea caves at the north of the island and got to enjoy some of the wonderful beaches for swimming. Tried to avoid the local fish (too much mercury!).

Results of that work were published with John Gray, a friend from the US Geological Survey, and several Filipino collaborators (Environmental Geology (2003) 43:298–307). A copy of the original paper can be found here.

Ian.

[Spunjer]

Originally Posted by xasterix

The Facebook page known as "Filipino Traditional Blades" also provides a lot of info about badungs, among other traditional blades.

that page opened my eyes in regards to ilonggo blades. or any filipino blades for that matter. best kept secret regarding filipino weaponries

[Ian]

I agree Ron. Perhaps we could add this site to the list of resources posted on Vikingsword.

Ian

Originally Posted by Spunjer

that page opened my eyes in regards to ilonggo blades. or any filipino blades for that matter. best kept secret regarding filipino weaponries