A Moro Spear?

efrahjalt · 6th February 2022, 06:39 AM

Hi all,

I just added this to my collection and thought I would share, and ask for confirmation on my attribution. Based on the split flourish at the base of the blade I think this can be attributed to the Moro culture. I'm fairly new to spears in this area so I wouldn't be surprised to be wrong. Does it make sense to label it Moro?

Here it is. It's 2.26m long total, and the blade is 33CM from the tip to the brass ferrule. The shaft is beautifully carved palm wood starting out at about 21mm at the head and tapering evenly to about 14mm at the butt. The butt has a brass ferrule, so I'm quite sure it is full length (a rarity in my experience with spears). Just behind the balance point there is a brass ring and if you hold the spear at that point it begs you to throw it. The thought, however, makes me realize how little I know. for instance, how were these used? Were they even thrown at all? Anyway, here are the pictures. Any comments or corrections are welcome.

Battara · 7th February 2022, 12:44 AM

I would agree that this could easily be a Moro budiak or spear. A little unusual to have this kind of engraving into the blade, but the blade shape and ferrule might point to possibly Sulu region. Perhaps 1910s?

Sajen · 7th February 2022, 11:09 PM

Very interesting Moro spear!

efrahjalt · 8th February 2022, 04:04 PM

Thanks for the comments! The Sulu theory is intriguing. I found a blade with similar engraving at one point except that it had silver inlay in the decoration. Unfortunately I can't find that example at the moment. Would love to find a parallel to compare with. I'll post it here when I find it again.

Rick · 8th February 2022, 06:07 PM

Similar work.

Battara · 9th February 2022, 01:29 AM

I base this theory on the ferrule type used on this spear. I think both Sulu and Maguindanao tribes used blade engraving (see Rick's Maguindanao kris example).

Rick · 9th February 2022, 02:49 AM

Both were probably made around the same time; my guess would be mid 20thC.
IIRC there is a Panabas with the same kind of decoration lurking somewhere in the archives.

6th February 2022, 06:39 AM	#1
efrahjalt Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Posts: 40	A Moro Spear? Hi all, I just added this to my collection and thought I would share, and ask for confirmation on my attribution. Based on the split flourish at the base of the blade I think this can be attributed to the Moro culture. I'm fairly new to spears in this area so I wouldn't be surprised to be wrong. Does it make sense to label it Moro? Here it is. It's 2.26m long total, and the blade is 33CM from the tip to the brass ferrule. The shaft is beautifully carved palm wood starting out at about 21mm at the head and tapering evenly to about 14mm at the butt. The butt has a brass ferrule, so I'm quite sure it is full length (a rarity in my experience with spears). Just behind the balance point there is a brass ring and if you hold the spear at that point it begs you to throw it. The thought, however, makes me realize how little I know. for instance, how were these used? Were they even thrown at all? Anyway, here are the pictures. Any comments or corrections are welcome. Attached Images

8th February 2022, 06:07 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Similar work. Attached Images

7th February 2022, 12:44 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	I would agree that this could easily be a Moro budiak or spear. A little unusual to have this kind of engraving into the blade, but the blade shape and ferrule might point to possibly Sulu region. Perhaps 1910s?

7th February 2022, 11:09 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	Very interesting Moro spear!

8th February 2022, 04:04 PM	#4
efrahjalt Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Posts: 40	Thanks for the comments! The Sulu theory is intriguing. I found a blade with similar engraving at one point except that it had silver inlay in the decoration. Unfortunately I can't find that example at the moment. Would love to find a parallel to compare with. I'll post it here when I find it again.

9th February 2022, 01:29 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	I base this theory on the ferrule type used on this spear. I think both Sulu and Maguindanao tribes used blade engraving (see Rick's Maguindanao kris example).

9th February 2022, 02:49 AM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Both were probably made around the same time; my guess would be mid 20thC. IIRC there is a Panabas with the same kind of decoration lurking somewhere in the archives.