Show us your Maguindanao panabas

[xasterix]

Greetings, in the tradition of the other "show us..." threads, was curious how many members have panabas. To start off, here's mine. 17-inch blade, 14.5-inch handle. There are geometric patterns on the handle that provide a secure grip. Thickest part of spine is 0.5 inches or 1.27 cm. Looking forward to seeing more panabas, TIA!

[kai]

Hello Xas, that begs the question: How do you differentiate between panabas of Maguindanao vs Maranao origin? Thanks in advance!

Regards,
Kai

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by kai

Hello Xas, that begs the question: How do you differentiate between panabas of Maguindanao vs Maranao origin? Thanks in advance!

Regards,
Kai

Hello Kai,

To my understanding, panabas is endemic to the Maguindanaons- the Maranaons don't produce it, except for tourist versions which can be differentiated by its over-intricacy, both in blade and fittings. The Maguindanaons even up to the present time retain knowledge of the panabas and the terms associated with it- warfare, duelling, execution, etc. In period pics, it was always the Maguindanaon datus who used kris, kampilan, and panabas as badges of office.

Hope this clears up things.

[kai]

Thanks, Xas, that makes things easier!

BTW, Cato does mention Maranao names for panabas parts - so, these would be later adapted or spurious? No need to dwell on the modern repros, indeed...

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

To start things off, here a few examples I'm currently taking care of:

(Pics courtesy of Gavin & Oliver)

[Interested Party]

Are these related to what Van Zonneveld called "stick swords" from Flores?

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by kai

Thanks, Xas, that makes things easier!

BTW, Cato does mention Maranao names for panabas parts - so, these would be later adapted or spurious? No need to dwell on the modern repros, indeed...

Regards,
Kai

Hi Kai, the probable reason for this is because the Maranao and Maguindanao language are closely linked together; they come from the same root. The Maranao made tourist versions of the panabas, but up to present time, the Maguindanao pandays still make the 'real' panabas for agricultural use. It's a no-frills and usually smaller version of the old panabas, direct to the point.

[carlos]

Another example more ...

[mross]

Decided to a jump in on this and add to the reference photos.

[RobT]

Hi All,

Here are my two. The haft on the Padsumbalin appears to have been taken from a hatchet. There is a small, round, copper token (stamped 343) attached to the haft. A former item from military stores that found a home in civilian life perhaps? The blade is a bit loose in the haft (especially in winter) and it may have had an additional steel ferrule at the very top.

Sincerely,
RobT

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by mross

Decided to a jump in on this and add to the reference photos.

Nice panabas! I'm inclined to think the two larger ones are about the same age as mine. I've not encountered the small one that much, but I read somewhere else in this forum that it's supposedly an older version. There were reproductions of it that have been sold in Mindanao until the 90s.