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23rd November 2018, 05:48 PM | #1 |
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Palawan Badung
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. |
24th November 2018, 01:50 PM | #2 |
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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. . Last edited by Ian; 24th November 2018 at 02:13 PM. |
24th November 2018, 02:12 PM | #3 |
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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 |
25th November 2018, 07:12 AM | #4 | |
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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). Last edited by xasterix; 25th November 2018 at 07:56 AM. |
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26th November 2018, 03:53 AM | #5 | |||||
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Ian. |
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26th November 2018, 04:18 AM | #6 |
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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. |
26th November 2018, 10:55 PM | #7 | |
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that page opened my eyes in regards to ilonggo blades. or any filipino blades for that matter. best kept secret regarding filipino weaponries |
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26th November 2018, 11:03 PM | #8 | |
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I agree Ron. Perhaps we could add this site to the list of resources posted on Vikingsword.
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