Go on... show us your Barung!!!

[Battara]

Here are some pre-restoration pictures of the pommel.

[kai]

Hello Jose,

Thanks for the resto details - well done!

Regarding attribution, this style of barong (and especially the okir) are Maranao. There are some other examples (which I would have to look up). It is true that the Maranao are not generally known for their barongs, I think this is a later development, like in the early 20th century. Is the blade Maranao or Sulu? - will have to look into that.

Any additional insight appreciated - especially pics of any relatively early examples!

The late 20th/21st century "barong" from Marawi seem quite aimed at the international collector's market including local antique and curio/souvenir shops (as is much of the other blade production as well).

These latter examples usually seem to come with blades resembling the Palawan version rather than traditional Sulu shapes. Given the diversity of antique Moro blades, it would be good to establish if there possibly were any indigeneous barung-like blades around in Maranao or Maguindanao cultures, too.

Regards,
Kai

[Indio_Ira]

Originally Posted by Battara

Here are some pre-restoration pictures of the pommel.

Wow, thank you for sharing this! You did a great job with the restoration.

It was my first Barong so I am very happy with it.

[Ian]

Indio_Ira,

I think your blade is of Sulu manufacture but the dress is distinctly Maranao in the style of silverwork on the hilt and the composition of the scabbard. The Sulu origin of the blade can be deduced from the area of maximum width of the blade (shown by the rectangular outline on the attached picture), which less than halfway towards the tip. Blades from Palawan and Zamboanga have more distal areas of maximum width. The different geometries confer different handling characteristics.

Ian

[CharlesS]

These are my two latest...

[Indio_Ira]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

These are my two latest...

Awesome pieces!! Specially the ivory ball pommel hilt.

What’s the provenance of the top Barong with a larger width blade?

[kino]

Charles, that faceted hilt is uncommon, very nice. What’s even better is the scabbard, amazing wood grain. What’s on the reverse side of the scabbard?

[CharlesS]

Originally Posted by Indio_Ira

What’s the provenance of the top Barong with a larger width blade?

Generally when I see octagonal hilts and ferrules I think of Sulu, but I have also learned not to be to "rules" oriented when identifying a piece's origin.

[CharlesS]

Originally Posted by kino

Charles, that faceted hilt is uncommon, very nice. What’s even better is the scabbard, amazing wood grain. What’s on the reverse side of the scabbard?

I agree Kino. The reverse side is the same. I am travelling at the moment and will confirm that when I get home.

[CharlesS]

Originally Posted by Indio_Ira

Awesome pieces!! Specially the ivory ball pommel hilt.

A ball pommel barong had been on my wish list for 20 years. I knew they existed, though quite rare. I even had trouble convincing some collectors that they did exist. This one, being with that hilt, is just that much more special. The balance and heft of the piece is amazing. It is very heavy. The scabbard is made for it, but is later to the barong.

Now there is one more style of ball pommel barong on my list...

[kai]

Hello Charles,

Congrats on 2 nice acquisitions!

A ball pommel barong had been on my wish list for 20 years. I knew they existed, though quite rare. I even had trouble convincing some collectors that they did exist. This one, being with that hilt, is just that much more special. The balance and heft of the piece is amazing. It is very heavy. The scabbard is made for it, but is later to the barong.

Certainly looks like quite a beast - what are the dimensions and weight?

I have no qualms about this blade originating from the 19th century; the scabbard certainly is a much later replacement (apparently of really nice quality though!).

Regards,
Kai

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

These are my two latest...

Both are beautiful and very rare Charles, congrats!

Regards,
Detlef

[kino]

A Barung that has a similar pommel construction to IndioIra’s. The dovetailed crest reminds me of a Torogan’s panolong

[Battara]

Kai that tail okir is Maranao.

Very nice.

[kino]

Originally Posted by Battara

that tail okir is Maranao.

Makes sense, the Torogan that I'm referring to is in Maranao territory.

[chmorshuutz]

Not very fancy looking, but I like this one from Sulu.

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by chmorshuutz

Not very fancy looking, but I like this one from Sulu.

A modern one, looks really good. Made by my friends from a Sulu outfit, I'm guessing.

[xasterix]

I found an old barung with missing pommel and scabbard. I decided to have it re-made by pandays and artisans from Patikul, Sulu. I'm pleased with the final product; it's the perfect melding of old + new craftmanship.

[Ian]

Lovely refit Xas. That is also a beautiful etch on the blade too.


A fully authentic Sulu barung, with modern fittings!

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by Ian

Lovely refit Xas. That is also a beautiful etch on the blade too.


A fully authentic Sulu barung, with modern fittings!

Thanks very much Ian! Very difficult not to accumulate leaf-shaped blades...barungs are like relentlessly-growing leaves in a tree!

[kino]

Xas, what type of wood is the pommel carved from?

Echoing Ian's comment on the blades etching.

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by kino

Xas, what type of wood is the pommel carved from?

Echoing Ian's comment on the blades etching.

Hi Albert! It's the usual bunti / banati

[gp]

first time I read the title "Go on... show us your Barung!!! "....


my first thoughts where, where did a decent christian guy like me end up...?
between a bunch of perverts....
or ruffians....?

luckily I recognized a few names of decent lads and the pics shown were OK !

Question I have is :

what attracks you to a barong ?
why do you like it and what about it you like ?


FYI: I am from the Netherlands or Holland if you like and by tradition or better due to historical ties we do have a certain affinity with the kris.
Both peoples : Indonesian decent and also Dutch, us Cloggies thus like the kris
Not only as a cold weapon as such and the historical part, but also due to its mystical, spiritual nature.
Noticing that most of you do not have that personal and or historical tie with the barong country/ countries, I am curious what attracts you to it?
No disrespect nor offence intended ...

BR

Gunar

[Rick]

Hi, US here,
Have you forgotten the Philippine Revolution at the end of the Span-AM war?
IIRC America was quite involved in the Philippines during that time; and shortly thereafter in WWII.
Americans have those historical ties to the Islands. Three of my ancestors were there over that span of time; one died there somewhere in the wilds of Mindanao.

Fatal beauty.
A Barung is a very efficient tool for separating people from their limbs; they were used for that purpose back then. Some of the simple real antique ones have a certain feeling when you hold them, almost like they're old veterans that have stories to tell could we only hear them.

[Ian]

Gunar,

Rick has pointed to the historical connection between the US and the Philippines. The US had a lot of trouble with the Moros in the southern parts of the country after "inheriting" ownership of the islands in 1899. Not just the Moros, but with unhappy residents throughout the islands. However, the Moros were the most troublesome and conflicts continued for another 15 years or so. There was a respect for the Moros and their weapons. The barung was perhaps the most feared weapon as it was more easily concealed than the kris, and often used by juramentados for magsabil or "honor attacks" against the enemy.

Many Moro and other Philippine weapons have found their way to the US, often brought back by US servicemen who continued to be stationed in the Philippines after Philippine independence following WWII. The eruption of Mt Pinatubo in 1991 damaged Clark AFB and the neighboring Subic Bay Naval Base, and finally led to US military withdrawal from the islands.

Much like the Dutch experience in Indonesia, there remains an interest in things Filipino in the US, and of course we have a sizeable Filipino community living here.

As Rick noted too, the barung is of interest to collectors for its functional aspects. When wielding it, it is easy to feel the power that a blow from one of these blades would unleash, while some simple cutting tests reveal it to be an awesome weapon.

[Rick]

Originally Posted by Ian

As Rick noted too, the barung is of interest to collectors for its functional aspects. When wielding it, it is easy to feel the power that a blow from one of these blades would unleash, while some simple cutting tests reveal it to be an awesome weapon.

Yes, I have a vintage photo of the loser of a fight which I will spare the membership from seeing, he looks like a doll that has been disassembled.

[Battara]

Long ago I almost used 1890 fighting barong (my first antique piece) in defending my wife and myself against someone who I thought would break down our door. Fortunately (for him) he did not come through. The width of the barong allows the blade to cut through anything.

[kronckew]

Originally Posted by Battara

... The width of the barong allows the blade to cut through anything.

I like your anecdote.


An anecdote from a US Officer during the Moro Rebellion, early 1900's told the tale of a Jurementado (Moro suicide assassin high on ganja) who surprised a patrol and cut a soldier in half with his sword after being shot with the guy's krag. The officer emptied his issue .38 into the Moro who finally succumbed withing inches of being able to kill him. The sword was not a Kris or kampilan, but a barung. After many close calls in that war, the US shifted away from the 9mm(.355in.) range of available weapons to the bigger .45 cal. ones, winding up with the colt model 1911 .45acp, which is still in service with those in the know, the bean counters who haven't read the history books prefer the 9mm, but the special forces choice is frequently the .45acp 1911. During the Moro thingy, many soldiers wrote their families and asked to have a .45 long colt revolver sent to them. During the recent brouhaha in the Middle East many soldiers wrote home to have their families send them a .45acp 1911.


My Visayan barung (bottom, post 49 above) also lives on a wardrobe shelf near the bedroom door, justincase. When I lived in the states a 1911 was closer. Not allowed to have one here in the UK, so I make do with the next best thing, a sharp pointy.

[Rick]

JUNGLE PATROL by Vic Hurley is full of anecdotes from that era. It's about the Philippine Constabulary. Last published in 1938 I believe.

[kino]

Originally Posted by xasterix

Hi Albert! It's the usual bunti / banati

Thanks Xas. I had a feeling it was but wasn’t sure.