New Info on Panay Sandukos

Battara · 31st May 2010, 09:17 PM

The following information comes from Nacho who works with the Iloilo Museum on the island of Panay, Philippines. He has done interviews and research with the descendants whose ancestors and tribe made these wonderful pieces of work. I thank Nacho (and Migueldiaz) for their help and passing this research on to me and the rest of us (by Nacho's permission).

The term "sanduko" is actually a lowland term for this type of piece. The lowlanders make the tenegre which always has a short nose and can be in wood, horn, or silver covered (rarely). What makes the sanduko starkly different is the nose which is much longer.

Sandukos are made by the highlanders, once called Mondo, Sulod, or Buki, but more properly called Panay Bukidnon. They call their sword not sanduko but taribong. The taribong is probably the oldest in form and design, perhaps going back to pre-Hispanic times, whereas the tenegre has been modified by the influence of the Spanish occupation.

There are 3 types of taribong that this tribe makes: sapot, tinitilaan, and the wala-pilak:

sapot taribong : this is the top of the line for the taribong. The best ones are made by a subgroup called the Aklan Bukidnon. Sapot means "covered all over" and it usually kamagong (makasar ebony) wood covered in silver. It is a dress sword to show wealth and worn to events and ceremonies like fiestas, feasts, cock fights, etc. It is the most valuable and expensive of the 3 types. A complete one has 3 small "balls" or "beads" that are called moro-monggo which look like monggo beans (over time many of these have been broken off and lost). Eyes, "ears" and a "hat" on top are made of silver coins, usually Spanish or American, and sometimes even Mexican.

tinitilaan taribong : this is second in value. It is like the sapot in form but is made of carved wood and bottom half is covered in silver sheet, sometimes the eyes and the nose. Sometimes these also have moro-monggo "balls" on the tip of the nose if the nose is silvered.

wala-pilak : this is third in line. It is made of carved wood and no silver is used. This type is the least in value of the 3.

NOTE: binangon is the generic term for bolo in Iloilo, Panay.

Below are some examples of these types from the Iloilo Museum:

1. sapot taribong
2. tinitilaan taribong
3. wala-pilak taribong

Note: taribong scabbards, especially sapot ones, have upturned ends. The straight and blunt ended scabbards tend to be lowlander made scabbards and are usually seen on tenegres.

There is more information but this is good enough for now.

31st May 2010, 09:17 PM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	New Info on Panay Sandukos The following information comes from Nacho who works with the Iloilo Museum on the island of Panay, Philippines. He has done interviews and research with the descendants whose ancestors and tribe made these wonderful pieces of work. I thank Nacho (and Migueldiaz) for their help and passing this research on to me and the rest of us (by Nacho's permission). The term "sanduko" is actually a lowland term for this type of piece. The lowlanders make the tenegre which always has a short nose and can be in wood, horn, or silver covered (rarely). What makes the sanduko starkly different is the nose which is much longer. Sandukos are made by the highlanders, once called Mondo, Sulod, or Buki, but more properly called Panay Bukidnon. They call their sword not sanduko but taribong. The taribong is probably the oldest in form and design, perhaps going back to pre-Hispanic times, whereas the tenegre has been modified by the influence of the Spanish occupation. There are 3 types of taribong that this tribe makes: sapot, tinitilaan, and the wala-pilak: sapot taribong : this is the top of the line for the taribong. The best ones are made by a subgroup called the Aklan Bukidnon. Sapot means "covered all over" and it usually kamagong (makasar ebony) wood covered in silver. It is a dress sword to show wealth and worn to events and ceremonies like fiestas, feasts, cock fights, etc. It is the most valuable and expensive of the 3 types. A complete one has 3 small "balls" or "beads" that are called moro-monggo which look like monggo beans (over time many of these have been broken off and lost). Eyes, "ears" and a "hat" on top are made of silver coins, usually Spanish or American, and sometimes even Mexican. tinitilaan taribong : this is second in value. It is like the sapot in form but is made of carved wood and bottom half is covered in silver sheet, sometimes the eyes and the nose. Sometimes these also have moro-monggo "balls" on the tip of the nose if the nose is silvered. wala-pilak : this is third in line. It is made of carved wood and no silver is used. This type is the least in value of the 3. NOTE: binangon is the generic term for bolo in Iloilo, Panay. Below are some examples of these types from the Iloilo Museum: 1. sapot taribong 2. tinitilaan taribong 3. wala-pilak taribong Note: taribong scabbards, especially sapot ones, have upturned ends. The straight and blunt ended scabbards tend to be lowlander made scabbards and are usually seen on tenegres. There is more information but this is good enough for now. Attached Images