Wooden Igorot shield

[Indianajones]

Picture of South Kalinga with the 'governor' at right (written in white at border) holding a shield and a headaxe.
It says 'Lubuagan Kalinga' underneath which is a town actually between the North and South Kalinga (-influence zone). This town is also along the (only) road from Bontoc (tribe and town) into the Kalinga territory and any military "activity" coming from the South would have used this road (; source of iron/foreign material).
The North Kalinga use a different and quite more elegant type of shield; slender, long and with a diamondshaped 'bud' at the front.

Now all you need is a headaxe aand a spear and your 'Do-it-yourself headhunting set' is complete

Another detail; the reason why the left part of the griphole is larger than the right is because a warrior would hold these shields using only the middle three fingers (left hand; right hand is for holding the headaxe), leaving the tiny and the thumb outside for easy tilting the shield foreward/backwards when dualing. This is why sometimes there is a shiny spot in the "NorthEastern' direction above the grip.

Several of the shields I own also show tiny elongated triangular cuts/piercings in the wood on the front, which have been made by blows of headaxes.

Best,

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Indianajones

Picture of South Kalinga with the 'governor' at right (written in white at border) holding a shield and a headaxe.
It says 'Lubuagan Kalinga' underneath which is a town actually between the North and South Kalinga (-influence zone). This town is also along the (only) road from Bontoc (tribe and town) into the Kalinga territory and any military "activity" coming from the South would have used this road (; source of iron/foreign material).
The North Kalinga use a different and quite more elegant type of shield; slender, long and with a diamondshaped 'bud' at the front.

Now all you need is a headaxe aand a spear and your 'Do-it-yourself headhunting set' is complete

Another detail; the reason why the left part of the griphole is larger than the right is because a warrior would hold these shields using only the middle three fingers (left hand; right hand is for holding the headaxe), leaving the tiny and the thumb outside for easy tilting the shield foreward/backwards when dualing. This is why sometimes there is a shiny spot in the "NorthEastern' direction above the grip.

Several of the shields I own also show tiny elongated triangular cuts/piercings in the wood on the front, which have been made by blows of headaxes.

Best,

Interesting informations! Now I know why every time the griphole on the left is larger, by my example as well!

Again, a very nice shield!

Regards,

Detlef

[Pieje]

Thanks for this thorough and inspiring info!

Originally Posted by Indianajones

Now all you need is a headaxe and a spear and your 'Do-it-yourself headhunting set' is complete

To be honest, I went to buy some African swords when I saw that shield and I particularly liked it. So I bought it, relatively cheap, without knowing anything about it, thought it was African
But knowing I have an old and authentic Bontoc Igorot reinforced war shield showing traces of use during wartime made my day. Perhaps I'll have a look for an axe.

[Sajen]

Here some pictures from my Bontoc shield for comparison. but i like your one much more!

[Lee]

There are more pictures of these in the Krieger plates

[Pieje]

Also a nice shield...compared to mine it seems to have a different patina/colour and a double, differently woven rattenband.
Nice blade next to it...

I noticed that the wood surrounding the lower cut out of my shield is slightly more used...a head or neck would fit perfectly

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Pieje

Also a nice shield...compared to mine it seems to have a different patina/colour and a double, differently woven rattenband.
Nice blade next to it...

I noticed that the wood surrounding the lower cut out of my shield is slightly more used...a head or neck would fit perfectly

Thank you Pieje,

i think that my one is a real Bontoc shield, so a little bit different. Which blade you mean, left or right?

Here a picture of a Bontoc warrior with shield, axe and spear.

Regards,

Detlef

[Indianajones]

Hi Sajen n Pieje,
Sajen your shield is (indeed) a typical Bontoc shield. Pieje, your shield would to my opinion be South Kalinga.
Here are some (older) pics of my N. Philippine collection; first the Bontoc 'department', second the (North) Kalinga 'department'.

I think Pieje means the piece of blade visible from your Kalinga headaxe )right side), not Pieje?