Ceremonial moro keris? Comment needed!

[Federico]

I will note this, while perhaps not in his book, Bob Cato did note that high end Sulu pieces would often feature Maranao fittings, and that there was more connection between Maranao/Sulu kris vs Maguindanao/Sulu kris.

I agree with Zel, this blade has a more Maranao feel to me, at least if we are going by Cato. The trunk has the classic Maranao bulge that is the key feature in his trunk theory for Maranao blades. Also, to me the socketing work and lavish okir work strikes me more as a Maranao style, particularly compared to modern Maranao work, which I sometimes see in nice Sulu fittings as well. Whereas my Maguindanao kris with metal fittings have a more subdued okir style.

Anyways, on a historical level, the connection between Maguindanao and Sulu, during the turn of the 20th century would not be the greatest. One problem I have always had with the trunk theory, is that lumping Maguindanao as one big group takes no accounting of the separation between up-river Buayan Maguindanao (such as Datu Uto who resisted the Spanish to the end) and down river Cotabato Maguindanao (who capitulated to the Spanish). Some authors, such as Ileto, notes the differences between the two groups, by this time, were so great that they could be in some cases be considered two different peoples. Anyways, at this time period the Buayan Sultanate still had strong relations with other Moro groups, not to mention was in far better shape than the Cotabato Sultanate.

Very nice Kris by the way

[Battara]

Thank you Federico for that note - did not know that about high end Sulu pieces sporting Maranao fittings.

I guess you're a late nighter as well.

[Federico]

Originally Posted by Battara

Thank you Federico for that note - did not know that about high end Sulu pieces sporting Maranao fittings.

Now Im not saying that high end Sulu pieces sport Maranao fittings, Im just saying, if we are going by Bob's research then it is a possibility.

My own guess is that "High End" Sulu fittings that are Sulu made were more likely Iranun vs Maranao (more contact and the Iranun are noted by Warren as having brought big advances in Sulu swords and particularly in the context of the 19th century Iranun sailors often worked in tandem with Sulu missions). Then again how do we distinguish Iranun styles of kris? Was their relationship to the Maranao such that they would be similar (depending on whose origin theory for the Iranun and Maranao you buy are they the same group differentiated by land, or even are all the Mindanao groups truly just variations of eachother, etc...)?

[Federico]

Originally Posted by Battara

I guess you're a late nighter as well.

Somedays it just seems like I never sleep Though hopefully will be able to lose some the adrenalline left over from the dojo in a little bit.