Bagobo, Blaan ? Your expertise please

Ian · 17th April 2017, 12:10 AM

Hi marbel:

You pose an interesting question with this one. All metal hilts are fairly common among the Lumad tribes of eastern and south-eastern Mindanao. The T'boli use all metal hilts on their kamfilan, and other groups less often.

The problem comes when blades and hilts are traded among groups, as they are quite often. The T'boli are well known for their metal work, and produce good quality blades and brass hilts, the latter being made by the lost wax method. The small kampilan (kamfilan) is a particular T'boli specialty, although other Lumad groups also make them.

That said, your sword's blade does not look like one of the typical T'boli forms. The all metal hilt, on the other hand, would pass for less than average grade T'boli work, but I agree that the decoration is more Bagobo in form. The row of holes at the end of the hilt is for hanging small bells (hawk bells), and that is a feature seen mainly on T'boli and Bagobo swords.

While all metal hilts are the norm for T'boli swords, there is usually a mix of metal and wood on traditional Bagobo (including Tagakaolu) and Blaan hilts. We don't tend to see many Blaan swords and knives, so it's harder to say what style they favored. Also, the Blaan probably bought many of their swords from the Bagobo groups. There are old pictures of Blaan datu carrying traditional Bagobo swords (I will see if I can dig them out of my files).

I'm afraid the answer to your question, Is this Bagobo, Blaan, or T'boli?, would be "yes," it's probably one of these. One other piece of information would be helpful--where did you acquire this? If it was sold through Davao City, there is a very good possibility it is Bagabo/Tagakaolu because the Tagakaolu are located close by this major center and many of the Lumad weapons coming on the market through Davao originate with them.

It's possible the scabbard may have some clues. It's not typical of T'boli work, so perhaps Bagobo or Blaan.

Thanks for showing this interesting piece. Perhaps someone else has more detailed knowledge they can share.

Ian.

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17th April 2017, 12:10 AM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Hi marbel: You pose an interesting question with this one. All metal hilts are fairly common among the Lumad tribes of eastern and south-eastern Mindanao. The T'boli use all metal hilts on their kamfilan, and other groups less often. The problem comes when blades and hilts are traded among groups, as they are quite often. The T'boli are well known for their metal work, and produce good quality blades and brass hilts, the latter being made by the lost wax method. The small kampilan (kamfilan) is a particular T'boli specialty, although other Lumad groups also make them. That said, your sword's blade does not look like one of the typical T'boli forms. The all metal hilt, on the other hand, would pass for less than average grade T'boli work, but I agree that the decoration is more Bagobo in form. The row of holes at the end of the hilt is for hanging small bells (hawk bells), and that is a feature seen mainly on T'boli and Bagobo swords. While all metal hilts are the norm for T'boli swords, there is usually a mix of metal and wood on traditional Bagobo (including Tagakaolu) and Blaan hilts. We don't tend to see many Blaan swords and knives, so it's harder to say what style they favored. Also, the Blaan probably bought many of their swords from the Bagobo groups. There are old pictures of Blaan datu carrying traditional Bagobo swords (I will see if I can dig them out of my files). I'm afraid the answer to your question, Is this Bagobo, Blaan, or T'boli?, would be "yes," it's probably one of these. One other piece of information would be helpful--where did you acquire this? If it was sold through Davao City, there is a very good possibility it is Bagabo/Tagakaolu because the Tagakaolu are located close by this major center and many of the Lumad weapons coming on the market through Davao originate with them. It's possible the scabbard may have some clues. It's not typical of T'boli work, so perhaps Bagobo or Blaan. Thanks for showing this interesting piece. Perhaps someone else has more detailed knowledge they can share. Ian.