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#1 |
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Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 267
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Hi friends,
From my father's collection- a supposed to be Bagobo bolo (a kampilan?). 1) in one of my earlier posts, I have shared a presumably tagagaolo bolo with a similar scabbard design (floral side of the scabbard/round metallic discs). My father remembers this piece as a Bagobo bolo (as what was told to him by the antique seller in General Santos City). We have Bagobo bolos/swords (aside from the 'datu' class earlier posted) in our collection- but they have hilts with a combination of wood + metal designs - this one has a solid hilt made out of brass. Looking at the design on the brass hilt- it makes me wonder in indeed this is Bagobo. Any feedback/inputs would be appreciated. Regards Yves |
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#2 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
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Hi Yves:
Yes, this one is Bagobo/Tagakaolo. The Tagakaolo are one of the three main groups of Bagobos, who live mainly on Mt Apo and surrounds, including Davao City. It is uncommon to see an all brass version of this hilt. Usually it is the decorated brass ferrule with a wooden (often banati) pommel. Ian |
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#3 |
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Join Date: Apr 2020
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Hello Sir Ian,
Thanks so much for the info! Kindest regards Yves ![]() |
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#4 |
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That's a Bagobo kampilan, all right...I'm just curious about the scabbard, as it seems to deviate from usual samples. Here's my godfather's brass-hilted Bagobo piece with the usual scabbard.
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#5 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
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What defines this sword as a Kampilan?
Is Kampilan a generic term through out the islands? Couldn't this sword also be called a Bangkung? ![]() |
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#6 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
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Like Rick I too question the use of "kampilan". I also agree with Xasterix in that this is an unusual scabbard, almost looks like Moro "knock off" or a more recent Moro scabbard for this Bagobo piece - trade perhaps?
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#7 | |
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Xas, nice traditional ensemble, with the complete brass hilt also. These two would make a dozen or so of this style I have seen with all brass hilts. I never found one for sale when I was accumulating Lumad pieces. It's nice to see these two good examples of Bagobo/Tagakaolo brasswork. As far as the scabbard, I think it may be from Zamboanga. It seems to have a rope keeper for tying around the waist. Ian . |
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#8 | |
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#9 |
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I haven't had a chance to clean it up yet, or get better photos (these are from the seller), but here's a similar piece that I recently picked. Aside from the string/fiber in the "gaps", the hilt is completely brass. I do wonder if they all originally had these?
The only other things I'll add are that the hilt is a little small for my hands, and I was a little surprised at how blade heavy it is. Thanks, Leif |
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#10 |
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Hi Lief:
That's an unusual one for a couple of reasons. First, the hilt seems to be wood with no brass. Is that right? If it is all wood, then that is more uncommon than all brass. I've only seen one other example of an all wood Bagobo hilt. Also, the pommel has some carved designs on the side--again uncommon. The hilt looks pretty old judging from the wear on the carved areas of the grip. Is the blade pinned near the guard? Second, the scabbard has a suspension system. That's an anomaly because Bagobo groups wear their sword tucked through a sash or belt. So I'm wondering if this is a sword in the Bagobo style made for another Lumad group. Bagobos did trade their weapons, and I recall accounts of the Mandya and Manobo using Bagobo weapons. Alternatively, this might have been carried/brought back by a US soldier. Any provenance? Look forward to seeing more pictures when you have cleaned it. Ian. . |
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#11 | |||
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Thanks, Leif |
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#12 |
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Thanks Leif.
Pinning the hilt and tang like that is distinctly odd for any Mindanao group, or indeed for any Traditional Filipino weapon. I think this was probably WWII vintage and used by an American serviceman, or maybe even going back to the early 20th C when the US had forces on Mindanao to deal with the Moros. Interesting piece. Ian |
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#13 |
EAAF Staff
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That pinning my well have bee by a US GI since Bagobo didn't traditionally do this. Usually no need for it.
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