Weapons case

Lee · 24th January 2011, 08:04 PM

I am suspecting these are from the Igorot (mountain peoples of Luzon, Philippines). Compare the figure with this one:

But, perhaps not as I do not see a classic 'head axe' in the box. But I expect someone will recognize them.

Rick · 24th January 2011, 08:51 PM

Aside from the sword cane this appears to be a complete kit of Paiwanese souvenir weapons .

Just a guess mind you .

Battara · 25th January 2011, 02:14 AM

I'm with Rick on the attribution. Although the carvings look similar to Igorot forms, the scabbard styles are more Paiwanese (or is it Taiwanese).

VANDOO · 25th January 2011, 05:06 AM

YES ITS ALL FROM TAIWAN (FORMERLY FORMOSA) I HAVE SEEN ALL OF THESE FORMS BEFORE AND THEY ARE INDEED MADE FOR SOUVINEERS BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE SEEN A FULL SET CASE AND ALL. VERY UNUSUAL

Tao4mind · 26th January 2011, 05:11 AM

Thank you all; they seem pretty sharp edge for souvenirs. The sword walking stick has the same carvings as the rest of the items. Thought it was some hunting kit for teens. Arrows and spear are real sharp and could take down a smaller animal, both knives and hatchet look to have been used to cut meat. But this walking stick is a clandestine weapon to kill humans. Did the Formosa hunt humans?

KuKulzA28 · 26th January 2011, 03:19 PM

WOW! I have never seen such a big collection of 1900s Paiwanese souvenir weapons! The Paiwan are an aboriginal group at the southern tip of Taiwan island (formerly known as Formosa)...

While these are old souvenir items, and not the "real deal" it may be worth keeping because, personally, I have never seen such a complete set! While these may not be headhunting and survival worthy, and were probably looked on as a necessary commercial venture by some Paiwan, they do represent an important, more recent part of Paiwan (and Taiwanese) history.

Just my opinion of course... very few people today have any knowledge of Taiwanese traditional weapons and even fewer actually have antique or recently made examples. While they're souvenirs, made for tourists, I think you should still consider yourself lucky to have this "weapons" case.

I once owned a souvenir knife like the curved one in that box, and it was pretty sharp and probably pretty use-able. As for the utility of the items in YOUR set, they may vary from low quality, to pretty decent - but I don't think they generally had as much skill put into them as "real" Paiwan weapons.

As for your question, did they hunt humans... well Taiwan (and much of SE Asia) was known for headhunters... but they did not use sword-canes, and did not know of such things until Chinese traders/settlers/warriors arrived. Taiwanese aborigines, like most Austronesian headhunters, used axes and machete-like blades for their headhunting... hidden and secret weapons like sword-canes seem to be more common in societies where ruler's or social norms forbade openly carrying weapons by normal folks - those are also usually more stratified societies.

fearn · 26th January 2011, 03:38 PM

I'd also suggest that the case may have been made originally for the bow and arrows, and the other bits were added to it because they fit, and it made it easier to carry the whole kit.

Neat stuff, and I think Kukulz has it right.

Best,

F

24th January 2011, 08:51 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Taiwan ?? Aside from the sword cane this appears to be a complete kit of Paiwanese souvenir weapons . Just a guess mind you .

26th January 2011, 05:11 AM	#5
Tao4mind Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 3	Thank you all; they seem pretty sharp edge for souvenirs. The sword walking stick has the same carvings as the rest of the items. Thought it was some hunting kit for teens. Arrows and spear are real sharp and could take down a smaller animal, both knives and hatchet look to have been used to cut meat. But this walking stick is a clandestine weapon to kill humans. Did the Formosa hunt humans? Attached Images

24th January 2011, 08:04 PM	#1
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 937	I am suspecting these are from the Igorot (mountain peoples of Luzon, Philippines). Compare the figure with this one: But, perhaps not as I do not see a classic 'head axe' in the box. But I expect someone will recognize them.

25th January 2011, 02:14 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	I'm with Rick on the attribution. Although the carvings look similar to Igorot forms, the scabbard styles are more Paiwanese (or is it Taiwanese).

25th January 2011, 05:06 AM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	YES ITS ALL FROM TAIWAN (FORMERLY FORMOSA) I HAVE SEEN ALL OF THESE FORMS BEFORE AND THEY ARE INDEED MADE FOR SOUVINEERS BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE SEEN A FULL SET CASE AND ALL. VERY UNUSUAL

26th January 2011, 03:19 PM	#6
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	WOW! I have never seen such a big collection of 1900s Paiwanese souvenir weapons! The Paiwan are an aboriginal group at the southern tip of Taiwan island (formerly known as Formosa)... While these are old souvenir items, and not the "real deal" it may be worth keeping because, personally, I have never seen such a complete set! While these may not be headhunting and survival worthy, and were probably looked on as a necessary commercial venture by some Paiwan, they do represent an important, more recent part of Paiwan (and Taiwanese) history. Just my opinion of course... very few people today have any knowledge of Taiwanese traditional weapons and even fewer actually have antique or recently made examples. While they're souvenirs, made for tourists, I think you should still consider yourself lucky to have this "weapons" case. I once owned a souvenir knife like the curved one in that box, and it was pretty sharp and probably pretty use-able. As for the utility of the items in YOUR set, they may vary from low quality, to pretty decent - but I don't think they generally had as much skill put into them as "real" Paiwan weapons. As for your question, did they hunt humans... well Taiwan (and much of SE Asia) was known for headhunters... but they did not use sword-canes, and did not know of such things until Chinese traders/settlers/warriors arrived. Taiwanese aborigines, like most Austronesian headhunters, used axes and machete-like blades for their headhunting... hidden and secret weapons like sword-canes seem to be more common in societies where ruler's or social norms forbade openly carrying weapons by normal folks - those are also usually more stratified societies.

26th January 2011, 03:38 PM	#7
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	I'd also suggest that the case may have been made originally for the bow and arrows, and the other bits were added to it because they fit, and it made it easier to carry the whole kit. Neat stuff, and I think Kukulz has it right. Best, F