Wooden Igorot shield

Indianajones · 19th April 2012, 11:12 AM

Sajen; those 'bare areas' on the right shield are, like Pieje's one on the side from hitting the shield with a stick by warriors before or after going on warpath. They wood use the shield as a drum together with the sound of gansa's (gongs) and wild cries to tune up the excitement!

Sometimes the warriors would also walk in a line behind eachother (on their way to other villages for gathering more crowd for the war against the enemy(village)).

See the difference between the quite more rudely shaped Bontoc shields in contrast to the South Kalinga shields which have a more distinctive outline (with the outmost elegant outline made by the North Kalinga).

>>included another pic of some Bontocs with shield on their village 'ato' or square. See also the spots on this shield. Note; when heads where brought back they would be burried under the pavement of such ato's!

Sajen · 19th April 2012, 03:49 PM

Thank's!!

Clubs & Arrows · 19th April 2012, 04:47 PM

Pieje, ,
The shield looks great. Not to say that the others don't, but I always enjoy seeing modifications or repairs to these pieces. I figured that someone out there may also enjoy seeing my old Bontoc Shield. It has certainly seen a bit of action. Plenty of split rattan reinforcements, impact marks, and an old piece of tin covering the hole in the center. One of my favorite Philippine pieces.

Joe

Sajen · 19th April 2012, 05:17 PM

Very nice one! To bad that this shield can't tell us from it's life!

Indianajones · 19th April 2012, 07:32 PM

Wow indeed a real joy to see! Thanks
Wonderfull how smooth the handle can get from pure decades of handling and fearsweat!
Surely an ancient piece from as early as 1850 or even earlier!

The bamboo sticks stuck into the rattan bands at the back of your shield are actually used on the way back when heads had just secured from an enemy village. The revenge seeking villagers would than often quickly pick up their shields and headaxes and pursue the headtakers, who would put these sharp stick in the ground -firmly and pointing backwards-, so the pursueing party would hopefully injure their feet while running after them. I believe they are called 'pua' but am not sure.

Also; looks like someone has been painting (the ceiling?) above the shield; too bad about those spots.

Pieje · 19th April 2012, 10:25 PM

That is a fantastic shield Joe! A piece with a history. Thanks for sharing!

19th April 2012, 11:12 AM	#1
Indianajones Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 180	Sajen; those 'bare areas' on the right shield are, like Pieje's one on the side from hitting the shield with a stick by warriors before or after going on warpath. They wood use the shield as a drum together with the sound of gansa's (gongs) and wild cries to tune up the excitement! Sometimes the warriors would also walk in a line behind eachother (on their way to other villages for gathering more crowd for the war against the enemy(village)). See the difference between the quite more rudely shaped Bontoc shields in contrast to the South Kalinga shields which have a more distinctive outline (with the outmost elegant outline made by the North Kalinga). >>included another pic of some Bontocs with shield on their village 'ato' or square. See also the spots on this shield. Note; when heads where brought back they would be burried under the pavement of such ato's! Attached Images

19th April 2012, 04:47 PM	#3
Clubs & Arrows Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Gabriel Foothills, Southern California Posts: 94	Pieje, , The shield looks great. Not to say that the others don't, but I always enjoy seeing modifications or repairs to these pieces. I figured that someone out there may also enjoy seeing my old Bontoc Shield. It has certainly seen a bit of action. Plenty of split rattan reinforcements, impact marks, and an old piece of tin covering the hole in the center. One of my favorite Philippine pieces. Joe Attached Images

19th April 2012, 05:17 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,164	Very nice one! To bad that this shield can't tell us from it's life! Last edited by Sajen; 19th April 2012 at 05:43 PM.

19th April 2012, 07:32 PM	#5
Indianajones Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 180	Wow indeed a real joy to see! Thanks Wonderfull how smooth the handle can get from pure decades of handling and fearsweat! Surely an ancient piece from as early as 1850 or even earlier! The bamboo sticks stuck into the rattan bands at the back of your shield are actually used on the way back when heads had just secured from an enemy village. The revenge seeking villagers would than often quickly pick up their shields and headaxes and pursue the headtakers, who would put these sharp stick in the ground -firmly and pointing backwards-, so the pursueing party would hopefully injure their feet while running after them. I believe they are called 'pua' but am not sure. Also; looks like someone has been painting (the ceiling?) above the shield; too bad about those spots. Last edited by Indianajones; 19th April 2012 at 09:00 PM.

19th April 2012, 03:49 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,164	Thank's!!

19th April 2012, 10:25 PM	#6
Pieje Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 132	That is a fantastic shield Joe! A piece with a history. Thanks for sharing!