Igorot Utility Knife

[Nonoy Tan]

Hi Detlef, the hinalun and hinalung/hinalong refer to the same weapon. "Hinalun" is Batad Ifugao while "Hinalung/Hinalong" is Kiangan Ifugao. The root word is "Halong" which means socket.

Similarly, "Outtiwon" (Batad) is also "Kotiwong" (Kiangan). Merely, variations in pronunciation really.

The single-edged bolo is an "otak" (a somewhat generic term). I have read the word "Pinahig" used in this forum quite often, and have used the word myself. However, I do not know where the word "Pinahig" comes from and unable to determine if that is accurate.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Nonoy Tan

Hi Detlef, the hinalun and hinalung/hinalong refer to the same weapon. "Hinalun" is Batad Ifugao while "Hinalung/Hinalong" is Kiangan Ifugao. The root word is "Halong" which means socket.

Similarly, "Outtiwon" (Batad) is also "Kotiwong" (Kiangan). Merely, variations in pronunciation really.

The single-edged bolo is an "otak" (a somewhat generic term). I have read the word "Pinahig" used in this forum quite often, and have used the word myself. However, I do not know where the word "Pinahig" comes from and unable to determine if that is accurate.

Hi Nonoy,

thank you very much for clarification and the very interesting insights you have given about the different names and as well the different names in the both Ifugao dialects. I am sure that this wasn't for me alone very interesting.

So you would call my small knife "otak" also like this when it is small like this (28 cm) when I understand you correct.

Best,

Detlef

[CourseEight]

I'm a bit late to the party, but here's a picture of mine, also very similar. It's quite sharp

[Robert]

CourseEight, Thank you and everyone else for sharing your very nice examples. I still find it hard to believe that so many of the forum members have examples of these knives in their collections and yet the one that I originally posted was the first one that I had seen. Now that it has arrived I can post a few photos of it after a little cleaning an waxing. Sorry about the quality of these but as usual it is raining here.

Best,
Robert

[Sajen]

The pictures are very ok and show that it is a very nice knife and was in use for some good time. Good maintaining job you have done.

[Nonoy Tan]

Originally Posted by Nonoy Tan

The single-edged bolo is an "otak" (a somewhat generic term). I have read the word "Pinahig" used in this forum quite often, and have used the word myself. However, I do not know where the word "Pinahig" comes from and unable to determine if that is accurate.

I have recently learned that the term "pinahhig" is a long-bladed bolo with a sharp edge. This is a Tuwali Ifugao word. Note the double "h"

[Ian]

Nonoy:

Thanks for clarifying the terminology for these knives. I notice you refer to otak as a generic term, and it seems to be very close to itak which is used in central Luzon in the same manner to refer to a "knife." Do you think that otak and itak might share a common origin?

Ian.

[Battara]

Nonoy, I agree tha this is Ifugao. Thank you for your wonderful knowledge.

Just one question: I thought "igorot" was a generic term for all the "headhunting" tribes on Luzon?

[Nonoy Tan]

Originally Posted by Battara

Just one question: I thought "igorot" was a generic term for all the "headhunting" tribes on Luzon?

That is an interesting question, Jose. Here is what I know.

1. The term Igorot was used not only to refer to peoples living in the hinterlands of the Northern Luzon, but also to those in Bicol, Mindanao, etc. Spanish writings bear evidence of this. The term used were Ygorrote, Ygolote, etc.

2. Subsequently, Igorot became the popular word used to refer to the Bontoc, Ifugao, Isneg, Tinguian, and other Northern Luzon Cordillera peoples. This has remained to the present. However this is not helpful to students and scholars. In fact, the Ifugao are not Igorot, nor are the Tinguian, etc. IMHO, a more apt generic term is "Northern Luzon Cordillera Peoples."

For us studying ethnographic weapons, the word Igorot is vague, except when specifically referring, to the Bontoc Igorot, Benguet Igorot (Ibaloi), or Lepanto Igorot (Kankanay).

[Nonoy Tan]

Originally Posted by Ian

I notice you refer to otak as a generic term, and it seems to be very close to itak which is used in central Luzon in the same manner to refer to a "knife." Do you think that otak and itak might share a common origin?

Yes, Ian these words have a common Austronesian linguistic origin.