Did Lumads make their own Kampilans?

CharlesS · 5th October 2018, 04:46 PM

Kai,

I think the relative size of Moro weapons has as much to do with their being the weapons of seafarers and raiders, and to their stature, as much as a jungle environment. In period photos I am often surprised how Americans(supposedly shorter then than now) seem to tower over their Moro counterparts, say a datu and his entourage.

Shorter blades are a characteristic of most SE Asian cultures, with some exceptions, and they are not all jungle dwellers, nor seafarers and raiders for that matter, so I think physical stature played crucial role in decisions about sword lengths. Even the kampillan, the longest of Moro swords, was capable of being welded with one or two hands.

I know as a short guy myself I am more comfortable with a med-sized to smaller blade. Longer blades are awkward for me to handle.

5th October 2018, 04:46 PM	#8
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Kai, I think the relative size of Moro weapons has as much to do with their being the weapons of seafarers and raiders, and to their stature, as much as a jungle environment. In period photos I am often surprised how Americans(supposedly shorter then than now) seem to tower over their Moro counterparts, say a datu and his entourage. Shorter blades are a characteristic of most SE Asian cultures, with some exceptions, and they are not all jungle dwellers, nor seafarers and raiders for that matter, so I think physical stature played crucial role in decisions about sword lengths. Even the kampillan, the longest of Moro swords, was capable of being welded with one or two hands. I know as a short guy myself I am more comfortable with a med-sized to smaller blade. Longer blades are awkward for me to handle.