Small Padsumbalin Panabas

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello dear forum members,

have won recently a small padsumbalin panabas, it's just 55 cm (21.65") long. I very much doubt that this piece is an agricultural piece. And I never before have seen a small panabas with padsumbalin blade and I think that it is the first one ever shown at this place.
Any comments on this piece?

Regards,
Detlef

Hi sir Detlef,

Nice piece. However I'd like to differ and point out that- consistent with the size and form of traditional panabas being forged nowadays in Maguindanao- this seems to be an agricultural piece. The present-day panabas still bears resemblance to the old ones purportedly used in the battlefield or (I think more likely) for executions; but like many other Mindanao weapons, it's on a smaller scale so that it could better serve as an agricultural tool. Your piece may be the forerunner of the miniaturized versions of panabas today.