Origin of the Kalinga Axe

Nonoy Tan · 13th November 2008, 10:40 AM

Tim,

Here is an example of a more finely-made Ilongot blade.
Also, a Hinalung intended as weapon (over-all length is 22 cm. only).

Going back to the axe...

This one comes from the Ifugao. I was told by informants from the area that this axe was intended for use in working wood/chopping trees (not primarily as a weapon). As weapon, the "bolo" type was used by the Ifugao (e.g. Pinahig, Hinalung, Hangap, Yuquyug). So far, I have not encountered any reliable document which tells of the Ifugao using the axe as a traditional weapon.

Tim Simmons · 13th November 2008, 06:22 PM

Fascinating. Nice scabbard, the handle on that knife has the influence of many Philippine knives we see on this forum. The blade looks a little similar to a talibon.
I cannot help myself seeing a relation to the indigenous knives of Taiwan, is this rather fanciful?
Here are some day light pictures of the Hinalung, as you can see it is a big heavy knife. A chopper just as much as a knife. It is one of my most treasured artifacts. I like the almost futuristic clean geometry to the blade, made with absolute confidence. I am not surprised they are used to chop wood, human bodies would offer very little resistance. The other picture is a taiwan knife.

Nonoy Tan · 14th November 2008, 06:30 AM

Tinguian (Northern Luzon) folklore (oral tradition) describes the headaxe and its uses in many ways. It also mentions several times the headaxe being used magically by a character in the stories to cross bodies of water or the sea.

This leads me to conjecture that the crescent-shaped blade may have been inspired by the shape of a boat

More conjectures .... The shape may have originated from the coastal lowlands (not the mountains of the Cordillera where there is no sea) of Luzon, and where blacksmithing technology (using the Malay forge) may have entered the island.

Nonoy

13th November 2008, 10:40 AM	#1
Nonoy Tan Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 293	Tim, Here is an example of a more finely-made Ilongot blade. Also, a Hinalung intended as weapon (over-all length is 22 cm. only). Going back to the axe... This one comes from the Ifugao. I was told by informants from the area that this axe was intended for use in working wood/chopping trees (not primarily as a weapon). As weapon, the "bolo" type was used by the Ifugao (e.g. Pinahig, Hinalung, Hangap, Yuquyug). So far, I have not encountered any reliable document which tells of the Ifugao using the axe as a traditional weapon. Attached Images

13th November 2008, 06:22 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Fascinating. Nice scabbard, the handle on that knife has the influence of many Philippine knives we see on this forum. The blade looks a little similar to a talibon. I cannot help myself seeing a relation to the indigenous knives of Taiwan, is this rather fanciful? Here are some day light pictures of the Hinalung, as you can see it is a big heavy knife. A chopper just as much as a knife. It is one of my most treasured artifacts. I like the almost futuristic clean geometry to the blade, made with absolute confidence. I am not surprised they are used to chop wood, human bodies would offer very little resistance. The other picture is a taiwan knife. Attached Images

14th November 2008, 06:30 AM	#3
Nonoy Tan Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 293	Tinguian (Northern Luzon) folklore (oral tradition) describes the headaxe and its uses in many ways. It also mentions several times the headaxe being used magically by a character in the stories to cross bodies of water or the sea. This leads me to conjecture that the crescent-shaped blade may have been inspired by the shape of a boat More conjectures .... The shape may have originated from the coastal lowlands (not the mountains of the Cordillera where there is no sea) of Luzon, and where blacksmithing technology (using the Malay forge) may have entered the island. Nonoy