Barung; weapon, tool or tourist piece?

Andrew · 30th August 2009, 12:00 AM

No worries, guys.

Just been around this and other forums long enough to know how quickly things can turn, particularly given the mix of ethnicity, nationality and political affiliations we have here.

Thanks.

migueldiaz · 31st August 2009, 01:03 AM

I picked up the kris below in Mindanao from a Muslim (Maranao) trader about a year ago.

I think it's an example of the fusion between two ethnic groups. My theory is that somehow a Visayan who settled in Mindanao ended up with the kris, re-hilted it using their traditional pommel design, and then used it for his everyday 'carry'.

As a remote analogy, it's probably somewhat like WW2 Germans in Russia using the much respected T-34s.

KuKulzA28 · 31st August 2009, 01:23 AM

that, a utility knife, and a gun would be my "EveryDay Carry" if I lived there too!

migueldiaz, maybe you can help me answer these...
How common are these laminated blades do you think? What prices do they run at? How many are made per how many tourist swords are made?

I think those would be good indicators for those who don't live in the Philippines.

Battara · 31st August 2009, 04:56 AM

Interesting piece - the blade and scabbard are Maguindanao.......

migueldiaz · 31st August 2009, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KuKulzA28

migueldiaz, maybe you can help me answer these... How common are these laminated blades do you think? What prices do they run at? How many are made per how many tourist swords are made?

KuKulzA28, the older ones would be the ones that will have laminated blades. And in two shops I went to last year in Davao City in Mindanao (in a strip retail for Moro crafts called Aldevinco Center), each would have about 15 krisses and only one or two out of the 15 would be older pieces, and they would of course be the ones that will have laminated blades.

That's just anecdotal evidence of course. I'm not really in a position to gauge the relative proportion of the quantities between the old ones vs. the tourist versions, because I haven't surveyed these shops enough.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Interesting piece - the blade and scabbard are Maguindanao.......

Thanks for the comment, Battara. If you don't mind my asking as I really don't know, what would be the particular features of the blade and scabbard that make them Maguin.? Thanks in advance

Battara · 31st August 2009, 07:50 PM

The front section of the ganga where the mouth is, is characteristic of being Maguindanao as well as the "shoulderless" scabbard top, which is a style of Maguindanao scabbard according to Cato.

migueldiaz · 1st September 2009, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

The front section of the ganga where the mouth is, is characteristic of being Maguindanao as well as the "shoulderless" scabbard top, which is a style of Maguindanao scabbard according to Cato.

Thanks!

Here's a close-up view of the gangya, which I need to clean and etch also ...

31st August 2009, 01:03 AM	#2
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	I picked up the kris below in Mindanao from a Muslim (Maranao) trader about a year ago. I think it's an example of the fusion between two ethnic groups. My theory is that somehow a Visayan who settled in Mindanao ended up with the kris, re-hilted it using their traditional pommel design, and then used it for his everyday 'carry'. As a remote analogy, it's probably somewhat like WW2 Germans in Russia using the much respected T-34s. Attached Images

30th August 2009, 12:00 AM	#1
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	No worries, guys. Just been around this and other forums long enough to know how quickly things can turn, particularly given the mix of ethnicity, nationality and political affiliations we have here. Thanks.

31st August 2009, 01:23 AM	#3
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	that, a utility knife, and a gun would be my "EveryDay Carry" if I lived there too! migueldiaz, maybe you can help me answer these... How common are these laminated blades do you think? What prices do they run at? How many are made per how many tourist swords are made? I think those would be good indicators for those who don't live in the Philippines.

31st August 2009, 04:56 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Interesting piece - the blade and scabbard are Maguindanao.......

31st August 2009, 07:50 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	The front section of the ganga where the mouth is, is characteristic of being Maguindanao as well as the "shoulderless" scabbard top, which is a style of Maguindanao scabbard according to Cato.