Philippine sword identification

[nacho]

I agree with Spunjer. It is a binangon from Iloilo, Panay Island, Philippines. Pre-WW2. The scabbard is wrapped in sheets of thin carabao horn. We often mistake it for tortoise shell. The art of carving sheets of carabao horn is now lost.

[nacho]

This same scabbard is also seen in Panay tenegre blades. It is the type made by the lowlanders (in contrast to the ones made by the mountain tribe people -- the Panay Bukidnon). The Panay Bukidnons (previously called the Mundos) make the Sanduko-types. Miguel Diaz and I were at the Iloilo Museum last year where we were fortunate to meet members of the Panay Bukidnon tribe. They were invited to perform their unique dance and music.

I have a similar blade. It was a Spanish-American war trophy from an American soldier.

You blade is probably circa 1899.

[nacho]

The floral design on the scabbard represents a "catmon" flower. It is a common design used in early Panay textiles.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by nacho

The floral design on the scabbard represents a "catmon" flower. It is a common design used in early Panay textiles.

I think you speak about the punched-out leather and highlight with the red fabric.

[Battara]

If this is carabao horn it is something I have not seen before or was not aware of. I have seen thin carabao horn and it did not look like this. I have a piece of tortoise shell and it is brown like this. Hmm........

[migueldiaz]

As Spunjer and Nacho said (who are both from Iloilo, Panay), it's a binangon ... pronounced bee-NUH-ngon, the last syllable pronounced a la Klingon in Star Trek

Unfortunately the art of working with carabao horn has been largely lost, as Nacho said. Am planning though to visit one off-the-beaten-path island in the Philippines where the tradition is supposed to be still alive ... not sure if the report is true, but we'll see later.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by migueldiaz

As Spunjer and Nacho said (who are both from Iloilo, Panay), it's a binangon ... pronounced bee-NUH-ngon, the last syllable pronounced a la Klingon in Star Trek

Unfortunately the art of working with carabao horn has been largely lost, as Nacho said. Am planning though to visit one off-the-beaten-path island in the Philippines where the tradition is supposed to be still alive ... not sure if the report is true, but we'll see later.

Thank you for the further informations!

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by nacho

This same scabbard is also seen in Panay tenegre blades. It is the type made by the lowlanders (in contrast to the ones made by the mountain tribe people -- the Panay Bukidnon). The Panay Bukidnons (previously called the Mundos) make the Sanduko-types. Miguel Diaz and I were at the Iloilo Museum last year where we were fortunate to meet members of the Panay Bukidnon tribe. They were invited to perform their unique dance and music.

I have a similar blade. It was a Spanish-American war trophy from an American soldier.

You blade is probably circa 1899.

What let you think that the sword is from 1899? I ask because Spunjer think it is not earlier than WW2. Between this both assumptions are 50 years. And what do you think, is it a utility or a personal weapon?

Do you like to show your's?

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by nacho

I agree with Spunjer. It is a binangon from Iloilo, Panay Island, Philippines. Pre-WW2. The scabbard is wrapped in sheets of thin carabao horn. We often mistake it for tortoise shell. The art of carving sheets of carabao horn is now lost.

Hello Nacho,

thank you very much for your detailed input. I also have been sure that it is thin carabao horn. I know tortoise shell from indonesian keris and it look different. When Battara write that it is tortoise shell I have thought that it is from a different tortoise.

Detlef