Information on Igorot Spear?

[apolaki]

Hello,

Does anyone have information regarding this type of spear head, which ethnic group makes this motif, and what the significance of this particular motif?

I thought it looked interesting

[VANDOO]

I WOULD CLASSIFY THIS AS IGOROT BUT HAVE SEEN PICTURES LABLED AS BONTOC AND IFUAGO TOO. IT IS SAID TO BE CARRIED AS AN ORNAMENT WHEN GOING ON PEACFUL BUSINESS. THE MULTI BARBS ON YOUR EXAMPLE MAY MAKE THIS A CROSSOVER TYPE THAT SERVES THE PURPOSE OF THE MULTI BARBED SINALAWATAN THAT PROTECTS THE GROUP FROM EVIL SPIRITS AND THE KAYYAN WHICH SHOWS PEACFUL INTENTIONS. SEE STONES GLOSSARY PAGE 225 FIGURE 278
SEVERAL PICTURES OF THE STANDARD FORM OF KAYYAN SPEAR.
#1. PHILIPPINE WARRIOR 1900 TO 1920
#2. BONTOC, 1900
#3. BONTOC
#4. IFUAGO WARRIOR
#5. TYPES OF PHILIPPINE SPEARS

[Spunjer]

hello apolaki,
the particular type of spear you have is referred to as sinalawitan. belief has it that the more barb it has, the more potent they are against anitos, or spirits...

[Nonoy Tan]

The creativity of the Ifugao mind never ceases to amaze me!

The spear, I believe is of Ifugao workmanship and a combination of two types of spearhead design, the gayan (with two flaring prongs) and the hinolgat (with 2 pairs of barbs). Other Northern Luzon Cordillera peoples also have these two types of spears but with slightly different workmanship, and also have their own local names.

The sinalawitan is a Bontoc term, perhaps derived from "salawit" which means barb. On the other hand, The Kankakaey-speaking peoples of Benguet describe those spirits of persons who died of violent deaths as not "nalawitan" meaning that they have not been invited to his/her home or house of living relatives in order to participate in activities such as ritual sacrifices. As a consequence, these spirits remain in precipices and places where accidents are likely to occur; and at the same time occupy themselves with malevolent acts. "Lawit" is the calling of such anitos. These anito spirits were feared by travelers to cause misfortune and accidents. It is possible that this belief may have brought about the belief that the sinalawitan spear scares away spirits that cause trouble to travelers.

Although the use of iron and weapons made of iron, as a talisman against evil spirits is a concept widely found throughout the Philippines, I have yet to discover if this belief is also found among the ancient Ifugao. For this reason, I would not conclude that your spear had any talismanic purpose. The creative design was likely made for ornamental reasons.

[Spunjer]

The sinalawitan is a Bontoc term, perhaps derived from "salawit" which means barb. On the other hand, The Kankakaey-speaking peoples of Benguet describe those spirits of persons who died of violent deaths as not "nalawitan" meaning that they have not been invited to his/her home or house of living relatives in order to participate in activities such as ritual sacrifices. As a consequence, these spirits remain in precipices and places where accidents are likely to occur; and at the same time occupy themselves with malevolent acts. "Lawit" is the calling of such anitos. These anito spirits were feared by travelers to cause misfortune and accidents. It is possible that this belief may have brought about the belief that the sinalawitan spear scares away spirits that cause trouble to travelers.

thanks for the clarification, Noy. little is known about the mountain province weaponries since not too many research has been done.