Lumad (?) adaptation of a Malay sundang

Ian · 6th January 2025, 12:18 PM

This sword has an old Malayan kris wavy blade. The Malayan features are the octagonal hilt and the presence of a central fuller that starts at about 25% of the blade below the hilt, and runs all the way to the tip of the blade. The diminutive kakatua pommel with side panels suggests that the sword may date from the first half of the 19th C.

The gangya is missing, clearly identifying the sword in its present form as non-Islamic (i.e., not Moro or Malayan). This might be a modification made by a Christian Filipino, but more likely I think this is a Lumad adaptation.

It is uncommon but not rare to find Lumad-modified Moro kris. I have owned several Lumad kris in the past, including ones where the gangya was missing. The Lumad identifications came from textile wraps, scabbards, or hilts. Interestingly, most of my Lumad kris had Maguindanao blades. The finding of a Malayan blade and hilt on this one is unusual.
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David R · 6th January 2025, 02:31 PM

Wow, a nice and interesting piece and useful information. Particularly about the significance of a missing gangya.

6th January 2025, 12:18 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,283	Lumad (?) adaptation of a Malay sundang This sword has an old Malayan kris wavy blade. The Malayan features are the octagonal hilt and the presence of a central fuller that starts at about 25% of the blade below the hilt, and runs all the way to the tip of the blade. The diminutive kakatua pommel with side panels suggests that the sword may date from the first half of the 19th C. The gangya is missing, clearly identifying the sword in its present form as non-Islamic (i.e., not Moro or Malayan). This might be a modification made by a Christian Filipino, but more likely I think this is a Lumad adaptation. It is uncommon but not rare to find Lumad-modified Moro kris. I have owned several Lumad kris in the past, including ones where the gangya was missing. The Lumad identifications came from textile wraps, scabbards, or hilts. Interestingly, most of my Lumad kris had Maguindanao blades. The finding of a Malayan blade and hilt on this one is unusual. . Attached Images

6th January 2025, 02:31 PM	#2
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,095	Wow, a nice and interesting piece and useful information. Particularly about the significance of a missing gangya.