View Full Version : A Moro bangkung?
DaveA
9th August 2014, 08:11 PM
Hello all,
Here is a photo of a weapon I just acquired but not yet in my hands. Am I correct in thinking this is a Moro bangkung? The seller identified it as a "banyal" but I cannot find any substantive reference to a sword of that name that looks like this. Is banyal another word for bangkung?
Overall, this sword/knife measures about 17 inches with the blade about 11 inches. At the widest portion of the blade, it measures 1 ¾ inches.
Thank you in advance for your comments.
Best Regards,
Dave A.
Battara
9th August 2014, 11:18 PM
It doesn't quite strike me as a bang kung. So I guess it would be a banyal, which is a new word at least to me.
DaveA
9th August 2014, 11:52 PM
Consider these sources …
Sandata - The Edged Weapons of the Philippines (http://www.arscives.com/historysteel/philippines.introduction.htm)
Bangkung
Considerably rarer than the panabas, the bangkung is a short, single-edged weapon that varies from 50 to 75 centimeters (#21,22). Close to the hilt, the laminated blade is thick and narrow increasing in width towards the tip. The cutting edge often has a slight upward curve. Hilts on older bangkung were of the cockatoo style with a metal sleeve similar to the barung.
Mine, at roughly 43cm is too small. However, the other features match.
PHIL SWORDS - FINAL SELECTION (http://www.arscives.com/historysteel/philippines.swords.htm)
See bangkung, item 181.
The general overall shape is a match. There are other examples elsewhere also. Finally, this thread in the forums includes:
Show us your bankung, post #13 (http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpost.php?p=168670&postcount=13)
See the top example, which is here yet CharlesS says it is "NOT a bangkung". :eek: This is the best match of all.
So :shrug: maybe it is either an unusual bangkung or bunyal (hoping someone can say more about that term!)
Thanks B.
- Dave A.
Ian
10th August 2014, 03:57 AM
Dave:
I looked at that knife/sword also when it was up for sale. Could not make up my mind if it was Moro or Visayan because it seemed to have a chisel edge. However, if it is Moro then there may be a clue in the scabbard as to where it came from.
Moro weapons of the Sulu archipelago and Mindanao do not usually have a drilled through "hanger" to tie the sword or knife around the waist. Generally the weapon is tucked into the waist band or a sash. However, this hanger arrangement is seen on scabbards from Palawan and from N. Borneo, so that may be where this sword/knife came from.
The hilt also has somewhat of a N. Borneo look to it as well, especially the shape of the pommel and its carving. That would be my preference for its origin if the blade turns out to be V-ground.
As to what to call it, I think it's a bit small to call it a bangkung, because the bangkung is regarded as being of sword length. But, hey, what's in a name really?
Regards,
Ian
DaveA
10th August 2014, 04:07 AM
Ian,
Thanks. It relieves me no end to know that those far more astute than I are also uncertain! :D
The clue about the drilled through "hanger" tie is a new one to me. Very helpful.
When it arrives, I will post more pictures in this thread of the major features.
"But hey, what's in a name really?"
:shrug:
Good point. And since when do we expect the categories to be nice and tidy? Obviously someone had a need for a knife like this and someone had an idea about what to make and now we have this odd "not bangkung", which is what I might start calling it.
- Dave
Ian
10th August 2014, 04:20 AM
Here is one of mine from Palawan. Late 20th C. The scabbard has a drilled-through hanger and jute rope for tying it around the waist.
Ian.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/Igreaves/Palawanobangkung1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/Igreaves/Palawanobankung2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/Igreaves/Palawanobangkung3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/Igreaves/Palawanobangkung6.jpg
DaveA
11th August 2014, 11:41 PM
:eek:
DaveA
15th August 2014, 03:49 AM
The item arrived and I've given it a good wash and superficial rust from the blade. It cleaned up nicely!
Sajen
15th August 2014, 09:48 AM
Look much better on your pictures as from the seller ones. Nice sword however you will call it! :) ;)
Regards,
Detlef
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