MARANAO ARMOUR KNIFE

[tanaruz]

Hi friends,

My father's collection of a Maranao armour suite (kota). Question: what do you call that knife that comes with it? See picture of the knife below the shield. Thanks. Yves

[kai]

Hello Ives,

This amour is not Moro, the necklace and cap even less so.

This is modern, non-traditional work: definitely after WW2 and likely last quarter of the 20th century.

The knife's pommel alludes to Bagobo style but I'm afraid this ensemble was never meant to be utilized within any traditional culture. Sorry for the bad news.

Regards,
Kai

[David]

I'm afraid i must agree with Kai on this. This is all modern and just for display, nothing else. :shrug:

[Ian]

Hello Yves:

I agree with the previous replies, this is probably post-WWII brass work from Maranao craftsmen, but the quality of the workmanship is high. It took a lot of time and skill to produce these pieces, of which many have been made by hand rather than cast. The extensive use of "hawk bells" does suggest a Bagobo style, as noted by Kai, and the suite may have been made for a Bagobo datu. Are there any "tiger bells" on it?

Regarding your question about the knife, I don't know what it is called and it does not appear to be a traditional pattern for either the Moro or Bagobo.

A very unusual ensemble.

Ian