Origin of the Kalinga Axe

[Nonoy Tan]

Since Bill M. initiated the thread on the origins of the Kampilan, I wish to follow his lead and start this thread on the origins of the Kalinga (for lack of a better term) axe of Northern Luzon, Philippines.

Early German travellers to Luzon mentioned that these were made in certain towns which had the expert blacksmiths in the area. However, they did not say where these blacksmiths learned the form of such axes.

Some say that the axes had their origins from Dao axes of Burma/India. However, offer no proof or detailed explanation.

Here are photos of a variety of these axes.

[migueldiaz]

Hi Nonoy,

Thanks for those nice photos of the famous northern Philippine headhunters' battle-axes!

Those head-axes were actually my first love ... until I got seduced by the dark side ;) ... and that's why I'm now into Moro swords.

For those unfamiliar with the northern Philippines, there is this mountain range there called the Cordilleras which is about the size of the state of New Jersey.

And said Cordillera region consists of the following provinces: Benguet, Abra, Kalinga, Apayao, Mountain Province, and Ifugao. Baguio City is the most popular urban area inside the Cordilleras.

And the subject head-axes are found in the Cordillera region.

So Nonoy, don't you think it would be better to call said head-axe as the "Cordillera head-axe", given that it can be found not only in Kalinga but in the other provinces of the Cordilleras as well? Just a thought ...

From various early-1900s US publications, I was able to gather the pics below. The best resource I've found so far is Albert Jenks' The Bontoc Igorot (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/3308/3308-h/3308-h.htm) (1905).

The head-axes coming from Bontoc province are the ones with the shorter axe head. The ones coming from Abra province [Balbelasan in particular] have longer handles, and larger and sleeker axe heads (the topmost pic below).

Best regards.

[migueldiaz]

Hello Nonoy,

As for the probable origin of the design of the "Cordillera head-axe" (if I may use that term), I'm not sure myself.

I'm now holding a copy of David Howard's The Last Filipino Head Hunters (http://www.amazon.com/Last-Filipino-Head-Hunters/dp/086719507X) (2000).

It doesn't say anything though about the origins of the subject axe.

All it says is that the Cordillera natives (called "Igorot") must have come from the waves of migration coming from the Malayas and East Asia, thousands of years ago.

The book also says that it was perhaps in the 300 BC migration of Malays into the Philippines that a higher level of doing arts and crafts (including metalworks) came to be.

And one of the offshoots would be the enhancement of the famous rice terraces (photos attached), which for sure required the use of a lot of metal tools.

[VANDOO]

JUST TO DROP IN ONE OF MY WILDER THOUGHTS!! :rolleyes:

THERE IS ANOTHER ITEM MADE A LOT LIKE THE HEAD AX'S AND EITHER ITEM WITH SOME MODIFICATION WOULD WORK VERY WELL FOR HEAD TAKEING OR CLEANING AS WELL AS FOR OTHER JOBS.
THE BACK SPIKE IN BOTH CASES IS DRIVEN INTO THE GROUND OR A LOG OR SOMETHING SOFT ENOUGH THAT WILL HOLD THE BLADE FIRMLY SO YOU CAN WORK ON YOUR ITEM WITH THE SHARP EDGE.
THIS DESIGN WOULD BE EXCELLENT FOR HUSKING COCONUTS AND THERE ARE TOOLS FOR THAT JOB THAT HAVE A LOT IN COMMON WITH THE AX.

SO OFF WE GO INTO THE LAND OF CONJECTURE :rolleyes:

PERHAPS A TRADER MADE UP SOME TOOLS TO TRADE TO THE LOCALS FOR USE IN PRODUCING COPRA FOR TRADE. THE LOCALS FOUND BY PUTTING A DIFFERENT, LONGER HANDLE ON THEM THEY COULD BE USED AS A WEAPON AND COULD WORK ON COCONUTS OR HEADS EQUALLY WELL. SO OF COURSE EVERYONE WANTED ONE AND TWO MARKETS FOR THEM WAS CREATED INSTEAD OF JUST THE ONE :D
AFTER ALL YOU CAN USE A SHARPENED STICK OR A ROCK FOR HUSKING COCONUTS SO PERHAPS A STEEL BLADE WAS WAY TOO COOL TO USE FOR THAT COMMON JOB SO A HIGHER USE WAS FOUND FOR THEM. :cool:

THATS MY STORY AND I'M STICKING TO IT :p

SOME SAY I HAVE A FERTILE IMAGINATION OTHERS SAY MY HEAD IS FULL OF S..T ;)

[migueldiaz]

Related thread: Philippine axe (http://216.219.192.186/vb/showthread.php?t=591)

[migueldiaz]

SOME SAY I HAVE A FERTILE IMAGINATION OTHERS SAY MY HEAD IS FULL OF S..T ;)
Hi Vandoo,

A false dilemma I must say. There may not necessarily be a conflict between the two. ... the latter actually has qualities related to fertility ;) :D

That sir is a joke of course! :) I always enjoy reading your posts in fact; and I always learn and get encouraged from doing so. So thanks indeed for the comments above and elsewhere.

In all seriousness, I agree with your conjecture that things may have developed spontaneously.

After Nonoy started this topic, I again turned to Herbert Krieger's 1926 study of Philippine "primitive" weapons:

"No difference existed originally between implements and weapons. The digging stick is also the first weapon form. A heavy stick is also a club. A club with a knob becomes a still more effective weapon when sharpened to an edge on one of the surfaces, thus becoming an ax. Point and stick and it becomes a spear for combat at a distance. If the stick is short it becomes a dagger suitable for defensive and offensive use at close quarters. Flatten the stick and prolong its sharpened edge to full length of the stick and it becomes a sword. A short flat stick with sharpened lateral edge becomes a knife. If the stick with bulbous end is edged transversely to its longitudinal axis, the ax becomes a hoe. The stick which has acquired a knife-blade edge is also a useful household implement. The same quality of use applies to objects of stone and to the metals, such as copper and iron. Among primitive peoples sharp-edged iron knives used in the household, in hunting and in the handicrafts are also weapons of combat."

So Professor Vandoo, I think you are right on the money! :)

[Bill]

I've seen where it was stated that the "prong" side was hacked into the ground & the ax side used for a cutting station.
The ritualistic taking of heads was varied between groups. What really controlled the population was never ending acts of retaliation. The kin of someone that lost their head would attempt to capture the head of the original head taker. If they couldn't find him, they would go after next of kin or anyone they could find in his clan.
Early American governors out-lawed the taking of heads & negotiated a series of "bodong" or peace pacts, that greatly reduced the taking of heads.
Tattooing was varied between the groups but was often a sign of a successful head taker. Since next of kin was wanted for revenge, the wife of a head taker would also have tattoos that could id her, if she became a victim.
If you look at early pictures, 1900-1930, you often see heavily tattooed men & quite a few head ax's. From the 1930's & on, both the tattooing & carrying of head ax's diminish.
Masferre's photo's (1934-56) in "People of Philippine Cordillera" pretty clearly shows this. Only one picture of a man with a head ax & he had just came back from a trip to another village. Also the 20 years of his pictures suggest the tattooing had decreased.
Not to say head taking had completely stopped in this time period but it certainly became infrequent.
I'm leaning the head ax was for taking of heads & most would pre-date 1940, with the exception of those that were specifically made to sell to GI's as souvenirs.

[Nonoy Tan]

To use "Cordillera Axe" as a generic term makes sense, without of course ignoring the more specific "Kalinga Axe" (which refers to those axes made by blacksmiths in Kalinga). The Ifugao, though, did not seem to traditionally use the axe in the past. On the other hand, Ifugao who have migrated to other regions in the Cordillera have adopted the axe.

The axe became less visible starting the early 1900s when the American colonial governement banned it. Still, the natives kept producing the axe but kept it as a tool at home. In its place, the bolo became more popular as tool that can be carried in public.

In the 19th century, the natives called it the "Aliwa" (refering to the axe with a crescent moon shape). Accounts of a German traveller during that time attribute "Aliwa" to a place where such an axe could be acquired.

I suspect that the "Kalinga" axe was created after metal forging was already introduced into the Cordillera regions by the Malays (directly or indirectly) and not before - as the spike of the axe would have been useful only if it was made of metal (not wood), especially when used as Vandoo suggested. Is it possible that the spike was a later feature of the axe? (developed when metal was available). Or maybe the axe is new - i.e. a creation made no earlier than the late 19th century.

[Nonoy Tan]

Going back to tracing it origins ....

The crescent moon-shaped axe appears to me in the shape of the hornbill, whose red beak is used by the Ilongot to represent excitement (as in headhunting forays). I wonder if there is any connection.

Unfortunately, accounts of early travellers in the Cordillera (which mention the axe) do not seem to go earlier than the late 19th century.

The origins of the Kalinga axe is puzzling.

[migueldiaz]

I've seen where it was stated that the "prong" side was hacked into the ground & the ax side used for a cutting station ...

Not to say head taking had completely stopped in this time period but it certainly became infrequent.
Hi Bill,

Yes, I've also read about the subject battle axe being used as an adze, using the technique you've just mentioned.

I also heard that the other (grisly) use of the spike is to pick up the fallen opponent's severed head.

I've also heard from Igorots that the spike is also used as a grappling tool when Igorots scale steep hillsides.

Finally, there are rumors that up to this day, there are still isolated cases of headhunting, to settle scores between feuding clans living deep in the highlands of the Cordilleras.

... maybe the axe is new - i.e. a creation made no earlier than the late 19th century.
Hi Nonoy,

If the axe is new, then the question to my mind is what did the Igorot warriors use then for close quarters combat?

Given that the Igorots didn't develop a sword for the purpose, wouldn't it follow then that the battle axe was there all along, and it cannot be a recent creation by necessity?

They say that the ninja's primary weapon is really the bow and arrow. And the katana only comes in as a weapon of last resort, when things weren't resolved at farther distances.

For the Moros, it may be the same thing. The spear is the one used first, and the barong and the kris would come in only later.

The Igorots fight the same way. And some actually carry two spears: one is used as a missile, and the other is used for close combat. Or if the Igorot happened to carry just one spear (which may be more prevalent), then we can suppose that it will be the axe that will be used for close combat.

So wouldn't the axe of the Igorot be by necessity an ancient weapon also, given the said fighting style, and given further the practice of headhunting as their ultimate recreation?

On the latter point, we read this from Jenks' early-1900s study of the Igorots:

"His [the Bontoc male] social life is lowly, and before marriage is most primitive; but a man has only one wife, to whom he is usually faithful. The social group is decidedly democratic; there are no slaves [isn't this cool and a very advanced concept at the time?]. The people are neither drunkards, gamblers, nor 'sportsmen.' There is little 'color' in the life of the Igorot; he is not very inventive and seems to have little imagination [hey ...]. His chief recreation—certainly his most-enjoyed and highly prized recreation—is head-hunting."

[The words in brackets above are mine obviously. And I was also the one who supplied the underscoring.]

To my mind thus, given that the decapitation of the enemy's head is part and parcel of the Igorots' battlefield practice, and given further that the taking of heads is his chief leisure activity, by necessity the axe has to be as old as the Igorot society.

As to its origins, perhaps it's already staring us in the face.

The Cordillera axe for all we know must be the truly original ethnic Filipino weapon-and-tool!

Just my 2 cents :)

PS -

Historians say that the Igorot must have been the quintessential ethnic Filipinos, as they were the ones least influenced by colonizers, being the least accessible.

Thus once again, couldn't it be that the subject axe is indeed an ethnic Filipino original, a weapon and a tool that was shaped by the Igorots' way of life, without the influence of outsiders?

The plot thickens? ;)

If I were a Phil. history student, I'd certainly like to make this as the subject of my dissertation.

Nonoy, with your connections to the Phil. museums and perhaps even the academe, maybe you'd like to suggest to them that more studies be made on the subject?

[Tim Simmons]

What fantastic information, thanks for bringing it to my attention. I like this sort of info. The kind that blows away the cobwebs of collector lore. Especially the lore that the axe in the last picture post were only tools. Cearly they are tools for doing fatal harm to other humans. To my mind a good fighting quality axe is far more easy to make than a sword. In isolated areas along with the spear they would be the primary weapons rather like the Naga weapons. :cool: :cool:

How does that collector rubbish start? :shrug:

[VANDOO]

I AM SURE THERE WERE VARIOUS TYPES OF AX.S USED IN THE PHILIPPINES LONG BEFORE RECORDED HISTORY. CLUBS BEING ONE OF THE EARLIEST WEAPONS IN ALL SOCIETYS. AN AX IS A CLUB WITH SOMETHING ATTACHED WITH A SHARP EDGE, THE ADZ IS ANOTHER PREHISTORIC FORM FOUND IN MOST ALL PRIMATIVE SOCIETYS ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO DID WOOD WORK OR MADE CANOES.
I HAVE SEEN TURTLE AND OTHER MARINE ANIMAL BONES AND SPINES SET INTO VARIOUS FORMS OF CLUB AND SOME HAD ENOUGH OF AN EDGE TO QUALIFY AS AN AX. STONE HEADED AX'S WERE COMMON IN THE AMERICAS AS WELL AS MANY OTHER PLACES. I PERSONALLY CAN'T THINK OF ANOTHER WAR AX WITH THE BACK SPIKE DESIGNED TO STICK INTO THE GROUND OR A LOG. THE MOUNTANEERING CLIMBING OR ICE AX AND THE MINERS PICK COME TO MIND BUT BOTH ARE MORE PICK THAN AX.

MANY FORMS OF BATTLE AX AND MACE MAY HAVE HAD A SHARP SPIKE USED TO PENETRATE ARMOR BUT AS THEY DID NOT HAVE HEAVY METAL ARMOR IN LUZON AND THE HEAD AX IS WAY TOO LIGHT AND FLIMSY TO STRIKE A TELLING BLOW ANYWAY. I PERSONALLY WOULD PERFER TO FIGHT EQUIPED WITH.
1. SPEAR AND SHIELD
2. PRANG AND SHIELD
3. AX AND SPEAR
IN THAT ORDER.
THE AX MIGHT BE USEFUL TO HOOK A SHIELD ASIDE AND LEAVE AN OPENING FOR YOUR SPEAR THRUST BUT YOU WOULD EITHER NEED MORE THAN 2 HANDS OR HAVE TO DO WITHOUT A SHIELD. :eek:
PERHAPS A STUDY HAS BEEN DONE ON HUMAN REMAINS FROM THE HEADHUNTING DAYS IF SO IT SHOULD BE EASY TO IDENTIFY HOLES IN THE BONES MADE BY SUCH A BLADE OR BACK SPIKE. IF THEY ARE PRESENT IN LARGE NUMBERS AND HAVE STRUCK WITH GREAT FORCE IT WOULD INDICATE THEY WERE A PRIMARY WEAPON. IF NOT FOUND OR FOUND VERY RARELY OR ALWAYS IN THE SAME SPOTS, I WOULD SAY IT WAS A MORE RICTUALISTIC TOOL THAN WEAPON.
PERHAPS IT WAS CARRIED TO WAR AS A TAILSMAN AND TO SHOW YOUR STATUS AS ONE WHO HAD TAKEN HEADS AND WAS MOSTLY USED TO PERFORM SOME RITUALS IN PREPARING THE HEAD. :shrug:
WE WILL PROBABLY NEVER KNOW WHAT IT EVOLVED FROM OR WHERE IT WAS DESIGNED ,UNLESS SOME ARCHEOLOGIST OR HISTORICAL INVESTIGATOR EITHER FINDS A PATENT FOR A ACME COCONUT HUSKING TOOL FROM THE 1800'S OR A BOX OF THEM AT A FLEA MARKET. OR PERHAPS SOME DRAWINGS FROM THE UNKNOWN LEONARDO OF THE PHILIPPINES SHOWING HIS DESIGNS FOR ONE. :D
IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE TO FIND OUT IF IT WAS A PRIMARY WEAPON THRU HISTORIC RECORDS AND ARCHEOLOGICAL STUDIES. (HAS ANYONE READ ANY ACTUAL ACCOUNTS OF THEM BEING USED IN BATTLE?) I AM SURE AN OBSERVER FROM ANOTHER AREA WOULD HAVE MADE A NOTE ON IT SOMEWHERE IF IT WAS ACTUALLY OBSERVED.

PERHAPS OUR MEMBERS IN THE PHILIPPINES CAN PRINT SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS OUT AND TAKE THEM TO THE MUSEUMS , UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS OR ARCHEOLOGISTS AND SEE IF THEY HAVE THE ANSWERS. IF THEY DO NOT, PERHAPS IT WILL INTEREST THEM ENOUGH TO DO THE STUDIES. :)

THE HEAD AX IN ITS FINAL FORM WAS NOT A JUST A TOOL BUT IT STILL COULD HAVE EVOLVED FROM ONE. WHO IS TO SAY THE CLUB OR SPEAR DID NOT EVOLVE FROM A DIGGING STICK. :p
MANKIND COMES UP WITH A USE FOR SOMETHING AND THEN FINDS OTHER USES FOR THE PRINCIPLE AND ADAPTS IT SO IT CAN BE USED IN MANY OTHER WAYS.
THE IDEA FIRST THEN THE TOOL OR WEAPON AND THEN ADAPTATION FROM WEAPON TO TOOL OR TOOL TO WEAPON AND SO ON.

YOU CAN BRING AN OBJECT THAT HAS A SPECIFIC USE IN YOUR SOCIETY AND PLAN TO INTRODUCE IT TO ANOTHER SOCIETY AS A MORE EFFECIENT TOOL FOR ONE SPECIFIC JOB OF YOUR CHOOSING. ONLY TO FIND THEY HAVE DECIDED IT IS MORE USEFUL FOR SOMETHING ENTIRELY DIFFERENT THAN YOU PLANNED.
JUST CONJECTURE WITH A BIT OF LOGIC THROWN IN HERE AND THERE. BUT PERHAPS THE THOUGHTS MAY INTREST THOSE IN THE FIELDS THAT CAN FIND THE ANSWERS OR PERHAPS THEY WILL JUST SAY NONSENSE !! WE WILL BE SATISFIED WITH WHAT WE HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED FOREVER.

[migueldiaz]

Unfortunately, accounts of early travellers in the Cordillera (which mention the axe) do not seem to go earlier than the late 19th century.
Hi Nonoy,

I have good news for you.

In William Henry Scott's Barangay: Sixteenth-century Philippine Culture and Society (http://books.google.com/books?id=15KZU-yMuisC&printsec=frontcover&dq=boxer+codex+moros+of+luzon&source=gbs_summary_r&cad=0#PPA268,M1) (1994), we read of this early account of the head axe:

"They [the Ibanags of Cagayan, an area right beside the Cordilleras] carried shield large enough to cover the whole body, and went to battle clad only in G-strings, with bodies well oiled in case of hand-to-hand grappling (although quilted armor was known upstream in Gaddang territory -- that is, modern Isabela). Their weapons were leaf-shaped daggers 20 to 30 centimeters long (inalag), spears (suppil if plain, saffuring if barbed), and one which in modern times would be called the head ax -- bunang, 'machete of the natives,' Father Bugarin (1676, 80) said, 'like a crescent moon with a long point.' Unlike the inalag, the bunang cannot be put in a scabbard (alag)."

Looks to me that this is the Cordillera axe we are tracing, and it is going farther and farther back into the past :)

[Vandoo, I'm still ruminating on those fine points you made in your last post. Thanks for sharing those.]

[migueldiaz]

What fantastic information, thanks for bringing it to my attention. I like this sort of info ...
Hi Tim,

We will all see where this whodunnit story will finally lead us to :)

Regards.

[Nonoy Tan]

Thank you for all that enlightening information!

I also did a bit of research this weekend and came up with the following:


1. An 1876 painting by P. Benigno Fernandez show a man with a head-axe (image herewith).

2. The Charles Wilkes Expedition of 1838-1842 gathered thousands of specimens from several countries, which included several “head axes” from the Luzon Cordillera, Philippines. They are currently stored at the US National Museum (Smithsonian Institution).

3. “Informe sabre el Estado de las Islas Filipinas en 1842” written by Sinibaldo de Mas mentions the “Aliua” – the term which appears in Spanish records to refer to the head-axe (also sometimes “Aliwa” or “Ligua”).

4. “Vingt annees aux Philippines” (1853) by Paul P. de la Gironiere, illustrates the head-axe.

5. An English transation of “Noticias de los Infieles Igorrotes en lo interior de la Isla de Manila” (an 1789 manuscript by Francisco Antolin) mentions the axe. I have not read the original text, however. Thus, this evidence needs confirmation when I have verified the translation.

[migueldiaz]

JUST CONJECTURE WITH A BIT OF LOGIC THROWN IN HERE AND THERE. BUT PERHAPS THE THOUGHTS MAY INTREST THOSE IN THE FIELDS THAT CAN FIND THE ANSWERS OR PERHAPS THEY WILL JUST SAY NONSENSE !! WE WILL BE SATISFIED WITH WHAT WE HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED FOREVER.
Hi Vandoo,

Those were a lot of fine points you raised and I'm sure it sent most of us thinking even more deeply into the subject.

And yes, I do hope that those who'll be doing formal research will stumble upon this thread.

With regard to the specifics you mentioned, just some quick comments:

[1] indeed forensic science a la CSI can be used to investigate the headless skeletons and mummies, to find clues on whether the axe was the one used in decapitation (as well as whether the other injury marks were axe-inflicted); and

[2] on previous studies done by universities, I will be able to get a copy this Friday of a masteral thesis on "Bontok [Cordillera] warfare", from a local university; we'll find out if there'd be additional insights we can get from that paper.

Best regards :)

[Nonoy Tan]

A few points:

1. In fact, the axe was used to decapitate. So many evidence of that.
2. Not all Cordillerans traditionally use the axe for decapitation. Some use the bolo.
3. The Cordillera people are classified into different groups, and each may have different way of going about headhunting. Some keep the skulls and display them at the village, some bury them, some throw them away. Differences can be seen between the Ifugao, Applai, I-lagod, Bontoc, Kankaney, Ilongot, Gaddang, I'wak, Ibaloi, Kalinga, Isneg, Itneg, etc. It is difficult to generalize - differences between adjacent villages within the same "tribe" exists too. It is not easy studying the Cordillera peoples because there are so many groups - not to mention the Agta who also practiced headhunting in the past. Well, so did the Zambals, Tagalogs, Ilocanos, Visayans and almost everyone in the Philippines!

I think that there has been an over-emphasis on headhunting attributed to the Cordillerans (because of past writings by Americans in the 1900s) without including the rest of the Philippines. The key to understanding the headhunting ways of the Cordillerans (in its original form) is by knowing how the rest of the country's inhabitants practiced it. My 2 cents.

[Nonoy Tan]

Here are two interesting examples, both originating from the Cordillera area:

1. The specimen is an axe with a stone axe head. Handle is hardwood. Heavy. More likely a club than a cutting blade or axe.

2. Looks like a Panabas from Mindanao, but actually from northeastern luzon.

[migueldiaz]

It is not easy studying the Cordillera peoples because there are so many groups ...
Hi Nonoy,

I agree. And I also agree that it appears that not all Cordillerans practiced headhunting, or were warlike.

I've just finished browsing the book Ethnography of the Major Ethnolinguistic Groups of the Cordillera (http://www.newdaypublishers.com/catalog.php?c=47&i=191) (2003). The book is described by the publisher as "a compilation of what is already known about the various groups as described by historians, anthropologists, missionaries, and travelers who recorded the early life of these groups of people collectively called Igorots".

We can see in the summary below that there are groups in which weapons were not observed to play a major role in that group's sub-culture:

A. The Bontoks

Weapons: battle axe (pin-nang/ pinangas); knife and spears (falfeg, fangkao, sinalawitan), and shield (kalasag)

B. The Ibaloys

Weapons: spear (kayang); shield (kalasag), bow and arrow (bekang and pana), and the war club (papa) [Scheer 1905:153]

They use axes (guwasay) but it is a tool and not a weapon.

C. The Ikalahans

Weapons: none mentioned

[Although] "Every adult male carries a backpack called akbot, made of deer hide. A bolo with a wooden scabbard [pinahig?] strapped to the waist is an indispensable equipment of the men. They never leave the house without it. It is about one and a half to two feet long, and held by a belt (balkah) made of finely woven rattan ...."

D. The Ifugaos

Weapons: none mentioned

E. The Isnegs

"The single most important tool of the Isneg man is the bolo (badang). This is a large, single-bladed knife used to cut firewood, fell trees, clear brush, and kill animals (Keyes in Reynolds and Grant 1973:26). In the olden days, the bolo was also used in warfare. Another important tool is the aliwa, a thin-bladed axe with the back drawn out. This is used for all cutting purposes. The women also have an all-purpose tool called the iko, a small hatchet used in harvesting play and carried by the women in their headdress."

F. The Kalingas

"The name Kalinga is believed to have come from the Ibanag "kali-nga" and the Gaddang "kalinga" which both mean headhunters, hence, the Kalinga people must have acquired their name because of their tradition of head taking and tribal war."

Weapons: head axe (sinawit), bolo (gaman/ badang), and spears (balbog/ tubay/ say-ang); the shield (kalasag) is made from light but sturdy wood, the sablang tree.

G. The Northern Kankana-eys

Weapons: bolo (gamig), axe (wasay), and spear (balbeg);

the axe is further classified into three types -- the pinagada, the pannakot, and the gaman;

the first two are tools, and the gaman was the type used for headhunting ("consists of an iron ring that holds the axe head in place, and an iron band at the end of the handle").

H. The Southern Kankana-eys

Weapons: none mentioned

I. The Tingguians/ Itnegs

Weapons: lance or spear (pika), shield (kalasag), head axe (aliwa or gaman), small bamboo spikes (soga), blow gun (salbatana), and bamboo spear (sinolbong);

the shield used is similar in form to that of the Bontoks and Kalingas.

The MAP (http://www.muturzikin.com/cartesasiesudest/5.htm) below will give us an idea of the distribution of these groups within the Cordillera.

In the map, Manila will be about 2.5 squares below where "17" is printed. And the Cordillera has its own zoomed-in map, found on the upper right-hand corner.

[Nonoy Tan]

What excellent map and illustration of the complexity we are dealing here ;)

Thank you for citing the 1676 citing of the axe, too! I can imagine now the possibility that the crescent-shaped head axe may not be Cordilleran afterall, but Ibanag! I hope we can get a collaborative source through diligent research.

Let me add to the absence of representation of the Ifugao on the "Ethnolinguistic ..." book

Ifugao:

Spear or "pahul" which can take the form of a "balabog", "kinango", "gayang", "ludit"; "hinolgat" (war spear)

Also uses the shield (2 types); ax (as a tool); bolo (2 types - "Pinahig" and "Hinalung"); bow and arrow (as an early weapon which became "extinct"); and lasso

[migueldiaz]

Here are two interesting examples, both originating from the Cordillera area:

1. The specimen is an axe with a stone axe head. Handle is hardwood. Heavy. More likely a club than a cutting blade or axe.

Interesting axe design.

On a related matter, I saw the axe below in a Manila antique shop. Would anybody recognize this shape and as to where this may have come from?

To me the axe below is like those Crocs sandals -- "It's so ugly it's cute." ;) :D

Hope somebody can comment on the pic below. Thanks in advance!

Note: It's the lighting and the mode of the camera that made everything appear yellowish. In reality, the wooden handle is really wooden in color, and the metal axe-head is dark colored as it is covered all over with inactive rust.

[Nonoy Tan]

It is an Ifugao adze used to work on wood, not a weapon.

[migueldiaz]

Nonoy, thanks for the info on the Ifugao adze (and for the painting, too).

Back to the question on the probable age of the design of the Cordillera axe, perhaps one way to find the answer is to estimate the age of the shield's design.

For the two seem to function hand in hand:

"The Tinggian, Kalinga, and other northern tribes use the shield in combat at close quarters. The three upper prong projections are brought down violently against the enemy's legs so that he is tripped; when he is prostrate, the other or looser shield end with the two projecting prongs is brought down over his neck. The victim can then be effectively decapitated with the head ax that the head-hunter always carries with him." [Krieger 1926 96]

"With these tribes [Tinggian and Kalinga], it [the shield] is fashioned into three long prongs and two below... It has even an offensive purpose. In combat, the endeavor is often made to suddenly thrust the three prongs of the upper end against the opponent's legs and with a quick twist trip him up. As soon as he falls, the two prongs at the opposite end are jammed over his neck, pinning his head to the ground and allowing his easy decapitation." [Dean C. Worcester 1913, in National Geographic Society: 'The non-christian peoples of the Philippine Islands']."

Given that the victim can still be alive when the decapitation is made, the beheading has to be swift.

And a swift strike of the head axe will neatly do the job.

The samurai also used a shorter blade (wakizashi) when decapitating his fallen foe. The longer katana would have been impractical for the purpose.

Thus for me the institution of head-hunting means that just like the Cordillera shield, a short blade like the Cordillera axe must have been a very old design, given that the two appear to be two sides of the same coin.

PS - Per Krieger, the Igorot shield just like the Moro shield, has space on the hand-grab just for three fingers. The thumb and the pinky are made to rest outside the slot, to dexterously angle the shield when parrying a blow.

[Rick]

Great thread Gentlemen !
Surely destined for the Classics .
Press on ! :cool:

[VANDOO]

I HAVE READ THOSE ACCOUNTS OF HOW THE SHIELD WAS USED, IT COULD BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. BUT YOU WOULD NOT WANT TO TRY IT IF YOUR OPPONENT WAS STILL AWAKE AND ARMED AS YOU WOULD EXPOSE YOURSELF TO AN ATTACK WHICH YOU COULD NOT AVOID OR BLOCK. IF YOU WERE IN FRONT OF THE FELLOW USING THE SHIELD TO PIN DOWN HIS NECK IT WOULD BE SOMEWHAT AWKWARD TO STRIKE OFF HIS HEAD QUICKLY.
IT WOULD WORK WELL ON A FOE WHO WAS UNCONCIOUS ,DEAD OR UNARMED AND VERY WEAK, BUT YOU WOULD HAVE TO BE VERY AGILE AND QUICK TO USE THAT METHOD ON A STRONG STRUGGLING FOE EVEN IF HE WAS NOT ARMED.
ANOTHER THING THAT IS PUZZELING :confused: IN THE LAST TWO PICTURES THE THREE PRONGS ARE AT THE TOP AND IF THE 3 ARE TO BE USED TO TRIP UP YOUR OPPONENT THEY SHOULD BE AT THE BOTTOM. THEY COULD BE POSED PICTURES BUT EVEN THEN I SUSPECT A WARRIOR WOULD NOT HOLD HIS SHIELD UPSIDE DOWN, IT WOULD MAKE AS MUCH SENSE TO HOLD HIS SPEAR OR AX BACKWARDS.
I HAVE READ SOMEWHERE THAT THE SHAPE OF THE SHIELD REPRESENTS THE HUMAN FORM THE TWO PROTRUSIONS BEING THE LEGS AND THE THREE UPPER BEING THE TWO ARMS AND THE HEAD IN THE MIDDLE. IF THIS IS THE CASE THEN THE SHIELD WOULD BE HELD IN THE MANNER SHOWN IN THE PICTURES. YOU WOULD NOT WANT TO GO INTO BATTLE WITH YOUR SHEILD STANDING ON ITS HEAD. :)
THE SIMPLE SHAPED SHIELD LOOKS LIKE THOSE USED BY THE DAYAKS OF BORNEO AMONG OTHERS.

I SUSPECT THAT AMBUSHES AND BATTLES STARTED WITH A UNIFORM CHARGE THAT QUICKLY TURNED INTO A MELE AND WHEN YOU DOWNED A MAN YOU TURNED ON ANOTHER OR HELPED ANOTHER OF YOUR TRIBESMEN. THE LOSEING SIDE WOULD CUT AND RUN LEAVING THE WINNERS TO COLLECT HEADS AT LEISURE AND SEE TO THEIR DEAD AND WOUNDED.

[migueldiaz]

... THE LAST TWO PICTURES THE THREE PRONGS ARE AT THE TOP AND IF THE 3 ARE TO BE USED TO TRIP UP YOUR OPPONENT THEY SHOULD BE AT THE BOTTOM.
Hi Vandoo,

Then perhaps that's the reason why the logo of the Phil. National Police had the shield rotated 180 degrees (image attached).

(By the way, the said logo adopted the silhouette of Lapu Lapu with a kampilan as the central image.)

On how Igorot battles are conducted, this account from Jenks' The Bontoc Igorot (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/3308/3308-h/3308-h.htm) (1905) is very close to what you just described:

"Men go to war armed with a wooden shield, a steel battle-ax, and one to three steel or wooden spears. It is a man’s agility and skill in keeping his shield between himself and the enemy that preserves his life. Their battles are full of quick, incessant springing motion. There are sudden rushes and retreats, sneaking flank movements to cut an enemy off. The body is always in hand, always in motion, that it may respond instantly to every necessity. Spears are thrown with greatest accuracy and fatality up to 30 feet, and after the spears are discharged the contest, if continued, is at arms’ length with the battle-axes. In such warfare no attitude or position can safely be maintained except for the shortest possible time.

"Challenges and bluffs are sung out from either side, and these bluffs are usually 'called.' In the last Bontoc-Tulubin foray a fine, strapping Tulubin warrior sung out that he wanted to fight ten men—he was taken at his word so suddenly that his head was a Bontoc prize before his friends could rally to assist him.

xxx

"Rocks are often thrown in battle, and not infrequently a man’s leg is broken or he is knocked senseless by a rock, whereupon he loses his head to the enemy, unless immediately assisted by his friends.

"There is little formality about the head taking. Most heads are cut off with the battle-ax before the wounded man is dead. Not infrequently two or more men have thrown their spears into a man who is disabled. If among the number there is one who has never taken a head, he will generally be allowed to cut this one from the body, and thus be entitled to a head taker’s distinct tattoo. However, the head belongs to the man who threw the first disabling spear, and it finds its resting place in his ato. If there is time, men of other ato may cut off the man’s hands and feet to be displayed in their ato. Sometimes succeeding sections of the arms and legs are cut and taken away, so only the trunk is left on the field.

"Frequently a battle ends when a single head is taken by either side—the victors calling out, 'Now you go home, and we will go home; and if you want to fight some other day, all right!' In this way battles are ended in an hour or so, and often in half an hour. However, they have battles lasting half a day, and ten or a dozen heads are taken.

"Seven pueblos of the lower Quiangan region went against the scattered groups of dwellings in the Banawi area of the upper Quiangan region in May, 1902. The invaders had seven guns, but the people of Banawi had more than sixty—a fact the invaders did not know until too late. However, they did not retire until they had lost a hundred and fifty heads. They annihilated one of the groups of the enemy, getting about fifty heads, and burned down the dwellings. This is by far the fiercest Igorot battle of which there is any memory, and its ferocity is largely due to firearms."

Jenks in his book was silent on the use of the shield to trip an opponent.

On the use of rocks as impromptu weapon, Pigafetta also noted this in the Battle of Mactan:

"On that account, he [Magellan] ordered us to retire slowly, but the men took to flight, except six or eight of us who remained with the captain. The natives shot only at our legs, for the latter were bare; and so many were the spears and stones that they hurled at us, that we could offer no resistance."

Which made me think just now that perhaps I can start selling "ethnic Philippine battle rocks" in the Swap Forum?! ;) :D

Now on how to establish provenance ... [think, think] ;) :D :p

[migueldiaz]

2. Looks like a Panabas from Mindanao, but actually from northeastern luzon [Cordillera area].
Hello Nonoy,

When I visited the museum of the Phil. national hero, Padre Burgos, in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, they also have on display several Cordillera weapons:

[1] a similarly shaped scythe, that also looks like the Moro panabas;

[2] a bolo called buneng, which is reminiscent of the Moro barong;

[3] the Balbelasan (Abra) battle axe; and

[4] a couple of spears and shields.

For info of our friends, Ilocos Sur is right beside Abra, and Abra is part of the Cordillera.

So from north to south of the Phils., the ethnic blades tend to be similar. Except for the Cordillera axe, that is, which really seems to be a class of its own.

Great thread Gentlemen !
Surely destined for the Classics .
Press on ! :cool:
Do we get a discount coupon in the Swap Forum if we make it? ;)

Thanks for the comment, Rick! :)

[Nonoy Tan]

Tracing the origins of these weapons is something that will definitely require a lot of research. The Kaling axe, like the "Kalinga Shield" both appear to be “unique.” Yes, you have an important point that may provide with with a good lead. We may have to trace the origins of both simultaneously.

Being able to discover the possibility of an Ibanag origin is exciting. It is known historically that while the western coast of Luzon (i.e. Ilocos provinces) was a thriving place for international trade, so did the eastern Luzon coast (Cagayan, etc. where the Ibanags are found). Unfortunately, the western coast has been empahized more in popular books, and not too many know about the eastern provinces. There are lots of archaeological evidences from Eastern Luzon what we may have to check, as they are often overlooked. We may be able to get some information from the University of the Philippines archaeological society.

I think that we also need collaborative evidence in the form of documentation, on the Ibanag's use of the crescent-shaped axe. I think that the the University of Santo Tomas in Manila is the best place to get it, as it holds the biggest and oldest collection of Spanish records made in the Philippines. If we want a short-cut, we can try to contact Fr. Pedro V. Salgado (a Domican priest) in the Philippines. He has gone through those documents that relate to the Ibanags and the eastern luzon provinces. Indispensable too, I think, would be a check on "The Philippine Islands" by Blair and Robertson, containing translated Spanish documents. It is rather voluminous (55 volumes) but one of the best there is.

We may have to also look into the original text of the region's oral history and songs. We will probably need to gather whatever has been written on this, including vocabulary. The Summer Institute of Linguistics (with an office in Manila) may be a good source of information.

If we are able to develop an effective methodology of research, I suspect that the same process can also help us trace the origins of other Philippine weapons.

Lots of work ahead. Shall we commence? :-)

Nonoy

[Nonoy Tan]

Vandoo,

I find your observations to be very important.

I suspect that there may have been a proliferation of certain myths regarding the use of the Kalinga shield and the significance of its form. It is possible that some of these may have come from accounts of soldiers or government officials during the American colonial rule - who probably have never even personally seen the natives use the shield in such close combat at described. Sometimes, I doubt the source of their information. I could be wrong though.

[migueldiaz]

... Indispensable too, I think, would be a check on "The Philippine Islands" by Blair and Robertson, containing translated Spanish documents. It is rather voluminous (55 volumes) but one of the best there is.

We may have to also look into the original text of the region's oral history and songs. We will probably need to gather whatever has been written on this, including vocabulary. The Summer Institute of Linguistics (with an office in Manila) may be a good source of information.

If we are able to develop an effective methodology of research, I suspect that the same process can also help us trace the origins of other Philippine weapons.

Lots of work ahead. Shall we commence? :-)
Nonoy,

The journey appears long so I think we have to begin as soon as possible :)

Like you said, let's develop first the research framework, and with the 'road map' in hand we should have less hits-and-misses.

Thanks by the way for mentioning the leads. On Blair and Robertson's 55-volume work, I ordered The Philippines CD (http://samizdat.stores.yahoo.net/philippine.html) which has that among many other titles. Of course the beauty of having those works in digital form is that the we can easily search for keywords.

On the compilation of Phil. myths, epics, legends, fables, etc., the University of the Philippines Press has just published a multi-volume series on that. I saw a set in one bookstore here in Manila. I think I should already get those as it may be the last set.

What would be our next step you think? Can you do the first-pass research methodology draft, and then from there we toss it back and forth until we come up with the final draft?

In parallel, I'll keep on compiling materials for our future reference.

Exciting times indeed :)

PS - And yes, the 'bonus' is that the framework if we are successful can also be applied in tracing the roots of Visayan sandatas, Moro weapons, etc.

[migueldiaz]

I suspect that there may have been a proliferation of certain myths regarding the use of the Kalinga shield and the significance of its form. It is possible that some of these may have come from accounts of soldiers or government officials during the American colonial rule - who probably have never even personally seen the natives use the shield in such close combat at described. Sometimes, I doubt the source of their information. I could be wrong though.
Nonoy,

Indeed we should approach things critically (in the positive sense of the word).

Fortunately some things can easily be established empirically (i.e., by experience or by observation).

For instance on the alleged three-finger grip on the shield's handle, one can simply try it out himself. And we can examine old photos -- in the attached 1930 pic for instance, we can clearly see the Bontok warrior's thumb and pinky resting outside the handle.

On certain beliefs like the use of the shield for tripping the feet and pinning the head, that can be more tricky to confirm. The possibilities are, in increasing degrees:

[1] it is not true at all;

[2] it was designed for such, but fell into disuse, and that's why some of the Cordillera shields didn't have those prongs anymore;

[3] it's a tribal thing -- some groups use it for tripping-and-pinning, while others don't; and

[4] the trip-and-pin use is prevalent.

Hey, I love finding out what really is going on :)

[migueldiaz]

More head axe pics, from Ramon Zaragoza's Tribal Splendor (1995):

[VANDOO]

IN THE PICTURES SHOWING THE HEAD AX BEING CARRIED THRUST THRU A CORD AROUND THE WAIST . I NOTE THAT SOME HAVE THE HEAD FACEING IN A DOWNWARD DIRECTION (ITS BELOW THE WAIST BAND) IN OTHERS THE HEAD IS ABOVE THE WAIST BAND. THIS WOULD BE OK WHEN AT LEASURE BUT WOULD NOT WORK WELL IF ONE WAS RUNNING OR JUMPING AROUND. IT COULD EITHER FALL OUT OR INJURE YOU WITH ITS EDGE OR SPIKE.
THE MIDDLE PICTURE IN THE LAST SERIES PROBABLY SHOWS ACCURATELY HOW ONE WOULD CARRY SPEAR, SHIELD AND AX WHEN TRAVELING FAST OR PREPARING FOR ACTION. IN LUZON PERHAPS IF THE AX WAS A PRIMARY WEAPON THE AX AND SHIELD WOULD BE IN THE SAME HAND INITIALLY AND WHEN THE SPEAR WAS THROWN OR STUCK IN A FOE THE AX COULD BE CHANGED OVER TO THE FREE HAND FOR THE FINAL STRIKES.

THERE ARE A FEW POSTS ON THESE AX'S IN THE OLD FORUM ARCHIVES SEARCH FOR PHILIPPINE AXES POSTED BY VANDOO 12/22/2003 THERE IS SOME INFO AND SOME PICTURES ARE STILL THERE ALSO.
HERE IS A PICTURE OF ONE OF MY AXS FROM THAT POST. IT WAS IDENTIFIED FOR ME AS AN AX USED BY THE YAPAYAO PEOPLE OF APAYAO AND PARTS OF LLOCOS NORTE, TWO PROVENCES IN NORTH LUZON. IT IS REFERRED TO THERE AS AN "ALIWA" AND WAS SAID IN THIS CASE TO BE A BINAROY TYPE.

[migueldiaz]

... THERE ARE A FEW POSTS ON THESE AX'S IN THE OLD FORUM ARCHIVES SEARCH FOR PHILIPPINE AXES POSTED BY VANDOO 12/22/2003 THERE IS SOME INFO AND SOME PICTURES ARE STILL THERE ALSO.
Hello Vandoo,

I looked for that thread. But I got 'lost' and ended up browsing this thread instead: Favorite Blade/Weapon (http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001909.html) ... in which I liked what Lew said: "the best sword is AK-47 closely followed by Heckler& Koch MP-5. Yeah I like to see you carve a Thanksgiving turkey with one of those! (smile)".

Maybe it's time to do another poll? ;)

Eventually I found the thread on the axes: Philippine Axes (http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001915.html).

Thanks!

[Nonoy Tan]

Agreed. I sent you an email.

Nonoy

[Tim Simmons]

What book do all these great pictures and info come from? I need a copy.

[Nonoy Tan]

Hi Vandoo,

Nice Binaroy. It is indeed from the Isneg of Apayao (Northern Luzon).

I think however that there is more research needed to confirm the "Aliwa".

Nonoy

[migueldiaz]

What book do all these great pictures and info come from? I need a copy.
Hi Tim,

The book is Tribal Splendor (1995), by Ramon Zaragoza. Unfortunately, they only published 300 copies.

I got my copy just the other day, after discovering that a Manila "thrift shop" was selling one at eBay-Philippines.

Earlier, I tried searching the book in Usedbooksearch.com (http://www.usedbooksearch.co.uk/), but it was negative.

[migueldiaz]

Some more early-1900s observations on the Cordillera battle axe --

From The Head Hunters of Northern Luzon (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/12970/12970-h/12970-h.htm), by Lt. Col.
Cornélis De Witt Willcox (USMA):

"[In Bontok] Of weapons there was almost none visible, no shields or spears, but here and there a head-ax.

"[In between Bontok and Kalinga] ... were met by Mr. Hale, the Governor, with two warriors, tall and slender, broad of chest and thin of flank, with red and yellow gee-strings, tufts of brilliant feathers in their hair, and highly polished head-axes on their hips.

"[In Kalinga] ... we saw a man coming towards us accompanied by thirty or forty boys not more than ten or eleven years of age, all gee-stringed, and eight of them carrying head-axes on their hips.

[Nonoy, please take note. It really looks like there is a children's version of the head axe? Quite interesting.]

"[Still in Kalinga] But the finest thing of all was the head-ax, a beautiful and cruel-looking weapon, the head having on one side an edge curving back toward the shaft, and on the other a point. To keep the weapon from slipping out of the hand, a stud is left in the hard wood shaft, about two-thirds of the way from the head, the shaft itself being protected by a steel sheathing half way down; the remainder being ornamented with decorative brass plates and strips, and the end shod in a ferrule of silver. The top of the ax is not straight, but curved, both edge and point taking, as it were, their origin in this curve; the edge is formed by a double chamfer, the ax-blade being of uniform thickness. All together, this weapon is perhaps more original and characteristic than any other native to the Philippine Archipelago."

I think Col. Willcox's last sentence in the previous paragraph is pregnant with meaning.

Hopefully, we can later on definitively establish that the Cordillera axe is indeed the truly original ethnic Filipino weapon-and-tool.

[migueldiaz]

Here's some more early-1900s impressions on the Cordillera battle axe. This time we go back to Albert Jenks' The Bontoc Igorot (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/3308/3308-h/3308-h.htm) --

The mystery of the bad haircut finally explained ;)

"The hair of the head is black, straight, coarse, and relatively abundant ... [t]he front is 'banged' low and square across the forehead, cut with the battle-ax ..."

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff129/chaplain_oz/igorot_haircut.jpg

Can be used to groom facial hair, too:

"The scanty growth of hair on the face of the Bontoc man is pulled out. A small pebble and the thumb nail or the blade of the battle-ax and the bulb of the thumb are frequently used as forceps ..."

The men used the battle axe in the kitchen as well:

"Its [the chicken's] legs were severed from the body with the battle-ax and put in the pot. From its front it was then cut through its ribs with one gash."

The axe is considered as one of the man's treasured possessions:

"With the men are buried, besides the things interred with the married men, the basket-work hat, the basket-work sleeping hat, the spear, the battle-ax, and the earrings if any are possessed."

The axe is even used for branding:

"These eastern horses are not used by the Igorot except for food, and no property right is recognized in them, though the Igorot brands them with a battle-ax brand."

Here's one unexpected and amusing use!:

"The foreskin is cut lengthwise on the upper side for half an inch. Either a sharp, blade-like piece of bamboo is inserted in the foreskin which is cut from the inside, or the back point of a battle-ax is stuck firmly in the earth, and the foreskin is cut by being drawn over the sharp point of the blade."

Even on crime and punishment it figures:

"There is an egg test said to be the surest one of all. A battle-ax blade is held at an angle of about 60 degrees, and an egg is placed at the top in a position to slide down. Just before the egg is freed from the hand the question is asked 'Is Liod (the name of the man under trial) guilty?' If the egg slides down the blade to the bottom the man named is innocent but if it sticks on the ax he is guilty."

A battle axe is sometimes a common property:

"Through inheritance two or more people become joint owners of single carabao, and of small herds which they prefer to own in common, pending such an increase that the herd may be divided equally without slaughtering an animal. Until recent years two, three, and even four or five men jointly owned one battle-ax."

Finally, a brief historical sketch:

"The feeling of friendship between the Igorot and insurrectos [Filipino nationalists] was so strong that when the insurrectos asked the Igorot to go to Manila to fight the new enemy (the Americans), 400 warriors, armed only with spear, battle-ax, and shield, went a three weeks’ journey to get American heads. At Caloocan, just outside Manila, they met the American Army early in February, 1899. They threw their spears, the Americans fired their guns—“which must be brothers to the thunder,” the Igorot said—and they let fall their remaining weapons, and, panic stricken, started home. All but thirteen arrived in safety. They are not ashamed of their defeat and retreat; they made a mistake when they went to fight the Americans, and they were quick to see it. They are largely blessed with the saving sense of humor, and some of the warriors who were at Caloocan [now northern Metro Manila] have been known to say that they never stopped running [i.e., 300 km or 200 miles] until they arrived home."

So, it looks like the axe aside from being a weapon is the ethnic upland Filipinos' Swiss knife as well.

[Nonoy Tan]

Indeed, the weapons had their smaller-sized counterparts for young boys - axes, bolos, shields, bows and arrows, etc. Sometimes, "female" (for use by women only) counterparts are also available. Isneg women had the female version of the axe.

Nonoy

[Jim McDougall]

I just wanted to note here, along with Rick's earlier comment, this thread is absolutely fantastic! From the initiation of the thread, focused on a single weapon, the 'kalinga' axe of the Philippines, and throughout are posts developing the history and use of the tool/weapons, beautifully illustrated, cited references and outstanding discussion and observations.

This is 'textbook' perfect gentlemen!!! Exactly the way we should study these weapons. Until I saw this thread, I really knew nothing of these axes, though I'd seen examples thumbing through Stone. After reading through this thread,I feel like I have experienced a true course on them as a subject, and now have a good understanding of them. Also, this thread will stand as a most current resource for others who might be researching these now or in the future.
Well done gentlemen!!!! and thank you!!! :)

All the best,
Jim

[migueldiaz]

More, from The Bontoc Igorot (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/3308/3308-h/3308-h.htm) --

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff129/chaplain_oz/battle_ax_bontoc_balbelasan.jpg

On the Bontoc battle-axe [left side in pic]:

"Baliwang [Cordillera] has four smithies ... Baliwang alone makes the genuine Bontoc battle-ax. It is a strong, serviceable blade of good temper, and is hafted to a short, strong, straight wooden handle which is strengthened by a ferrule of iron or braided bejuco. The ax has a slender point opposed to the bit or cutting edge of the blade ... The bit of the ax is at a small angle with the front and back edges of the blade, and is nearly a straight line. The axes are kept keen and sharp by whetstones collected and preserved solely for the purpose. Besao, near Sagada, quarries and barters a good grade of whetstone."


On the sleek Balbelasan battle-axe [right side in pic]:

"A slender, long-handled battle-ax now and then comes into the area in trade from the north. Balbelasan, of old Abra Province, but now in the northern part of extended Bontoc Province, is one of the pueblos which produce this beautiful ax. The blade is longer and very much slimmer than the Bontoc blade, but its marked distinguishing feature is the shape of the cutting edge. The blade is ground on two straight lines joined together by a short curved line, giving the edge the striking form of the beak of a rapacious bird. The slender, graceful handle, always fitted with a long iron ferrule, has a process on the under side near the middle. The handle is also usually fitted with a decorated metal ferrule at the tip and frequently is decorated for its full length with bands of brass or tin, or with sheets of either metal artistically incised.

"The Balbelasan ax is not used by the pueblos making it, or at least by many of them, but finds its field of usefulness east and northeast of Bontoc pueblo as far as the foothills of the mountains west of the Rio Grande de Cagayan. I was told by the Kalinga of this latter region that the people in the mountain close to the Cagayan in the vicinity of Cabagan Nuevo, Isabela Province, also use this ax."

On the variations in the use and non-use of the battle axe:

"In the southern and western part of the Bontoc area the battle-ax shares place with the bolo, the sole hand weapon of the Igorot of adjoining Lepanto, Benguet, and Nueva Vizcaya Provinces.

"The bolo within the Bontoc area comes from Sapao and from the Ilokano people of the west coast. The southern pueblo in the Bontoc area, Ambawan, uses the bolo of Sapao to the entire exclusion of the battle-ax. Tulubin, the next pueblo to Ambawan, and only an hour from it, uses almost solely the Baliwang battle-ax. Such pueblos as Titipan and Antedao, about three hours west of Bontoc, use both the ax and bolo, while the pueblos further west, as Agawa, Sagada, Balili, Alap, etc., use the bolo exclusively—frequently an Ilokano weapon."

On the Sapao bolo and the Moro barong:

"The Sapao bolo is, in appearance, superior to that of Ilokano manufacture. It is a broad blade swelling markedly toward the center, and is somewhat similar in shape to the barong of the Sulu Moro of the Sulu Archipelago. This weapon finds its chief field of use in the Quiangan and Banawi areas."

One of the pics below shows a Sapao smithy.

Note also in the pics below that it was the same "Malay forge" [also called the double-bellows forge, a 2,000-year old design?] that was used throughout the Philippines, whether it was in the highlands of the Cordillera in northern Luzon, or down south in the Moro areas of Mindanao.

Finally, the color pic below is from the Ayala Museum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayala_Museum) dioramas. It depicts what a foundry in ancient Phils. must have looked like, i.e., about 1,500 to 2,000 years ago.

[Tim Simmons]

More of the same, nice weapons here. Does anybody have one like in the large picture.

[Nonoy Tan]

Here it is, Tim, including a "Kalaw" headdress and axe from the Ilongots.
Sorry for the bad pics.

Nonoy

[Nonoy Tan]

Here is an old shield graphically illustrating the deadly "Kalinga" axe, as carved on its surface.

[Tim Simmons]

Thanks for that Nonoy. It is very interesting. From your picture the blade appears crudely made which is a surprise. That does not mean in real space it is not well made. It could be heavy, with good balanced and well shaped. I was just expecting something very exciting judging from the most attractive scabbard. It is more than likely that there is considerable varriation to the quality of shaping to these blades. I have these two pieces the pictures are poor and the flash wipes away any subtlety.

[Nonoy Tan]

Hi Tim

Yes, the Ilongot blades come in different forms and quality. There are those that are of such fineness especially those intended for use in ceremonies and "public display."

The axe I posted along with the Ilongot headdress, although originating (geographically) from Ilongot territory is actually a hybird in my opinion. The S-curved blade indicates an Isneg influence, while the brass plate at the bottom of the handle (not seen in the photo) clearly shows Ilongot work.

Your axe, in my opinion in Bontok. Nice ferrule.

The Ifugaw Hinalung appears in the photo to be a large one. Such size of Hinalung were made for chopping wood (as well as a defense weapon).

[Nonoy Tan]

Tim,

Here is an example of a more finely-made Ilongot blade.
Also, a Hinalung intended as weapon (over-all length is 22 cm. only).

Going back to the axe...

This one comes from the Ifugao. I was told by informants from the area that this axe was intended for use in working wood/chopping trees (not primarily as a weapon). As weapon, the "bolo" type was used by the Ifugao (e.g. Pinahig, Hinalung, Hangap, Yuquyug). So far, I have not encountered any reliable document which tells of the Ifugao using the axe as a traditional weapon.

[Tim Simmons]

Fascinating. Nice scabbard, the handle on that knife has the influence of many Philippine knives we see on this forum. The blade looks a little similar to a talibon.
I cannot help myself seeing a relation to the indigenous knives of Taiwan, is this rather fanciful?
Here are some day light pictures of the Hinalung, as you can see it is a big heavy knife. A chopper just as much as a knife. It is one of my most treasured artifacts. I like the almost futuristic clean geometry to the blade, made with absolute confidence. I am not surprised they are used to chop wood, human bodies would offer very little resistance. The other picture is a taiwan knife.

[Nonoy Tan]

Tinguian (Northern Luzon) folklore (oral tradition) describes the headaxe and its uses in many ways. It also mentions several times the headaxe being used magically by a character in the stories to cross bodies of water or the sea.

This leads me to conjecture that the crescent-shaped blade may have been inspired by the shape of a boat :confused:

More conjectures .... The shape may have originated from the coastal lowlands (not the mountains of the Cordillera where there is no sea) of Luzon, and where blacksmithing technology (using the Malay forge) may have entered the island.

Nonoy

[migueldiaz]

... Being able to discover the possibility of an Ibanag origin is exciting. It is known historically that while the western coast of Luzon (i.e. Ilocos provinces) was a thriving place for international trade, so did the eastern Luzon coast (Cagayan, etc. where the Ibanags are found). Unfortunately, the western coast has been empahized more in popular books, and not too many know about the eastern provinces. There are lots of archaeological evidences from Eastern Luzon what we may have to check, as they are often overlooked ...
Nonoy,

Here's another bit of info that may support the possibility of the Cordillera [highlands] axe originating from the Cagayan-Isabela [lowlands] area, as you intimated.

For info of everyone, both Cagayan and Isabela provinces are adjacent to and east of the Cordilleras.

In Samuel K. Tan's A History of the Philippines (1987), Tan outlined the patterns of leadership per ethnic group:

"The Ivatan of the Batanes islands developed a system in which two leaders shared authority ... The Ilocano observed a power arrangement in which the babacnang or amaen ti ili exercised dominant influence and power. The Igorot setup consisted of the Apo who performed roles with authority ... The Ilongot, a neighbor of the Igorot, had a sort of 'familial government' ... Somewhat different was the Zambal political arrangement which simply gave the best and recognized fighting man the honor of being the leader. The Gaddang [i.e., one of the Cagayan natives] of Northern Luzon developed a setup in which the best headhunter, called the mingal, exercised dominant authority ...."

Again the proposed proof is indirect, given the scanty info we have. But the logic goes like this -- if headhunting was most celebrated in Cagayan, then perhaps the skills and weapons needed in headhunting were also most developed in Cagayan; therefore, the headhunter's axe's original design may have come from Cagayan, and from there the axe's design just evolved as the axe was adopted by the neighboring provinces.

Of course it does not necessarily follow that the headhunting weapon of choice for the Gaddangs was the axe. It could have been a bolo.

But on the other hand, it could have been an axe, too.

Just thinking out loud ... :)

[dennee]

For what it's worth, here are a couple of prints removed from an early twentieth-century photo album of the Philippines.

[migueldiaz]

... Finally, a brief historical sketch:

"The feeling of friendship between the Igorot and insurrectos [Filipino nationalists] was so strong that when the insurrectos asked the Igorot to go to Manila to fight the new enemy (the Americans), 400 warriors, armed only with spear, battle-ax, and shield, went a three weeks’ journey to get American heads. At Caloocan, just outside Manila, they met the American Army early in February, 1899. They threw their spears, the Americans fired their guns—“which must be brothers to the thunder,” the Igorot said—and they let fall their remaining weapons, and, panic stricken, started home. All but thirteen arrived in safety. They are not ashamed of their defeat and retreat; they made a mistake when they went to fight the Americans, and they were quick to see it. They are largely blessed with the saving sense of humor, and some of the warriors who were at Caloocan [now northern Metro Manila] have been known to say that they never stopped running [i.e., 300 km or 200 miles] until they arrived home."
Am happy to find out that somebody (GW Peters, in 1899) immortalized the fate of those Igorot warriors.

The painting below is entitled "With the Insurgents in the Philippines - A company of Igorrote spearmen drilling in Caloocan, 1899". Saw it in the book, The Philippines in the 19th Century by Rudolf Lietz.

Note the head-axes being held on the hand holding also the shields. And the Igorot leader in front is depicted as bearing an Ilocano Katipunan dagger (the Ilocos provinces are right beside the Cordillera, hence this is very plausible).

[Tim Simmons]

Great stuff.

[migueldiaz]

... I also heard that the other (grisly) use of the spike is to pick up the fallen opponent's severed head.
I heard about this, via hearsay (i.e., the info did not come from any book or study).

Browsing the book Filipinas 1874 by Jose Honorato Lozano, however, I stumbled upon the image below of the Mayoyao Igorot.

The translation of the Spaniard's description of said Igorot tribe is:

"There is one ferocious tribe among the Igorots; these are the Mayoyaos depicted in the plate. They inhabit the mountains near Nueva Vizcaya [a province adjacent to the Cordillera]. Even if pursued, it is often impossible to control them."

This lends credence thus to the report that the spike is indeed used to pick up (and even carry) the severed head. Am sure the triumphant warrior would like to prominently display such head atop the axe's spike, upon his return to his home village.

However, the more known way of bringing back the head-trophy is via the so-called "head basket". Given that the trip back home can be a day's hike or more, great care has to be taken in ensuring the head will not get spoiled! ;)

PS - In the image, note though that the position of the handle vis-a-vis the axe head is at the center, instead of on the forward edge. Apparently that's due to an inaccurate recollection of the 19th century Spaniard who wrote the story.

[VANDOO]

HERE IS AN INTERESTING DANCE AX FROM CAMEROON AFRICA. IT IS SAID TO BE USED BY THE BANA,KAPSIKI, FALI AND KIRDI TRIBES FOR DANCES AND CEREMONY. THIS EXAMPLE IS 15 X 7.5 IN. AND HAS AN ALUMINUM BLADE. HOW FAR BACK THIS FORM OF AX GOES. :shrug:
SO DID THE FORM DEVELOP IN AFRICA OR IN THE PHILIPPINES AND DID IT DEVELOP FROM A TOOL, A CEREMONIAL OBJECT OR WAS IT ORIGINALLY A WEAPON, THE JURY IS STILL OUT. :D

[migueldiaz]

HERE IS AN INTERESTING DANCE AX FROM CAMEROON AFRICA. IT IS SAID TO BE USED BY THE BANA,KAPSIKI, FALI AND KIRDI TRIBES FOR DANCES AND CEREMONY. THIS EXAMPLE IS 15 X 7.5 IN. AND HAS AN ALUMINUM BLADE. HOW FAR BACK THIS FORM OF AX GOES. :shrug:
SO DID THE FORM DEVELOP IN AFRICA OR IN THE PHILIPPINES AND DID IT DEVELOP FROM A TOOL, A CEREMONIAL OBJECT OR WAS IT ORIGINALLY A WEAPON, THE JURY IS STILL OUT. :D
Thanks Vandoo for sharing the pics of a similar form factor, to borrow a term from the computer industry.

All I can say is that this raises more questions, which is good because we may be able to finally as a result, stumble upon the "true value" :)

[Nonoy Tan]

I suspect that the use of the term "Kalinga" (for the Kalinga axe) started no earlier than the mid 19th century (likely during the American occupation 1898 to early 1900s). During this period, the area of Northern Luzon which now includes the province of Cagayan (home of the Ibanag) was erroneously believed to be home of the Kalinga peoples. This error, I believe may have been due to the fact that knowledge of the indigenous peoples living there was scant, and "Kalinga" was used as a general word to refer to those peoples living in that area. Later, after extensive study, we now know that the area mentioned are home to many other peoples.

The mention of the term "Buneng" (refering to the axe) by the Ibanag in the 17th century is interesting. I believe that "Buneng" comes from the word "Buneg" - meaning river. Ibanag (or i-buneg) means something or someone/people from the river. The Ibanag people occupy the northern Luzon areas close to the large Cagayan river.

It is through these large waterways that goods acquired through trade from traders (e.g. China, Japan, Borneo, etc), goods such as iron, were bought, transported and sold by the coastal (sea) inhabintants to other coastal (riverine) peoples, and thereafter to peoples living inland or the mountains. Such was the trading network. The riverine coasts were magnets for early Filipinos to reside due to this trade. It was also logical to have blacksmiths in these coastal (sea and riverine) villages work iron to produce weapons for sale.

Thus, it seems probable that the "Buneng" Axe was so called because they were made those villages, i.e. villages along the "Buneg", e.g. Cagayan river or its secondary waterways.

My 2 cents

[Nonoy Tan]

The painting by Jose Honorato Lozano shows a male Ifugao/Ifugaw. Not only is he holding an axe, but also bow and arrow. It is known that the Ifugao have long time ago disregarded the use of the bow and arrow, and so I am wondering why such weapon appears in a 19th century painting.

There are historical accounts describing the headaxe being used to pick a severed head. I doubt however if Lozano has ever actually seen it happen. I suspect that his painting was based on stories he has heard or read.

Indeed, more questions than answers...

[migueldiaz]

I suspect that his painting was based on stories he has heard or read.
Yes, looks like it.

Like what's that two-pronged spear the Igorot is holding? And then the axe is shown with a loop for its hilt and it has hair or fibers in it.

On the other hand, the painter got right the distinctive haircut with bangs in front, and then long hair at the back plus that small bowl-like weaving that is used as sort of a headdress.

On head-axes in general, below are more pics gathered from various coffee table books.

[migueldiaz]

Some more pics, taken from another forum: Filipinas Collection Thread 3 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=425115&page=5).

Thread by the way has lots of old Philippine pics definitely worth checking out.

[VANDOO]

I REALLY ENJOY PICTURES LIKE THE LAST ONE IN THIS SERIES, I HAVE SEEN ONE SIMULAR FEATURING NAGA WEAPONS AND ITEMS.
THE SECOND DRAWING SHOWS 2 FELLOWS WITH WHAT LOOKS LIKE A TOOL USED TO HOLLOW OUT THINGS. IT COULD BE USED TO BREAK THRU THE PARTICIONS IN BAMBOO TO FORM CONTAINERS OR WATER PIPES. SOMETHING SIMULAR IS USED TO HOLLOW OUT BLOWGUNS. THE WORKERS STAND UP ON A PLATFORM AND PLACE THE MATERIAL TO BE HOLLOWED OUT BELOW IT AND HOLLOW IT OUT FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM WHICH RESTS ON THE GROUND. SOME OF THE TOOLS ARE HEATED AND BURN THE WOOD AND THEN THE ASH IS REMOVED OTHERS WORK MORE LIKE A CHISEL OR GOUGE TO REMOVE THE WOOD. THIS EXAMPLE LOOKS LIKE THE LATTER TYPE AND AS BAMBOO IS SHOWN IN THE DRAWING IT IS LIKELY A TOOL FOR WORKING IT.

YOU MUST HAVE SOME VERY INTERESTING BOOKS AVAILABLE :cool:

[migueldiaz]

YOU MUST HAVE SOME VERY INTERESTING BOOKS AVAILABLE :cool:
Some of the pics I post (like the most recent ones above) are found merely by rummaging through the Web :)

[migueldiaz]

Would just like to share more very old pics, from Ramon Zaragoza's Tribal Splendor. Here's a set on headhunting-related scenes:

[migueldiaz]

Success ...

[migueldiaz]

Funeral activities re headhunting:

[migueldiaz]

The "usually mile long" parade of Igorot warriors must had been a sight to behold as they snake through the rice terraces ...

[migueldiaz]

Pics showing the "context" within which headhunting took place:

[migueldiaz]

Finally, some Tingguian activities pics (and here's a recent news article (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20081224-179683/Devt-comes-to-Tingguian-land) on the current status of the Tingguians).

[Tim Simmons]

I move away from weapons but would just like to say that these pictures and others, show these people had/have a fasinating and beautiful sculptural sence in building and landscaping with natural stone forms.

[migueldiaz]

I move away from weapons but would just like to say that these pictures and others, show these people had/have a fasinating and beautiful sculptural sence in building and landscaping with natural stone forms.
Yes, those 2,000-year old Igorot rice terraces are a sight to behold (it's been declared a Unesco World Heritage site by they way).

I've been to Bali, Indonesia once and they too have hillside rice terraces in there. But the scale is much smaller compared to the ones made by the Igorots.

On the head axes, I've been fooling around with two recently acquired Kalinga head axes. After etching, one of them exhibited a hardened edge, along the chiseled cutting edge (see pics).

I understand though that there's a wide variation on how these axes are made. So, this hardened edge feature can be absent in other authentic samples.

[migueldiaz]

Radleigh's Head Axe... A good one? (http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=9638) revived my interest on the origin of the northern Luzon head-axe (http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7438).

From Fay-Cooper Cole's 1922 book on the Tinguians [aka Itnegs] (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/12849/12849-h/12849-h.htm#d0e7471), an upland tribe which shares the Cordillera mountain range with the Igorots:

While the axe is primarily a weapon, its use is by no means confined to warfare. It is used in house and fence building, in cutting up game and forest products, and in many other ways. Fig. 8 [below] shows three types of head-axes, the first two, the Tinguian-Kalinga axe; third, the Igorot; fourth, the Apayao. There is a noticeable difference between the slender blades of the first group and the short, thick blade of the Igorot, yet they are of the same general type. The Apayao weapon, on the other hand, presents a radical difference in form. Despite these variations, the axes of these three tribes present an interesting problem. So far as it known, these are the only tribes in the Philippines which make use of a head-axe, and it is believed that no similar weapon is found in the Malayan Islands. However, blades of striking resemblance do occur among the Naga of Assam [10]. It is possible that the weapons of these far separated regions may hark back to a common source, from which they received their instruction in iron working.

xxx

[10] Egerton, Handbook of Indian Arms (Wm. Allen and Co., London, 1880), p. 84; Shakespear, History of Upper Assam, Burma and Northeastern Frontier (MacMillan, London, 1914), p. 197, illustration.

Clearly, the book cited is an old one (1922). On the other hand, so far it still looks like that the northern Luzon head-axe is an original form, endemic strictly to northern Luzon ...

Unless evidence to the contrary is uncovered ...

[migueldiaz]

Reviewing this portion of Cole's 1922 book on the Tinguians (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/12849/12849-h/12849-h.htm#d0e7471):

So far as it known, these [Tinguians, Igorots, & Apayaos] are the only tribes in the Philippines which make use of a head-axe, and it is believed that no similar weapon is found in the Malayan Islands. However, blades of striking resemblance do occur among the Naga of Assam [10].

xxx

[10] Egerton, Handbook of Indian Arms (Wm. Allen and Co., London, 1880), p. 84; Shakespear, History of Upper Assam, Burma and Northeastern Frontier (MacMillan, London, 1914), p. 197, illustration.

I wanted to find out what a Naga-Assam [headhunter's] axe looks like. Photo 1 (http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/photos.php?id=1615) and photo 2 (http://www.oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=1130) below are both from Oriental Arms.

There appears to be some similarity all right, but not with the traditional crescent-shaped form of the northern Luzon head-axe.

As to the probable link between the two cultures, it appears to be there indeed. I found this pertinent excerpt, from a recent research work (http://www.ciil-ebooks.net/html/khezha/part1.htm):

Colonel L.W. Shakespear suggests that the Naga fancy for marine shells may point to a bygone home on the sea (History of Upper Assam, p.197). In any case, the Nagas have very strong cultural affinities with the natives of the Asiatic Islands, notably Borneo, and the Philippine Islands, and perhaps physical affinities with some of them (Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, vol. xliv, p.57)”.

What's the conclusion? Well so far, it still points to the theory that the northern Luzon head axe is a unique and endemic weapon-tool, with no other parallels ... at least so far :)

[Nonoy Tan]

I agree. The headaxe of Northern Luzon is an endemic development.

The tribes of Northeast India and Northern Luzon have remarkably similar ecologies and material culture. On the other hand, the social organizations are very different. Also, I also doubt that the headaxe of Northern Luzon and the axe of Northeastern India had come from a common origin, because there is yet no indicative proof. This is not to say, however that both cultures had not adapted certain cultural traits from a common influence or source (directly or indirectly). Talismanic symbol in blades of India is also found in some blades of Northern Luzon (Ilongot and Agta), and Southern Philippines (so called "moro" blades).

Meanwhile, here is a photo of a headaxe with a centipede design – in relation to the thread:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6818

[Nonoy Tan]

HERE IS A PICTURE OF ONE OF MY AXS FROM THAT POST. IT WAS IDENTIFIED FOR ME AS AN AX USED BY THE YAPAYAO PEOPLE OF APAYAO AND PARTS OF LLOCOS NORTE, TWO PROVENCES IN NORTH LUZON. IT IS REFERRED TO THERE AS AN "ALIWA" AND WAS SAID IN THIS CASE TO BE A BINAROY TYPE.

Based on the literature by Morice Vanoverbergh, i.e. "Dress and Adornment in the Mountain Province of Luzon, Philippine Islands"; "The Isneg Farmer"; and "Isneg-English Vocabulary"...

There appears to be no such "Binaroy" axe among the Isneg of Apayao. Instead, the closest type of axe which resembles that posted by VANDOO in this thread is the "Aliwa," specifically the "Badan" type.

The first time I encountered the word "Binaroy" was at the Macau Exhibit - and assumed it to be accurate. However, after going through the above cited literature, I am now in doubt. I wonder where the term "Binaroy" comes from :confused:

[Nonoy Tan]

The mention of the term "Buneng" (refering to the axe) by the Ibanag in the 17th century is interesting.

The reference to an axe was made by my favorite historian, William Henry Scott, in his book "Barangay: Sixteenth Century Philippine Culture and Society" (1994). In the section covering the Ibanag, Scott wrote (using the work of Fray Jose Bugarin as source):

“Maengel raiders sent out with the plumes of the dalaw bird on their heas and the hair of defeated foes on their spears, to which they added gold ornaments during victory dances around their trophies. An illustration in the Boxer Codex shows a Cagayan warrior … Their weapons were leaf-shaped daggers 20 to 30 centimeters long (inalag) spears (suppil if plain, saffuring if barbed), and one which in modern times would be called a head axe – bunang, “machete of the natives,” Father Bugarin said, “like a crescent moon with a long point.”

Dominican priest Jose Bugarin in the 17th century collected Cagayan Ibanag words which would later be published in an 1854 dictionary (in Spanish).

This is signficant because it provides a possibility that the so-called "Kalinga head-axe" had an Ibanag (not Kalinga or Igorot) origin.

I checked Bugarin's work (in the 1854 document) and discovered that there is no attribution of the Bunang to an axe. In fact, he was specifically refering to a "machete" with a blade that was half-moon shaped (not crescent moon shaped, as Scott had misinterpreted). Thus, the possibility that the head-axe was of Cagayan origin is unlikely, in my opinion.

From the time I posted this topic in October 2009, my research on the origin of the "Kalinga axe" has not ceased. I have since then obtained new and interesting information. I will share these when the research is completed.

[Navigator]

What are the chances that these two Kalinga head axes were made by the same guy?http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo350/littlewing77/IMG_5342-1.jpg http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo350/littlewing77/IMG_5338-1.jpg http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo350/littlewing77/IMG_5335-1.jpg

[Nonoy Tan]

There is that possibility... to what extent we may never know.

There are beautiful.

[Battara]

I believe these to be datu pieces, but their blade heads are on backwards and there are some replacement bands. Still great pieces.

[Nonoy Tan]

I believe these to be datu pieces, but their blade heads are on backwards and there are some replacement bands. Still great pieces.

Navigator, the observations by Battara are important to consider.

Battara, I am doubtful about the use of "datu" - Are there datus in the Northern Luzon Cordillera social and political structures?

[Battara]

Nonoy Tan, you bring up a good point. If I understand right, there are datus in those cultures. I will see if I re-find past research upon which I base this.

In addition I would add that these types are perhaps ceremonial, but I base that due to the nature and work of the materials covering the shafts.

[Navigator]

These are obviously fine head axes and must have cost quite a bit more when they were made than a simple utilitarian example.
So, a rich man may well have owned such a weapon.

These head axes were made by a specialist.

It would be an interesting project to determine exactly which village they were made in.
I think this may still be possible because the children of the artisan are probably still alive, as these pieces probably date from around 1920.

Perhaps someone on this forum already knows.

[Battara]

Nonoy Tan,

I looked over this thread again and realized I misunderstood your comment. I do know that there are chieftains among the Igorot tribes, but I think you were referring the word "datu" not the concept. As far as the word is concerned, I agree that it is not used among them - I just did not know what term to use at the time. The Kalinga term for chieftain (according to this article) is a pangat (www.cca.org.hk/resources/ctc/ctc02-02/ctc02-02h.htm).

[Nonoy Tan]

Battara, thank you for providing this information.

Indeed the social and political structures among the various Luzon Cordillera groups (and other Philippine ethnic peoples) also varied.

[VANDOO]

RECENTLY SAW THESE FOR SALE ON EBAY AUCTION NOW CLOSED. THEY WERE IDENTIFIED AS NEOLITHIC STONE ADZ/AX FROM PHILIPPINES POSSIBLY FROM THE ISLAND OF PALAWAN. ONE MEASURES 8.5IN LONG X 5INCH WIDE THE OTHER 9 IN. LONG X 5 INCH. PERHAPS THE MORE MODERN AX EVOLVED FROM SOMETHING LIKE THIS IF THESE ARE GENUINE ARTEFACTS. :shrug:

[Indianajones]

Hello Navigator, two quite quality Kalinga axes indeed! Those silver rings are not replacements as Battara mentioned b.t.w. I have seen/had other axes also with partly (original) silver rings which I could place in the region where the Kalingatribe meets their Tinguian neighbours. However I do think the axeblades are on backwards as mostly the handlespurs are on same side as the projecting blade, but I could always be proven wrong.

According the books there were two places where most iron blades were made; in Balbalassang (borderTinguian/Kalinga area) and a place around Bontoc (forgot the name now), but some other villages also had their own smithies. And those villages would be mostly all in the North Kalinga area and perhaps in the East region of the Kalingatribe, I reckon. I have visited a small ironsmith myself in Ableg (West of Tabuk).
Who made the handle and optional copperwork on it is the question. Perhaps another specialist as it looks like quite meticulous work and craftmanship.

Beautiful Kalinga axes as your would certainly be owned by experienced headhunters called 'Pangats' addorned with the chesttattoes who where greatly respected, however these where not necesseraly Chiefs. These axes are really arms of war and prestige (high costs!) and may be used once in a while in ceremonies. Hence also that wonderfull usage patine; shiny n brown.
The spur -by the way- was not only used for a good grip but was also the hook from which it hung tucked in the G-string hanging upside down when standing.

It would indeed be quite interesting to know where exactly your axes were made! I have also been studieing that for a while. There are many differences on the handles; the form of the spurs (projecting notch on handles), the copperwork, the geometric cutting in the copper, bladeshape, lenght of handle. I HAVE noticed that the spurs on the handles of Tinguian-area-examples are always quite triangular and 'sharp' of edges.

Thanks for sharing the (pics of) the Kalinga axes. I have included also a nice picture (slightly blurred) of two North Kalinga warriors with axes and a pic of the Kalinga section of my collection.

Best, Wouter

[VANDOO]

I RESURECT THIS THREAD TO ADD AN AX WITH DEFINITE PROVENANCE, STILL EVIDENT IN THE BLADE. IT WAS MADE OF A CONOCO GAS CAN ,USA, 1944

[Battara]

Interesting piece Barry. Never seen such from a gas can before. Looks Kalinga.

[Nonoy Tan]

It was four years ago when I started this thread. Since then more information has come to light and would like to share them here.

1. Historical records show that the usual name used for this weapon was "Aliwa."

2. These historical records, many of which are early dictionaries or compilation of words, were based on data gathered as early as ca. 1570-1699. There records show cognate words such as Aligua, Aliua, Alioa, Liga, Iwa, Iua, Ygua, Igua and Ligua.

3. The "Aliwa" and its cognates are found in Tagalog, Isneg, Apayao, Tinguian, Iloco, Zambal, Ibanag, Bontoc Igorot, Lepanto Igorot, Pampanga, Ifugao, and Kalinga. These linguistic groups are found in eastern, northern, and central Luzon.

4. “Aliwa” was not always an axe. In fact early accounts indicate that the Aliwa was a bolo, knife or dagger. It was only later that it became known as an axe. It was not until the around the late 18th century that the name “Aliwa” was applied to the axe. It is quite possible that the axe form of the “Aliwa” was not existent until this period mentioned for it was still in knife or bolo form.

The headhunter's axe as we know it, was a later development and not ancient. The tool used by headhunters was originally a bolo or knife-like. How the axe form came into being - historical records does not provide. However, the “Aliwa” (as a head-cutting tool) is limited to Luzon, despite the fact that headhunting was also prevalent in the Visayas and Mindanao. (The head-cutting tool used in the Visayas and Mindanao was not called “Aliwa” and was not an axe either – but that is a separate topic).

Incidentally, the beautiful "Kalinga/Tinguian axe" with long ferrule and handle could not have been used for lopping off heads. It is not strong enough in my view. When tested against pig neck, the wooden handle broke at the point closest to the metal ferrule. Unless, held by the metal ferrule (not by the wooden handle) it cannot possibly do heavy chopping work. This type of axe was likely an ornament or tool for ritual and cutting/slicing smaller objects.

[T. Koch]

Hi Nonoy Tan,

How cool to get your update here - It's funny but I have in the last couple of days been reading through this exact topic and am very excited to see you bring it up from the depts. :) This has probably turned into one of the greatest online resources for information on these Cordillera axes and you have been primus motor on a lot of the information. Thank you so much for all of that - I've really learned a lot!

Regarding your last post above, I would advise caution in making too much of a direct comparison between pigs and humans. It is true that we in some ways are very comparable, for instance with regards to organs and digestion, but in other ways we are - because of our different ways of life and body structures - not so comparable.

Regarding exactly the neck region, the pig has evolved to a life on all four legs as opposed to being upright like us. This means that the pig by comparison has developed a very strong neck region, evident by the very close situation of the also larger neck vertebrae, separated by slimmer vertebral discs, as well as in some cases fewer vertebrae. In addition comes that pigs - and other four legged animals - have developed much stronger ligaments along the back of the neck, evolved to keep the head straight and prevent it from simply slumping down between the forelegs of the animal. All these characters makes for a significantly stronger structure than that of the human neck, but it comes with other disadvantages: A pig is mostly restrained to moving it's head up and down and have very little movement from side to side. This is ok if you're a pig though, as it dosen't need to see much anyway (also has relatively poor vision), but has developed a strong sense of smell and hearing which it relies on for predator defense.

Us humans by contrast, being bi-pedal predators with forward oriented binocular eyes, have developed a very flexible neck allowing us a near 360 degree field of vision. This has however, come at a disadvantage, being that our necks, together with our knees, have turned into a major structural weakness. For the same reason a lot of classical execution methods, i.e. decapitation, hanging, garroting etc., are concerned with seperation or dislocation of the neck vertebrae - the neck is just an easy target.

Looking at the well-forged Cordillera axes, wouldn't the reinforced tip and in some cases hardened edge also hint at it being used for some kind of impact purpose? As has been pointed out, the edge probably wouldn't be useful for chopping would or clearing brush. A human neck on the other hand, I think it would tear right through. After all, in Africa they successfully do it with those flimsy Martindale Pangas, with a blade thickness of not much more than a few mm.

Regarding the reported handle break, couldn't it also be that, since most of these are antique, the handle integrity by now, is not what it was 80 years ago, or whenever the axe was made? :)


In all regard a super-interesting topic and I'm so happy to see it brought to life again!


All the best, - Thor

[Navigator]

Hello Navigator, two quite quality Kalinga axes indeed! Those silver rings are not replacements as Battara mentioned b.t.w. I have seen/had other axes also with partly (original) silver rings which I could place in the region where the Kalingatribe meets their Tinguian neighbours. However I do think the axeblades are on backwards as mostly the handlespurs are on same side as the projecting blade, but I could always be proven wrong.

According the books there were two places where most iron blades were made; in Balbalassang (borderTinguian/Kalinga area) and a place around Bontoc (forgot the name now), but some other villages also had their own smithies. And those villages would be mostly all in the North Kalinga area and perhaps in the East region of the Kalingatribe, I reckon. I have visited a small ironsmith myself in Ableg (West of Tabuk).
Who made the handle and optional copperwork on it is the question. Perhaps another specialist as it looks like quite meticulous work and craftmanship.

It would indeed be quite interesting to know where exactly your axes were made! I have also been studieing that for a while. There are many differences on the handles; the form of the spurs (projecting notch on handles), the copperwork, the geometric cutting in the copper, bladeshape, lenght of handle. I HAVE noticed that the spurs on the handles of Tinguian-area-examples are always quite triangular and 'sharp' of edges.

Thanks for sharing the (pics of) the Kalinga axes. I have included also a nice picture (slightly blurred) of two North Kalinga warriors with axes and a pic of the Kalinga section of my collection.

Best, Wouter

Thanks Indiana Jones, aka Wouter. You have brought forth dormant memories from the well-spring of my past. It's exciting to meet someone who has travelled in that region.
Having spent some time in Balbalasang, Kalinga, I am fairly certain that these head axes were not forged there. Btw, Balbalasang is one of the most beautiful places in the Cordillera region with a clean fast river, forests of pine and an elevation of about 5000 ft. From there it's only about a day's hike into Abra.
I also don't think that these were made by the the famous blacksmiths in Tulgueo or But But in the Southern Kalinga along the Chico river, as they are not known for their brass work or fine detailing.
It seems to me that the fine brass work may have been done in Eastern Kalinga where the Gaddang are located. It may well be that the heads were forged in one location and the brass done by other artisans, as you suggest.

In my three years of visiting among the Kalingas in the late 1970's, I only saw one of these fine head axes in person. I suspect that they were nearly all collected in the early twentieth century.

Speaking of collections, yours is magnificent! I count four head axes among the Gaddang jackets, G-strings, hunter's cloaks, tapis, beads, earrings, gong handles and those wonderful Kalinga shields! WOW!

I was in Baguio City about a month ago after an absence of nearly twenty years. What a sad disappointment it is. It nearly broke my heart.
I call it Quiapo on the Hill now. I'm attaching a photo of a housing development there.

Let's stay in touch.
Cheers!