Husking coconuts in Pagsanjan
 

A while back I came across this stereograph of Filipinos husking coconuts in the early 1900s. According to the information on the photographs, the pictures were taken near Pagsanhan (now Pagsanjan, but originally Pinagsangahan). The town was formerly the provincial capital of Laguna Province, located alongside Laguna de Bay, a large lake just outside Metro Manila. The province is famous for its copra production.

The bolos used by the workers look like standard Manila-area knives with a full length tang and short metal ferrule. The one blade that is visible appears to have a spear-shaped tip. The leather scabbards and belts also look like typical Tagalog manufacture.

We see quite a few of these bolos come up for sale, and it is interesting, I think, to get an idea of how they were used traditionally within the culture. Husking coconuts is hard, hot work in the tropical sun.

BTW, The Keystone View Company was in business from 1892 to 1963 and at one time was the world's largest producer of stereoviews.

Ian.
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It is a nice stereograph. I have this exact one myself.

Yes, very Tagalog.