Thanks for the link Arjan!!!
I haven't read this book yet and wasn't aware that it was about East Sabah too.
On the use of Filipino weapons among Dusun in West Sabah both barong/pida and kris/sundang were common.
Another imported weapon was the pedang from Brunei. Everything described in detail in Evans' book.
On trade Sandakan was the major trade city in the old days and it also used to belong to the Sulu Sultanate. Actually along the East coast, as well as the North coast, there are still today close contact with Philippines. I visited Sipadan island the first time I was in Sabah and a year later there was a kidnapping of tourists at that island by the Abu Sayaf. I also remember seeing some Tausug when in Semporna.
On gayang I am aware that it's also sometimes found in the Philippines but it's described as a weapon originating from Borneo (can't remember the source at the moment for this, sorry).
Ben, that sounds like a great idea. Let's try to get together all three of us next time when I am in Holland.
Or maybe it's time for you two to visit me?
Michael
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