Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Ian
As an aside, I have a particular interest in Palawan, having spent several months there in the early 2000's working on the problem of mercury pollution around the old Palawan Quicksilver Mine, which included mercury in fish in nearby Honda Bay. The mine is a short distance north of Puerto Princesa. Unfortunately, I did not see many edged weapons in my time there, although I did visit the sea caves at the north of the island and got to enjoy some of the wonderful beaches for swimming. Tried to avoid the local fish (too much mercury!).
Results of that work were published with John Gray, a friend from the US Geological Survey, and several Filipino collaborators (Environmental Geology (2003) 43:298–307). A copy of the original paper can be found here.
Ian. |
You have my utmost respect and admiration, sir. I saw that you've written solid research on asthma- I was a status asthmatic during my elementary years; I overcame it through swimming.
Going back to the badung: ah yes, the ukkil. I'm attaching a couple of pics here for reference. The first pic, I got somewhere in this forum as well (sorry I forgot exactly where), it's the zoomed-in scabbard of a Tausug barung. The second pic is a badung from the Palaw'an tribe, while the third pic is the badung I featured earlier (the one whose hilt and scabbard most closely resembles a barung).
The Tausug barung's ukkil theme is made up of waves. Flowing, constant water that is symmetric. Symmetry is a primary feature of Sulu ukkil, and this is most clearly reflected in the scabbard pattern. There is also the presence of tiny triangles which form boundaries across the pattern- another important feature present in Sulu ukkil. Another notable feature is that the waves 'spill over' the boundaries, sometimes even penetrating through the usual scabbard boundaries.
The Palaw'an tribe badung's theme can be likened to the forest. There is an abundance of vines in the ukkils, with no symmetry. There is also an absence of triangles. The boundary of the ukkil 'traps' the vines; none of them spill over the clearly-delineated boundaries of the scabbard.
The Deuna badung, at first glance, seems similar to the Tausug barung, but it's really not. Upon closer inspection, it embraces the same theme as the tribal badung- lots of vines, clear boundary, no symmetry. Curiously, there are small triangles that form mini-boundaries across the pattern.
My Yakan contact said that she believes the Tausug pattern came about because the Tausug were seafaring warriors. Water, waves, ocean- these are very important themes for the Tausug. On the other hand, she believes that the badung is indicative of the life of those in Palawan- forest, mountain, trees- all of these point to an agricultural lifestyle, utility-based, for survival.
The smith who made my badung said that he believes Palawan-based blades have different ukkil because Palawan is one long island with different land features; it is not continuous and has much variety, hence the lack of symmetry.
Moving forward, in light of the Sabah badung-like blades you referenced to, I am proposing three hypotheses:
1. The Sabah leaf blade is the 'father' of both barungs and badungs. Badungs stayed closer to the father-blade, as Palawan life was more utility-based; the barung evolved due to its use as a combat weapon.
2. The barung is the father of both badungs and Sabah leaf blades. The barung evolved due for utility purposes as BangsaMoro refugees who fled from Sulu arrived at Palawan and Sabah in search for a more peaceful life.
3. They are independent blades. The common leaf-blade shape is only coincidental; the ukkil indicates that they were used commonly by BangsaMoro; the blade profiles indicate that the Palawan and Sabah badungs are for utility purposes, while the barung is an exclusive combat blade.
Once again, I would like the acknowledge the help of my esteemed friend who was an ex-forum member. Credits also to a gracious Yakan weaver (from whom I buy my BangsaMoro blades from).