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Originally Posted by Interested Party
Are these related to what Van Zonneveld called "stick swords" from Flores?
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Hi IP:
I don't think there is a direct link or a particular association between the two. The
panabas as a weapon is thought to be derived from an agricultural tool known as a
tabas--the two coexist today. This more basic tool seems to be an item found in various parts of Asia, being basically a long curved axe for chopping. I have seen similar tools in northern India and mainland SE Asia (e.g., Thai
pra). It is possible that "stick swords" in the Malay world were derived from similar agricultural implements in their respective cultures. In Europe, long-bladed
glave are probably another example of an agricultural tool of this general type finding its way into armories.