Carlos:
Nice example of a well maintained kampilan. It is unusual to see them with so much hair left on the hilt. The hawk bells are indeed reminiscent of the T'boli decorations, and are not standard Moro fare. The T'boli have traded with Mindanao Muslims for many years, so it is not surprising that hawk bells could end up on a kampilan.
The strip of material has been described as a means of binding the sword to the wrist, as Spunjer has said, but I have never found a good reference for such a use. Similar attachments appear on a few kris.
Interesting kampilan.
Ian.
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