IF THE PANABAS EVOLVED FROM A TOOL IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SOMETHING USED LIKE AN AXE TO CUT HARD WOOD , BAMBOO OR RATTAN AS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TOO LARGE AND HEAVY TO CUT LIKE A SICKLE.
AS TO ITS PRESENCE IN PICTURES OF HIGH RANKING DATU'S I SUSPECT THE DATU HAD ALL THE MEN PRESENT NECESSARY TO HOLD COURT AT ALL SUCH FUNCTIONS. WHEN A DATU HELD COURT IT WAS OFTEN TO DETERMINE GUILT OR INNOCENCE IN SOME SERIOUS MATTER SO EXECUTION WAS ALWAYS POSSIBLE, SO A EXECUTIONER WAS PROBABLY ALWAYS PRESENT. THERE WERE NO LEGNTHLY SERIES OF APPEALS AND A SENTENCE OF DEATH WAS OFTEN CARRIED OUT IMEDIATELY. THE PANABAS WOULD HAVE BEEN A SYMBOL OF ATHORITY AND A TOOL OF EXECUTION. MOSTLY CONJECTURE HERE BUT IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE A LIST OF THE PEOPLE AND THEIR FUNCTIONS IN A DATU'S COURT. I NOTICE A OBJECT TO THE RIGHT IN THE GROUP PICTURE THAT HAS A SMALL HANDLE AND IS CLOTH COVERED WHAT IS IT?
SOME VERY NICE PANABAS , I AM JEALOUS
