Just a thought...
The open scabbard and hollow hilt does not appear in most Northern Luzon peoples and along the entire path of the Austronesian migration. It only appears in the Ifugao and nearby areas (e.g. Kalanguya, I believe through Ifugao influence), but not Kalinga, Isneg, Tinguian, etc.
Can we without any doubt directly relate the similarity of the weapons (open scabbard, hollow hilt) between some groups of Northern Luzon (Philippines) and Formosa to the Austronesian migration? Or is it possible that the spread of such weapon types occured long after the Austronesian migration?
What is the earliest record on the existence of the open scabbard and hollow hilt in Formosa? It is mentioned in Formosa oral tradition before recorded history? Knowing this may provide a clue as to how old or ancient this weapon has been existence (or how recent it is)?
|