I think I have a Gunong?

[David]

Just curious José. What makes this a kris for you instead of simply an over-sized gunong. I know people have different takes on this, but for me a kris needs to have an asymmetric base and a gangya (separate or not). This has neither. For me a wavy blade is just that without these other features.

[zachsau72]

That helps me so much, I was wondering if it could be a Kris/ Gunong hybrid. The age also makes sense, my grandparents lived in the Philipinnes in the late 60's to early 70's. Thank you all for your input and info. Does anyone have an idea how much it might be worth?

[kai]

I'm with David - regardless what this is referred to locally in modern times, this is not a Moro kris IMHO (for the reason's given). A huge, oversized Maranao gunong is obviously a sensible description.

Huge gunong seem to have been in vogue in Marawi since the 1970s or so. This must be one of the largest I've ever heard about though! Does anybody know wether these were really part of Maranao culture (as the large/huge gunong were post-WW2)? Or were they just curiosities/monstrosities akin to the over 1m long Moro kris or Keris Jawa/Madura?

Obviously, many of these large/huge gunong got also sold in Manila (and local) tourist shops.

Regards,
Kai

[laEspadaAncha]

I know the sharp undulations as seen on this particular example are generally indicative of a post-1950 attribution, but following Pershing's order outlawing the wearing of the kris (or swords in general?), didn't some gunongs morph and grow in size, and in some cases, were even made to bear an intentional resemblance to the kris?

[David]

Originally Posted by laEspadaAncha

I know the sharp undulations as seen on this particular example are generally indicative of a post-1950 attribution, but following Pershing's order outlawing the wearing of the kris (or swords in general?), didn't some gunongs morph and grow in size, and in some cases, were even made to bear an intentional resemblance to the kris?

Well, once a dagger grows big enough to be a sword, it IS a sword. I don't think simply calling a gunong that is this length just a dagger would carry much weight with Pershing's soldiers in regards to the ban. I would also think that logic holds that one would want to make a gunong look less like a kris if indeed kris have been banned. I mean, the more it looks like a kris the more likely you are to get in trouble for it, eh? All the really big ones that i have seen seem to be post 1960s at the earliest. These over-sized gunongs mostly seem aimed at those who travel for pleasure. This isn't to say that there weren't some larger pre-WWII gunongs, but i would say it was the fashion until later. I'd say if you got 'em folks (older ones of great length), show 'em.

[laEspadaAncha]

Originally Posted by David

I would also think that logic holds that one would want to make a gunong look less like a kris if indeed kris have been banned.

Not for someone currently reponding to this thread who may or may not have an inherent problem with authority.

[Battara]

OK, perhaps I was a little liberal with my nomenclature. I guess it would be more an over sized gunong.

However, I have seen new 1960s krises with all the similar features but without a ganga and they are now also called krises.

I agree that this is not a true kris.

[zachsau72]

I didn't mean to spark such a heated discussion, but I really appreciate all the knowledge and info. Thank you all very much. I take it that these"Huge Gunong" or "Gunong/ Kris", were not common practice. Does that make my sword rare and desirable or somewhat of a fake and a trinket?