Help placing kampilan please

Marcus · 4th April 2015, 02:25 PM

The Kampilan came from Oriental Arms. It was in Artzi’s private collection for a number of years. He bought it in Manila in the late 70's. His attribution was to “the Sea Dayaks of Borneo (or) Moros of the Southern Philippines”. Based on the comments of Charles and Vandoo, it would seem more likely the latter than the former.
It is my understanding that the Moro were converted to Islam in the 15th century, so it seems a bit curious to me that so many of the stylistic features of this sword, produced hundreds of years later, are shared with swords of the animistic tribes such as the Dayaks. The is still a lot of tribal symbolism in this sword.

Battara · 5th April 2015, 02:10 AM

There is also a Suluwesi form of kampilan. Where ever the Moros landed, influence can be had, including Borneo (where Moros also live) and Suluwesi (with whom the Moros traded).

Gavin Nugent · 5th April 2015, 06:33 AM

I never considered horse hair a typical attribute for these swords, replaced perhaps?

Gavin

Ian · 5th April 2015, 03:48 PM

Looks like a typical Moro kampilan, most likely from the Lake Lanao area (i.e., Maranao) based on the particular hilt style--a very similar example can be found on a royal Maranao kampilan in the Museum of the Philippines, Manila, and the same hilt style is still being produced on Maranao pieces. Horse hair was the usual adornment on the hilt of a Moro kampilan.

Ian.

Marcus · 5th April 2015, 04:07 PM

Thanks Ian. That was my understanding.

4th April 2015, 02:25 PM	#1
Marcus Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 420	Tribal traditions amongst the Islamic Moro The Kampilan came from Oriental Arms. It was in Artzi’s private collection for a number of years. He bought it in Manila in the late 70's. His attribution was to “the Sea Dayaks of Borneo (or) Moros of the Southern Philippines”. Based on the comments of Charles and Vandoo, it would seem more likely the latter than the former. It is my understanding that the Moro were converted to Islam in the 15th century, so it seems a bit curious to me that so many of the stylistic features of this sword, produced hundreds of years later, are shared with swords of the animistic tribes such as the Dayaks. The is still a lot of tribal symbolism in this sword.

5th April 2015, 04:07 PM	#5
Marcus Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 420	Horse hair Thanks Ian. That was my understanding.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

5th April 2015, 02:10 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,315	There is also a Suluwesi form of kampilan. Where ever the Moros landed, influence can be had, including Borneo (where Moros also live) and Suluwesi (with whom the Moros traded).

5th April 2015, 06:33 AM	#3
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	I never considered horse hair a typical attribute for these swords, replaced perhaps? Gavin

5th April 2015, 03:48 PM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,460	Looks like a typical Moro kampilan, most likely from the Lake Lanao area (i.e., Maranao) based on the particular hilt style--a very similar example can be found on a royal Maranao kampilan in the Museum of the Philippines, Manila, and the same hilt style is still being produced on Maranao pieces. Horse hair was the usual adornment on the hilt of a Moro kampilan. Ian.