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Old 7th April 2025, 03:33 PM   #1
Jim McDougall
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Default Kampilan

For those reading I wanted to add this, which is an actual 'KAMPILAN' (I do know this much on Filipino swords) to illustrate the form referred to.
I presume it is Moro, but am aware these were used elsewhere in the archipelagos from the Philippines into Indonesian areas in degree.

As I have understood, the term 'kampilan' may be a term for 'sword' in Filipino dialects which perhaps was used more collectively in earlier times.
When Ferdinand Magellan was killed in altercation with native tribes at Mactan in the Philippines April 27,1521, a period account states he was killed with a 'cutlass' resembling a 'scimitar'. These vague terms seem to have been embellished later using the term 'kampilan' but may have been adjusted using this Filipino term. Modern literature uses this term in noting this event.
Very much an example of how terms for local ethnographic weapon forms can be mistranslated and transliterated causing notable confusion semantically in research.
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Old 8th April 2025, 12:33 AM   #2
Battara
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I would place this piece (original) with the dragon head as Visayan, who made other examples like this.
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Old 8th April 2025, 07:49 AM   #3
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Traditional ginunting from Panay, the scabbard shape is also the same with those from Iloilo. The hilt is bakunawa form.

Though I wouldn't fault it if sometimes they get confused with blades from other parts of the Philippines because such profile also exists elsewhere.
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Old 8th April 2025, 03:26 PM   #4
Jim McDougall
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So if I understand, my example in post #6 is Visayan?
I presume you guys are referring to Andrews example. While not trying to derail the thread, I thought perhaps in discussion as a comparison it might add perspective.
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Old 8th April 2025, 08:26 PM   #5
Sajen
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim McDougall View Post
So if I understand, my example in post #6 is Visayan?
I presume you guys are referring to Andrews example. While not trying to derail the thread, I thought perhaps in discussion as a comparison it might add perspective.
Hi Jim,

I think that your example is from Luzon.

Regards,
Detlef
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Old 8th April 2025, 09:36 PM   #6
Jim McDougall
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sajen View Post
Hi Jim,

I think that your example is from Luzon.

Regards,
Detlef
Detlef, thank you so much for responding to my question, very much appreciated.
Jim
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Old 9th April 2025, 05:49 AM   #7
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Detlef, thank you so much for responding to my question, very much appreciated.
Jim
You're welcome!
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