Panabas, aka Bruticus Maximus...

Conogre · 25th March 2005, 08:01 AM

Thanks for clarifying on the non-duality of the panabas, Federico, with what you stated being what I've suspected since I personally held one, as they are simply too heavy to be used in harvesting rice, no matter what the blade is shaped like.
In some instances, the weight of a particular bladed piece would seem to have immense bearing on its use as a weapon in spite of what is thought to be used for, often based upon what it's shape resembles.
If too heavy to be used in harvesting a food crop, such as rice, and with a hilt that wouldn't stand up if used in lieu of an axe, not much is left for a purpose besides a weapon if one uses common sense and the process of elimination.
Mike

Bill · 25th March 2005, 08:10 PM

an interesting thing is one can easily look up PI court documents about criminal trials, on the internet. There is a number of murder trials (receint)that the panabas is the weapon, often being described as a agricultural tool. Little doubt the "Moro" panabas was strickly used as a weapon, but likely there was also a tool that at times was used as a weapon, then, as now.

Conogre · 25th March 2005, 10:21 PM

A very good point, Bill.
Does anyone know of a non-Moro tool or impliment that resembles a panabas from the PI, or even a Moro equivelent used JUST for agriculture?
Mike

Ian · 26th March 2005, 05:14 AM

Mike:

We had one on this old thread http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/002044.html but unfortunately the pictures are gone now. I'll see if I still have them.

Ian.

Bill · 26th March 2005, 02:44 PM

From what I have read, the early "Moro" seldom used thier valuable iron for tools. But they were early ship builders, & a panabas would likely be valuable in the process. Anyone have info on "Moro" ship building. Seen quite a few referance to ship building in Mindanao but little attributed to early Sulu Archipelago. What early tools were needed?

Rick · 26th March 2005, 03:51 PM

The most important tool would probably be the adze Bill .
After that the gimlet ; now the panabas could be used for shaping the edges of planking but at 3+ pounds it would be quite a burdensome tool to use all day . A drawknife , or plane would be better suited for the job .

Federico · 26th March 2005, 07:12 PM

Big difference between Sulu and Mindanao Moros. While Sulu was more known for its sea oriented endeavors, Mindanao did have extensive agriculture, and ag played a big part particularly for the Sultanate Buayan in their trade roles (rice for jungle products or sea products). However, both groups did have agricultural infrastructures, though in Sulu not as robust as Mindanao. This is part of the reason why Spain was so enamoured with Mindanao, with the arable land they had hoped it could be the rice basket (so to speak) of PI. Part of the reason it is so popular right now for Xtian colonization from other islands, ag land.

zamboanga · 27th March 2005, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill

From what I have read, the early "Moro" seldom used thier valuable iron for tools. But they were early ship builders, & a panabas would likely be valuable in the process. Anyone have info on "Moro" ship building. Seen quite a few referance to ship building in Mindanao but little attributed to early Sulu Archipelago. What early tools were needed?

The local museum (inside the Spanish Fort del Pilar) here has a display on samal boat building tools and as well as several samal boats, large and small. I'll post some pictures I took. There are no panabas on display but I found a samal sangkil spear displayed as a fishing tool. the yakan sangkil i mentioned earlier has a broader profile. unlike the other moro tribes, the yakans are not seafarers.

A non-moro equivalent of the panabas (as an agri tool) would probably be the "tabas." it is a bolo with a question-mark like profile and is used in "kaingin."

zamboanga · 27th March 2005, 08:57 AM

as promised here are the pics from Fort del Pilar museum.

26th March 2005, 03:51 PM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,374	The most important tool would probably be the adze Bill . After that the gimlet ; now the panabas could be used for shaping the edges of planking but at 3+ pounds it would be quite a burdensome tool to use all day . A drawknife , or plane would be better suited for the job . Last edited by Rick; 26th March 2005 at 07:18 PM.

27th March 2005, 08:57 AM	#9
zamboanga Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: zamboanga city, philippines Posts: 132	SAMAL SHIPBUILDING TOOLS as promised here are the pics from Fort del Pilar museum. Attached Images

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25th March 2005, 08:01 AM	#1
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	Thanks for clarifying on the non-duality of the panabas, Federico, with what you stated being what I've suspected since I personally held one, as they are simply too heavy to be used in harvesting rice, no matter what the blade is shaped like. In some instances, the weight of a particular bladed piece would seem to have immense bearing on its use as a weapon in spite of what is thought to be used for, often based upon what it's shape resembles. If too heavy to be used in harvesting a food crop, such as rice, and with a hilt that wouldn't stand up if used in lieu of an axe, not much is left for a purpose besides a weapon if one uses common sense and the process of elimination. Mike

25th March 2005, 08:10 PM	#2
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	an interesting thing is one can easily look up PI court documents about criminal trials, on the internet. There is a number of murder trials (receint)that the panabas is the weapon, often being described as a agricultural tool. Little doubt the "Moro" panabas was strickly used as a weapon, but likely there was also a tool that at times was used as a weapon, then, as now.

25th March 2005, 10:21 PM	#3
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	A very good point, Bill. Does anyone know of a non-Moro tool or impliment that resembles a panabas from the PI, or even a Moro equivelent used JUST for agriculture? Mike

26th March 2005, 05:14 AM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,503	Mike: We had one on this old thread http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/002044.html but unfortunately the pictures are gone now. I'll see if I still have them. Ian.

26th March 2005, 02:44 PM	#5
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	From what I have read, the early "Moro" seldom used thier valuable iron for tools. But they were early ship builders, & a panabas would likely be valuable in the process. Anyone have info on "Moro" ship building. Seen quite a few referance to ship building in Mindanao but little attributed to early Sulu Archipelago. What early tools were needed?

26th March 2005, 07:12 PM	#7
Federico Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA Posts: 312	Big difference between Sulu and Mindanao Moros. While Sulu was more known for its sea oriented endeavors, Mindanao did have extensive agriculture, and ag played a big part particularly for the Sultanate Buayan in their trade roles (rice for jungle products or sea products). However, both groups did have agricultural infrastructures, though in Sulu not as robust as Mindanao. This is part of the reason why Spain was so enamoured with Mindanao, with the arable land they had hoped it could be the rice basket (so to speak) of PI. Part of the reason it is so popular right now for Xtian colonization from other islands, ag land.