BEATIFUL KAMPILAN HILT

Spunjer · 9th April 2005, 01:18 PM

hi carlos,

the cloth might be an anting-anting, or amulet. also, i can picture someone wrapping the cloth on his hands so the sword won't slip. the bells reminds me of those t'boli hawkbells i saw in davao.

Ian · 9th April 2005, 02:01 PM

Carlos:

Nice example of a well maintained kampilan. It is unusual to see them with so much hair left on the hilt. The hawk bells are indeed reminiscent of the T'boli decorations, and are not standard Moro fare. The T'boli have traded with Mindanao Muslims for many years, so it is not surprising that hawk bells could end up on a kampilan.

The strip of material has been described as a means of binding the sword to the wrist, as Spunjer has said, but I have never found a good reference for such a use. Similar attachments appear on a few kris.

Interesting kampilan.

Ian.

tom hyle · 9th April 2005, 02:56 PM

Would an anting-anting have any heraldic/identificatory value? Is the pattern in some sense a "flag"? Of course, most "tribal" conflicts occur between groups who can readily identifyl each other by pretty nearly every aspect of their dress, equipage, and personal appearance, due to the intensely regional/ethnic variation one sees in so much of the old handmade stuff......but perhaps to mark a faction; a town? someone's bodyguards? etc? Really just an idea; not anything I've heard or have any specific reason to think is true..........

Spunjer · 9th April 2005, 03:59 PM

interesting point, tom. seems to be the sandatas i saw that has flowing cloth strips are the ones that are actual battle weapons that are battlefield pick ups. so are these strips added just before going to a battle for added good luck?

Rick · 9th April 2005, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spunjer

interesting point, tom. seems to be the sandatas i saw that has flowing cloth strips are the ones that are actual battle weapons that are battlefield pick ups. so are these strips added just before going to a battle for added good luck?

Were they anting - anting I would expect them to have some prayers etc. written on them or some small object sewn inside .

I'd suggest that more likely this is used to firmly bind the sword to the hand in combat .

tom hyle · 9th April 2005, 04:57 PM

Let me be clear that I am in no way suggesting that it is not used as a lanyard (to be broad), but that the pattern may also have some.....the idea of doing it just before battle made me think of this......organizational/unit-designation type meaning? Just guessing around......

nosmo king · 10th April 2005, 01:09 AM

great kampilan,I believe those bells are called tiger bells.Not a very common bell in the PI.

9th April 2005, 01:18 PM	#1
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	hi carlos, the cloth might be an anting-anting, or amulet. also, i can picture someone wrapping the cloth on his hands so the sword won't slip. the bells reminds me of those t'boli hawkbells i saw in davao. Last edited by Spunjer; 9th April 2005 at 01:31 PM.

9th April 2005, 02:56 PM	#3
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Would an anting-anting have any heraldic/identificatory value? Is the pattern in some sense a "flag"? Of course, most "tribal" conflicts occur between groups who can readily identifyl each other by pretty nearly every aspect of their dress, equipage, and personal appearance, due to the intensely regional/ethnic variation one sees in so much of the old handmade stuff......but perhaps to mark a faction; a town? someone's bodyguards? etc? Really just an idea; not anything I've heard or have any specific reason to think is true.......... Last edited by tom hyle; 9th April 2005 at 02:56 PM. Reason: "identificatory" is hard to spell if it's even a "word"

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9th April 2005, 02:01 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,469	Carlos: Nice example of a well maintained kampilan. It is unusual to see them with so much hair left on the hilt. The hawk bells are indeed reminiscent of the T'boli decorations, and are not standard Moro fare. The T'boli have traded with Mindanao Muslims for many years, so it is not surprising that hawk bells could end up on a kampilan. The strip of material has been described as a means of binding the sword to the wrist, as Spunjer has said, but I have never found a good reference for such a use. Similar attachments appear on a few kris. Interesting kampilan. Ian.

9th April 2005, 03:59 PM	#4
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	interesting point, tom. seems to be the sandatas i saw that has flowing cloth strips are the ones that are actual battle weapons that are battlefield pick ups. so are these strips added just before going to a battle for added good luck?

9th April 2005, 04:57 PM	#6
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Let me be clear that I am in no way suggesting that it is not used as a lanyard (to be broad), but that the pattern may also have some.....the idea of doing it just before battle made me think of this......organizational/unit-designation type meaning? Just guessing around......

10th April 2005, 01:09 AM	#7
nosmo king Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 15	great kampilan,I believe those bells are called tiger bells.Not a very common bell in the PI.