Origin of the Kalinga Axe

Nonoy Tan · 3rd December 2008, 02:06 PM

I suspect that the use of the term "Kalinga" (for the Kalinga axe) started no earlier than the mid 19th century (likely during the American occupation 1898 to early 1900s). During this period, the area of Northern Luzon which now includes the province of Cagayan (home of the Ibanag) was erroneously believed to be home of the Kalinga peoples. This error, I believe may have been due to the fact that knowledge of the indigenous peoples living there was scant, and "Kalinga" was used as a general word to refer to those peoples living in that area. Later, after extensive study, we now know that the area mentioned are home to many other peoples.

The mention of the term "Buneng" (refering to the axe) by the Ibanag in the 17th century is interesting. I believe that "Buneng" comes from the word "Buneg" - meaning river. Ibanag (or i-buneg) means something or someone/people from the river. The Ibanag people occupy the northern Luzon areas close to the large Cagayan river.

It is through these large waterways that goods acquired through trade from traders (e.g. China, Japan, Borneo, etc), goods such as iron, were bought, transported and sold by the coastal (sea) inhabintants to other coastal (riverine) peoples, and thereafter to peoples living inland or the mountains. Such was the trading network. The riverine coasts were magnets for early Filipinos to reside due to this trade. It was also logical to have blacksmiths in these coastal (sea and riverine) villages work iron to produce weapons for sale.

Thus, it seems probable that the "Buneng" Axe was so called because they were made those villages, i.e. villages along the "Buneg", e.g. Cagayan river or its secondary waterways.

My 2 cents

Nonoy Tan · 3rd December 2008, 02:34 PM

The painting by Jose Honorato Lozano shows a male Ifugao/Ifugaw. Not only is he holding an axe, but also bow and arrow. It is known that the Ifugao have long time ago disregarded the use of the bow and arrow, and so I am wondering why such weapon appears in a 19th century painting.

There are historical accounts describing the headaxe being used to pick a severed head. I doubt however if Lozano has ever actually seen it happen. I suspect that his painting was based on stories he has heard or read.

Indeed, more questions than answers...

migueldiaz · 3rd December 2008, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nonoy Tan

I suspect that his painting was based on stories he has heard or read.

Yes, looks like it.

Like what's that two-pronged spear the Igorot is holding? And then the axe is shown with a loop for its hilt and it has hair or fibers in it.

On the other hand, the painter got right the distinctive haircut with bangs in front, and then long hair at the back plus that small bowl-like weaving that is used as sort of a headdress.

On head-axes in general, below are more pics gathered from various coffee table books.

migueldiaz · 11th December 2008, 04:43 AM

Some more pics, taken from another forum: Filipinas Collection Thread 3.

Thread by the way has lots of old Philippine pics definitely worth checking out.

VANDOO · 11th December 2008, 05:31 AM

I REALLY ENJOY PICTURES LIKE THE LAST ONE IN THIS SERIES, I HAVE SEEN ONE SIMULAR FEATURING NAGA WEAPONS AND ITEMS.
THE SECOND DRAWING SHOWS 2 FELLOWS WITH WHAT LOOKS LIKE A TOOL USED TO HOLLOW OUT THINGS. IT COULD BE USED TO BREAK THRU THE PARTICIONS IN BAMBOO TO FORM CONTAINERS OR WATER PIPES. SOMETHING SIMULAR IS USED TO HOLLOW OUT BLOWGUNS. THE WORKERS STAND UP ON A PLATFORM AND PLACE THE MATERIAL TO BE HOLLOWED OUT BELOW IT AND HOLLOW IT OUT FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM WHICH RESTS ON THE GROUND. SOME OF THE TOOLS ARE HEATED AND BURN THE WOOD AND THEN THE ASH IS REMOVED OTHERS WORK MORE LIKE A CHISEL OR GOUGE TO REMOVE THE WOOD. THIS EXAMPLE LOOKS LIKE THE LATTER TYPE AND AS BAMBOO IS SHOWN IN THE DRAWING IT IS LIKELY A TOOL FOR WORKING IT.

YOU MUST HAVE SOME VERY INTERESTING BOOKS AVAILABLE

migueldiaz · 13th December 2008, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANDOO

YOU MUST HAVE SOME VERY INTERESTING BOOKS AVAILABLE

Some of the pics I post (like the most recent ones above) are found merely by rummaging through the Web

migueldiaz · 29th December 2008, 01:07 AM

Would just like to share more very old pics, from Ramon Zaragoza's Tribal Splendor. Here's a set on headhunting-related scenes:

11th December 2008, 04:43 AM	#4
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	Some more pics, taken from another forum: Filipinas Collection Thread 3. Thread by the way has lots of old Philippine pics definitely worth checking out. Attached Images

29th December 2008, 01:07 AM	#7
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	Would just like to share more very old pics, from Ramon Zaragoza's Tribal Splendor. Here's a set on headhunting-related scenes: Attached Images

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3rd December 2008, 02:06 PM	#1
Nonoy Tan Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 293	I suspect that the use of the term "Kalinga" (for the Kalinga axe) started no earlier than the mid 19th century (likely during the American occupation 1898 to early 1900s). During this period, the area of Northern Luzon which now includes the province of Cagayan (home of the Ibanag) was erroneously believed to be home of the Kalinga peoples. This error, I believe may have been due to the fact that knowledge of the indigenous peoples living there was scant, and "Kalinga" was used as a general word to refer to those peoples living in that area. Later, after extensive study, we now know that the area mentioned are home to many other peoples. The mention of the term "Buneng" (refering to the axe) by the Ibanag in the 17th century is interesting. I believe that "Buneng" comes from the word "Buneg" - meaning river. Ibanag (or i-buneg) means something or someone/people from the river. The Ibanag people occupy the northern Luzon areas close to the large Cagayan river. It is through these large waterways that goods acquired through trade from traders (e.g. China, Japan, Borneo, etc), goods such as iron, were bought, transported and sold by the coastal (sea) inhabintants to other coastal (riverine) peoples, and thereafter to peoples living inland or the mountains. Such was the trading network. The riverine coasts were magnets for early Filipinos to reside due to this trade. It was also logical to have blacksmiths in these coastal (sea and riverine) villages work iron to produce weapons for sale. Thus, it seems probable that the "Buneng" Axe was so called because they were made those villages, i.e. villages along the "Buneg", e.g. Cagayan river or its secondary waterways. My 2 cents

3rd December 2008, 02:34 PM	#2
Nonoy Tan Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 293	The painting by Jose Honorato Lozano shows a male Ifugao/Ifugaw. Not only is he holding an axe, but also bow and arrow. It is known that the Ifugao have long time ago disregarded the use of the bow and arrow, and so I am wondering why such weapon appears in a 19th century painting. There are historical accounts describing the headaxe being used to pick a severed head. I doubt however if Lozano has ever actually seen it happen. I suspect that his painting was based on stories he has heard or read. Indeed, more questions than answers...

11th December 2008, 05:31 AM	#5
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I REALLY ENJOY PICTURES LIKE THE LAST ONE IN THIS SERIES, I HAVE SEEN ONE SIMULAR FEATURING NAGA WEAPONS AND ITEMS. THE SECOND DRAWING SHOWS 2 FELLOWS WITH WHAT LOOKS LIKE A TOOL USED TO HOLLOW OUT THINGS. IT COULD BE USED TO BREAK THRU THE PARTICIONS IN BAMBOO TO FORM CONTAINERS OR WATER PIPES. SOMETHING SIMULAR IS USED TO HOLLOW OUT BLOWGUNS. THE WORKERS STAND UP ON A PLATFORM AND PLACE THE MATERIAL TO BE HOLLOWED OUT BELOW IT AND HOLLOW IT OUT FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM WHICH RESTS ON THE GROUND. SOME OF THE TOOLS ARE HEATED AND BURN THE WOOD AND THEN THE ASH IS REMOVED OTHERS WORK MORE LIKE A CHISEL OR GOUGE TO REMOVE THE WOOD. THIS EXAMPLE LOOKS LIKE THE LATTER TYPE AND AS BAMBOO IS SHOWN IN THE DRAWING IT IS LIKELY A TOOL FOR WORKING IT. YOU MUST HAVE SOME VERY INTERESTING BOOKS AVAILABLE