Origin of the Kalinga Axe

[Nonoy Tan]

The mention of the term "Buneng" (refering to the axe) by the Ibanag in the 17th century is interesting.

The reference to an axe was made by my favorite historian, William Henry Scott, in his book "Barangay: Sixteenth Century Philippine Culture and Society" (1994). In the section covering the Ibanag, Scott wrote (using the work of Fray Jose Bugarin as source):

“Maengel raiders sent out with the plumes of the dalaw bird on their heas and the hair of defeated foes on their spears, to which they added gold ornaments during victory dances around their trophies. An illustration in the Boxer Codex shows a Cagayan warrior … Their weapons were leaf-shaped daggers 20 to 30 centimeters long (inalag) spears (suppil if plain, saffuring if barbed), and one which in modern times would be called a head axe – bunang, “machete of the natives,” Father Bugarin said, “like a crescent moon with a long point.”

Dominican priest Jose Bugarin in the 17th century collected Cagayan Ibanag words which would later be published in an 1854 dictionary (in Spanish).

This is signficant because it provides a possibility that the so-called "Kalinga head-axe" had an Ibanag (not Kalinga or Igorot) origin.

I checked Bugarin's work (in the 1854 document) and discovered that there is no attribution of the Bunang to an axe. In fact, he was specifically refering to a "machete" with a blade that was half-moon shaped (not crescent moon shaped, as Scott had misinterpreted). Thus, the possibility that the head-axe was of Cagayan origin is unlikely, in my opinion.

From the time I posted this topic in October 2009, my research on the origin of the "Kalinga axe" has not ceased. I have since then obtained new and interesting information. I will share these when the research is completed.

[Navigator]

What are the chances that these two Kalinga head axes were made by the same guy?[IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG]

[Nonoy Tan]

There is that possibility... to what extent we may never know.

There are beautiful.

[Battara]

I believe these to be datu pieces, but their blade heads are on backwards and there are some replacement bands. Still great pieces.

[Nonoy Tan]

I believe these to be datu pieces, but their blade heads are on backwards and there are some replacement bands. Still great pieces.

Navigator, the observations by Battara are important to consider.

Battara, I am doubtful about the use of "datu" - Are there datus in the Northern Luzon Cordillera social and political structures?

[Battara]

Nonoy Tan, you bring up a good point. If I understand right, there are datus in those cultures. I will see if I re-find past research upon which I base this.

In addition I would add that these types are perhaps ceremonial, but I base that due to the nature and work of the materials covering the shafts.

[Navigator]

These are obviously fine head axes and must have cost quite a bit more when they were made than a simple utilitarian example.
So, a rich man may well have owned such a weapon.

These head axes were made by a specialist.

It would be an interesting project to determine exactly which village they were made in.
I think this may still be possible because the children of the artisan are probably still alive, as these pieces probably date from around 1920.

Perhaps someone on this forum already knows.