Origin of the Kalinga Axe

Battara · 6th October 2010, 05:47 PM

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 · 6th October 2010, 11:03 PM

Quote:

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 · 6th October 2010, 11:36 PM

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 · 8th October 2010, 02:28 AM

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.

Battara · 20th October 2010, 11:01 PM

Nonoy Tan,

I looked over this thread again and realized I misunderstood your comment. I do know that there are chieftains among the Igorot tribes, but I think you were referring the word "datu" not the concept. As far as the word is concerned, I agree that it is not used among them - I just did not know what term to use at the time. The Kalinga term for chieftain (according to this article) is a pangat (http://www.cca.org.hk/resources/ctc/.../ctc02-02h.htm).

Nonoy Tan · 20th October 2010, 11:10 PM

Battara, thank you for providing this information.

Indeed the social and political structures among the various Luzon Cordillera groups (and other Philippine ethnic peoples) also varied.

VANDOO · 17th June 2011, 12:22 AM

RECENTLY SAW THESE FOR SALE ON EBAY AUCTION NOW CLOSED. THEY WERE IDENTIFIED AS NEOLITHIC STONE ADZ/AX FROM PHILIPPINES POSSIBLY FROM THE ISLAND OF PALAWAN. ONE MEASURES 8.5IN LONG X 5INCH WIDE THE OTHER 9 IN. LONG X 5 INCH. PERHAPS THE MORE MODERN AX EVOLVED FROM SOMETHING LIKE THIS IF THESE ARE GENUINE ARTEFACTS.

17th June 2011, 12:22 AM	#7
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	RECENTLY SAW THESE FOR SALE ON EBAY AUCTION NOW CLOSED. THEY WERE IDENTIFIED AS NEOLITHIC STONE ADZ/AX FROM PHILIPPINES POSSIBLY FROM THE ISLAND OF PALAWAN. ONE MEASURES 8.5IN LONG X 5INCH WIDE THE OTHER 9 IN. LONG X 5 INCH. PERHAPS THE MORE MODERN AX EVOLVED FROM SOMETHING LIKE THIS IF THESE ARE GENUINE ARTEFACTS. Attached Images

6th October 2010, 05:47 PM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	I believe these to be datu pieces, but their blade heads are on backwards and there are some replacement bands. Still great pieces.

6th October 2010, 11:36 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	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.

8th October 2010, 02:28 AM	#4
Navigator Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 10	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.

20th October 2010, 11:01 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Nonoy Tan, I looked over this thread again and realized I misunderstood your comment. I do know that there are chieftains among the Igorot tribes, but I think you were referring the word "datu" not the concept. As far as the word is concerned, I agree that it is not used among them - I just did not know what term to use at the time. The Kalinga term for chieftain (according to this article) is a pangat (http://www.cca.org.hk/resources/ctc/.../ctc02-02h.htm).

20th October 2010, 11:10 PM	#6
Nonoy Tan Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 293	Battara, thank you for providing this information. Indeed the social and political structures among the various Luzon Cordillera groups (and other Philippine ethnic peoples) also varied.