Moro Spear

[tunggulametung]

How about the possible usage on jungle trap?

[David]

Originally Posted by tunggulametung

How about the possible usage on jungle trap?

I had always assumed that these were battle weapons, not hunting spears.

[Jentayu]

Thanks Pak Tunggulametung. It is indeed quite difficult to decipher those words and alphabets. More so when some of the alphabets and the way they were written lack visibility and accuracy. What we can do is to read it or make assumptions as close to the "normal" words that we normally understood it from malay language written in Jawi. Here is my view of the words....

[tunggulametung]

Thanks abang Jentayu, it really help me in shaping my second thought.

So I bring my self one more time here (to revise) my earlier post (I promise to stop after another post , unless I'm coming with something difinite). It goes something like:

Kaaklanal/Kaakanal/Kaakanad/Kaaknal tuk Hamsal
Nakarkan Datuk Hasim

bold=almost sure
maybe something like:
given/trusted to Hamsal after saving/to guard Datuk Hasim? (wild wild guess)

alternatively ofcourse there are two Datus, Hamsal and Hasim as mentioned before, or one Datu: Hasim, giving over/excanging over something

I believe we're close in term of how it sound, just need kind assistance from someone who can associate it into something meaningful.

Anyway, thanks for the space and being patience with my posts

[migueldiaz]

Originally Posted by tunggulametung

I believe we're close in term of how it sound, just need kind assistance from someone who can associate it into something meaningful.

Tunggulametung, thank you for the translation. It's very interesting. As we say here in Manila, "salamat"

Eariler, I've asked two Filipino Muslim friends here in the Philippines to help in the translation. One is in the university, and the other is based in Mindanao. But I have not heard from them -- looks like they are having a hard time.

But with your translation, I don't think we need to wait for their comments. Thus, salamat once again. Best wishes.

[Battara]

Great points - these were actually lances not throwing spears.

I chime in with Lorenze in saying salamat for the hard work in translating.

[Gavin Nugent]

Great developments guys,

Tunggulametung, Big G, thank you for the translation teachings and notations added to the images and thank you to everyone who has taken an interest in trying to solve the mystery script on this blade.

Lorenz, the images shown in museum Lee's thread are nothing short of superb, the trip you made and the photos you took are invaluable and I have not forgotten images for you either. Of particular interest were the iron butt ends as seen on spears from other countries along with the example similar to Maurice's spear and even a blade shape similar to mine, it seems this museum has every option/angle covered...nice to see the Chinese polearms too.

Would it help further if I posted further images of the script from another angle?

thanks to all and may the force be with you too ;-)

[BigG]

Originally Posted by David

I had always assumed that these were battle weapons, not hunting spears.

I tend to agree wth David on this. It seems that this is simply far too specific in its design to be a hunting implement. The sheer exuberance of the form, in terms of its overall look, its heft and the width and ruggedness of the blade gives me the impression that budiaks, and this one in particular, as meant to be used as a weapon. It may of course have the added significance of being embellished with messages and used as a gift, status symbol or as a personal or clan totem thingy, but really, i just find it hard to see this as anything other then an implement of war.

My own thoughts on this is that budiaks in general and this one in parricular is used as a stabbing & thrusting weapon in the manner in which spears are employed by hoplites in classical greek era. Thus the featuremat the end maybe a used as a counterbalance to allow for the weapon to be held straight n level one handed while hiding behind a circular shield as we habe seen in many black & white moro photos. In fact pretth much alike to how a Spartan or Athenian hoplite would have stood in a phalanx.

[tunggulametung]

Originally Posted by David

I had always assumed that these were battle weapons, not hunting spears.

Maybe not necesarily animal trap, but trap for the infidels? I mean in the war time like forum member Vandoo mentioned in another thread-if I remember correctly, we don't really care how ornate our spear anymore, we'll use anything we can use (with optimism that we'll get it later). Also I remember on another thread seeing mandau for woodworking (something collectors won't even dare to think of). I saw on tv it is use to clearing bush on their way to the river for spearfishing (recent date program)-that precious arowana fish in 'modern world' , I think they are lucky, must be yummy need to taste one before I die. You know, they are not in war everyday. I believe in the past, other then Keris/Kalis, most all of these weapon from the archipelago are likely "working tools" in certain degree. Keris/Kalis (with spiritual imbued belief) might saw special treatment since the beginning (eg. not going to see woodworking), especially as a defend weapon (this would covers defend from animal attack for example). Kampilan, I remember to learn was datu piece, but seems unreasonable, might be noble alright, and have some ceremonial/status at some extent.

Back to the spear, because they are facing someone with better arm/bullets, they need to keep a distance, so trap sound like a good solution, so at least they have two stages of attack (read: chances) rather than one, or fly for another strategy (I think they are more straight forward no?). If not use on the water (with long rope attached), I suggest it is use as a trap somehow, maybe with shorther rope or without rope at all. I read somewhere on the net, they set up lances inside bamboo barrel for better accuracy. thanks, just two cents

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I think it still valid to add on my last post

Brother Big, that's probable, but in my opinion the wire end design must have other purpose other than counter weight.

PS. at some degree Moro Kris was still a 'defend weapon' in relation with Spanish/American forces at that time, in my opinion they never thought their kalis are different from other keris as how we devide it in this forum, it's just kalis, sundang, keris...same thing only with their unique identity.

Thanks again