A T'boli or Bagobo Kampillan???

Ian · 12th September 2014, 07:04 PM

Nice kamp Charles! I think the blade is most likely "Moro" (Maguindanao or Maranao) but the hilt is distinctly "Lumad."

The guard looks very much like to T'boli work, especially the brass loops. The carving is harder to place--could be T'boli, Bagobo, Kaolu, etc. I would say this piece was put together in south-eastern Mindanao by one of the indigenous Lumad tribes using a Maguindanao blade. If there was a scabbard it might have told us more about which Lumad tribe.

My guess is that this one is from the T'boli, although their own version of a kampilan is pretty good if somewhat shorter.

Ian.

CharlesS · 12th September 2014, 09:54 PM

Rick: I never even thought about the bells! Good thought!

Ian: Thanks for your input. Do you think I am about right on the date being around the first quarter of the 20th century? I can't imagine it being any older.

Battara · 12th September 2014, 11:20 PM

Great find! I agree with Ian it's probably T'boli. They are known for lots of brass/bronze casting abilities. I also see the holes for T'boli hawk bells. Moro trade blade. Even the pattern on the "nose" of the hilt is T'boli.

I think your age is reasonable (really, really old!

).......er........I mean being from the 1st quarter of the 20th century.

In any case I love it!

Ian · 12th September 2014, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Ian: Thanks for your input. Do you think I am about right on the date being around the first quarter of the 20th century? I can't imagine it being any older.

Yes, Charles, I think you have a good estimate of age on this one. The blade is probably older than the hilt. Early to mid-20th C seems right for the hilt.

Very interesting and attractive sword!

Ian.

Marbel · 13th September 2014, 05:17 AM

My humble vote is against T'boli. The motifs and patterns are decidedly not T'boli, which are generally very specific. The "loops" where chains and bells may have hung is also not T'boli patterned. The loops, patterns and other shapes point to more Bagobo influence.

VANDOO · 13th September 2014, 07:58 PM

I FIND IT ESPECIALLY ATTRACTIVE EVEN AMONG KAMPILIANS. I AGREE THE TIBOLI HAVE SURE PUT THEIR MARK ON THIS ONE. (DROOL) IF YOU EVER DECIDE TO PART WITH IT LET ME KNOW.

I THINK THERE WAS A KAMPILIAN WITH A CAST BRASS GUARD IN A OLD FORUM POST BUT THE POMMEL CARVING WAS TRADITIONAL MORO AND ONLY THE METAL GUARD UNUSUAL. A VERY UNUSUAL AND ATTRACTIVE VARIATION AND I AGREE ON THE AGE.

Sajen · 14th September 2014, 10:14 AM

Hello Charles,

very interesting kampy.

Agree with you and the others about origin and age. A very rare piece!
Any signs that it has had once hair at the handle?

Regards,
Detlef

CharlesS · 14th September 2014, 12:58 PM

Hi Detlef,

Thanks for your comments. No, definitely no hair on this one. I think that brass rings and bells would have taken the place of hair at the base of the hilt.

Thanks again.

Battara · 14th September 2014, 06:52 PM

The rope motif and motif on the nose as well as the loops for me point to T'boli. The Bagobo were very close though, easy to confuse.

12th September 2014, 07:04 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,411	Nice kamp Charles! I think the blade is most likely "Moro" (Maguindanao or Maranao) but the hilt is distinctly "Lumad." The guard looks very much like to T'boli work, especially the brass loops. The carving is harder to place--could be T'boli, Bagobo, Kaolu, etc. I would say this piece was put together in south-eastern Mindanao by one of the indigenous Lumad tribes using a Maguindanao blade. If there was a scabbard it might have told us more about which Lumad tribe. My guess is that this one is from the T'boli, although their own version of a kampilan is pretty good if somewhat shorter. Ian.

12th September 2014, 09:54 PM	#2
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Rick: I never even thought about the bells! Good thought! Ian: Thanks for your input. Do you think I am about right on the date being around the first quarter of the 20th century? I can't imagine it being any older.

12th September 2014, 11:20 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,293	Great find! I agree with Ian it's probably T'boli. They are known for lots of brass/bronze casting abilities. I also see the holes for T'boli hawk bells. Moro trade blade. Even the pattern on the "nose" of the hilt is T'boli. I think your age is reasonable (really, really old! ).......er........I mean being from the 1st quarter of the 20th century. In any case I love it!

13th September 2014, 05:17 AM	#5
Marbel Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 68	My humble vote is against T'boli. The motifs and patterns are decidedly not T'boli, which are generally very specific. The "loops" where chains and bells may have hung is also not T'boli patterned. The loops, patterns and other shapes point to more Bagobo influence.

13th September 2014, 07:58 PM	#6
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I FIND IT ESPECIALLY ATTRACTIVE EVEN AMONG KAMPILIANS. I AGREE THE TIBOLI HAVE SURE PUT THEIR MARK ON THIS ONE. (DROOL) IF YOU EVER DECIDE TO PART WITH IT LET ME KNOW. I THINK THERE WAS A KAMPILIAN WITH A CAST BRASS GUARD IN A OLD FORUM POST BUT THE POMMEL CARVING WAS TRADITIONAL MORO AND ONLY THE METAL GUARD UNUSUAL. A VERY UNUSUAL AND ATTRACTIVE VARIATION AND I AGREE ON THE AGE.

14th September 2014, 10:14 AM	#7
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,240	Hello Charles, very interesting kampy. Agree with you and the others about origin and age. A very rare piece! Any signs that it has had once hair at the handle? Regards, Detlef

14th September 2014, 12:58 PM	#8
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Hi Detlef, Thanks for your comments. No, definitely no hair on this one. I think that brass rings and bells would have taken the place of hair at the base of the hilt. Thanks again.

14th September 2014, 06:52 PM	#9
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,293	The rope motif and motif on the nose as well as the loops for me point to T'boli. The Bagobo were very close though, easy to confuse.