Is this even a Barung?

Ian · 19th September 2015, 04:43 AM

Ron:

All good points. With respect to a V-ground blade, one does see those coming from Cebu and that might be a possibility. I agree that the basketry on the hilt looks more Moro rather than Visayan, and the banati wood on the hilt (not obvious in the pics) would suggest a Moro origin.

As I saw your picture of a more typical barung blade adjacent to this mystery one, I was reminded that the barung blades from Sabah/North Borneo have this clipped appearance, are less convex on the spine, and are narrower than most Moro barung. Their blades are also frequently engraved with designs. Do you think this might be from Sabah or even Brunei perhaps?

Ian.

Battara · 19th September 2015, 06:34 PM

Ian I had not considered Sabah, although I see the strong Visayan influence in the hilt.

BTW - I know Gil Hibben. He even tested me for one of my belts long ago. Has a great workshop and house.....great guy.....😄

Sajen · 19th September 2015, 09:08 PM

Hello Ron,

what a beautiful and unusual barong.

I could be completely wrong but the handle has IMVHO more Bicol features as Visayan features.
But from wherever the mix coming, I am green with envy.

Regards,
Detlef

Spunjer · 20th September 2015, 03:31 AM

Hello Ian,
Sabah is another candidate, but IMHO, i believe this particular piece is strictly philippines/sulu. like Jose said, the handle has a lot of Visayan flavor in it.
Detlef,
that could be a possibility as well. the pommel could be construed as a bat, which is a popular motif in Bicol. incidentally, this area is in the outskirts of the Visayan region, which would have a lot of influence in design.

here's a story: during the last quarter of 19th century, there was a Tagalog by the name of Pedro Cuevas who was a fugitive from Cavite. he was sent to Zamboanga to serve his sentence, and from there, escaped to Basilan. The Yakans challenged him, and ended up killing their leader. he was eventually accepted by the tribe and was bestowed the title of Datu. He became Datu Kalun, who lead the Yakans until his death. i believe his personal kris has a crucifix, in honor of his religious belief.
i don't think this was an isolated case. i could see some other filipinos doing this. perhaps who owned this particular piece was from visayan/bicol region who moved to Sulu, and decided to decorate his personal piece with something he was familiar with.
picture of Datu Kalun

19th September 2015, 09:08 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,272	Hello Ron, what a beautiful and unusual barong. I could be completely wrong but the handle has IMVHO more Bicol features as Visayan features. But from wherever the mix coming, I am green with envy. Regards, Detlef Last edited by Sajen; 19th September 2015 at 10:15 PM.

20th September 2015, 03:31 AM	#4
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	Hello Ian, Sabah is another candidate, but IMHO, i believe this particular piece is strictly philippines/sulu. like Jose said, the handle has a lot of Visayan flavor in it. Detlef, that could be a possibility as well. the pommel could be construed as a bat, which is a popular motif in Bicol. incidentally, this area is in the outskirts of the Visayan region, which would have a lot of influence in design. here's a story: during the last quarter of 19th century, there was a Tagalog by the name of Pedro Cuevas who was a fugitive from Cavite. he was sent to Zamboanga to serve his sentence, and from there, escaped to Basilan. The Yakans challenged him, and ended up killing their leader. he was eventually accepted by the tribe and was bestowed the title of Datu. He became Datu Kalun, who lead the Yakans until his death. i believe his personal kris has a crucifix, in honor of his religious belief. i don't think this was an isolated case. i could see some other filipinos doing this. perhaps who owned this particular piece was from visayan/bicol region who moved to Sulu, and decided to decorate his personal piece with something he was familiar with. picture of Datu Kalun Attached Images

19th September 2015, 04:43 AM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,453	Ron: All good points. With respect to a V-ground blade, one does see those coming from Cebu and that might be a possibility. I agree that the basketry on the hilt looks more Moro rather than Visayan, and the banati wood on the hilt (not obvious in the pics) would suggest a Moro origin. As I saw your picture of a more typical barung blade adjacent to this mystery one, I was reminded that the barung blades from Sabah/North Borneo have this clipped appearance, are less convex on the spine, and are narrower than most Moro barung. Their blades are also frequently engraved with designs. Do you think this might be from Sabah or even Brunei perhaps? Ian.

19th September 2015, 06:34 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,310	Ian I had not considered Sabah, although I see the strong Visayan influence in the hilt. BTW - I know Gil Hibben. He even tested me for one of my belts long ago. Has a great workshop and house.....great guy.....😄