Kampilan with Bells

CharlesS · 3rd August 2016, 01:57 PM

Very nicely done Battara! I know this was on your wish list for some time, so glad it found a good home!

Jim McDougall · 3rd August 2016, 05:19 PM

Fantastic Kampilan!!!!!
It seems like Gav had one with a guard like this some years back. Also, the bells were I think imported from China (?) but I cant recall the idea or purpose of them.

Question: What was the symbolism/purpose of the wavy extension from the crossguard?

Lately it has been great around here with continued and dynamic discussions on the history and development of various weapon forms. It does not seem that of the kampilan has been attended to that much in recent discussions.

It seems further that the earliest recording of one was I believe Magellan (?) the famed explorer who was said to have been killed with one. The problem, as always, was it just the use of the word 'kampilan' describing an unspecified form of edged weapon.....or was it this form, in use at that early date (16th century)??

Ian · 3rd August 2016, 06:54 PM

Jose:

Nice job on that one! I think you are right that this is most likely Maranao in origin. Do the bells resemble "tiger bells?"

A couple of years ago I picked up a very similar kampilan, also online, with several "tiger bells." There is an interesting site devoted to these bells, http://www.tigerbells.nl/intro.htm, that I think Gavin has mentioned here before. That same site has a page (here) about these bells on kampilan, and shows an example of a Maranao sword with tiger bells taken in combat by US Army Captain JJ Pershing (later General Pershing). Not all of the jingles on that sword were of the tiger bell form, however. Among Muslim groups, the occurrence of tiger bells is thought to be rare.

The significance of these bells on a Maranao sword is something I would like to learn more about. Anyone have any thoughts?

Ian.

Robert · 3rd August 2016, 11:24 PM

Again, wonderful work Jose. I am very happy that you were able to acquire this very nice kampilan and put everything back in order. Congratulation on another great addition to your collection.

Best,
Robert

carlos · 4th August 2016, 08:57 AM

Beautiful Kampilan, the tiger bells are magnific !!
great work !!
Congratulations
carlos

Battara · 4th August 2016, 04:09 PM

Thank you folks!

Since we don't get many kampilans with bells, I thought it would be good to post this one for future reference and research. I did research (what little research that exists) and based my restorations on it.

I also get to strike this one off my wish list....

By the way Carlos, these are not tiger bells, but.....well..........bells (tiger bells have stylized tiger faces). These do seem locally made though.

Detlef, your wish is my command.

Sajen · 4th August 2016, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Detlef, your wish is my command.

Thank you very much! Do you have the hair in the traditional style with wooden pins? Look's like this.

Best regards,
Detlef

Battara · 4th August 2016, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

The significance of these bells on a Maranao sword is something I would like to learn more about. Anyone have any thoughts?

Ian.

Ian, it seems to me that wherever these bells (including tiger bells) exist, they were to ward off evil spirits. In this I would include the Philippines. I can also see these as announcing the arrival of a datu when carried by the datu's sword carrier.

I have also seen more tiger bells on Moro and Bagobo stuff than one would think, also again, they must have been traded by way of China.

Battara · 4th August 2016, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Question: What was the symbolism/purpose of the wavy extension from the crossguard?

It seems further that the earliest recording of one was I believe Magellan (?) the famed explorer who was said to have been killed with one. The problem, as always, was it just the use of the word 'kampilan' describing an unspecified form of edged weapon.....or was it this form, in use at that early date (16th century)??

First Jim - wavy extensions? Do you mean the iron loops? My understanding that these are for hand protection.

To your second question, there were many forms of kampilan all over the islands. Even the Tagalogs up north had a kampilan version that is now lost. So the only kind left I guess are that of the Moro versions. Unfortunately, those 16th century chronicles do not give detailed description of the type of kampilan the Spanish encountered.

Clear as mud, right?

3rd August 2016, 06:54 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,397	Jose: Nice job on that one! I think you are right that this is most likely Maranao in origin. Do the bells resemble "tiger bells?" A couple of years ago I picked up a very similar kampilan, also online, with several "tiger bells." There is an interesting site devoted to these bells, http://www.tigerbells.nl/intro.htm, that I think Gavin has mentioned here before. That same site has a page (here) about these bells on kampilan, and shows an example of a Maranao sword with tiger bells taken in combat by US Army Captain JJ Pershing (later General Pershing). Not all of the jingles on that sword were of the tiger bell form, however. Among Muslim groups, the occurrence of tiger bells is thought to be rare. The significance of these bells on a Maranao sword is something I would like to learn more about. Anyone have any thoughts? Ian. Last edited by Ian; 3rd August 2016 at 07:12 PM.

4th August 2016, 04:09 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Thank you folks! Since we don't get many kampilans with bells, I thought it would be good to post this one for future reference and research. I did research (what little research that exists) and based my restorations on it. I also get to strike this one off my wish list.... By the way Carlos, these are not tiger bells, but.....well..........bells (tiger bells have stylized tiger faces). These do seem locally made though. Detlef, your wish is my command. Attached Images

3rd August 2016, 01:57 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Very nicely done Battara! I know this was on your wish list for some time, so glad it found a good home!

3rd August 2016, 05:19 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Fantastic Kampilan!!!!! It seems like Gav had one with a guard like this some years back. Also, the bells were I think imported from China (?) but I cant recall the idea or purpose of them. Question: What was the symbolism/purpose of the wavy extension from the crossguard? Lately it has been great around here with continued and dynamic discussions on the history and development of various weapon forms. It does not seem that of the kampilan has been attended to that much in recent discussions. It seems further that the earliest recording of one was I believe Magellan (?) the famed explorer who was said to have been killed with one. The problem, as always, was it just the use of the word 'kampilan' describing an unspecified form of edged weapon.....or was it this form, in use at that early date (16th century)??

3rd August 2016, 11:24 PM	#4
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Again, wonderful work Jose. I am very happy that you were able to acquire this very nice kampilan and put everything back in order. Congratulation on another great addition to your collection. Best, Robert

4th August 2016, 08:57 AM	#5
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 751	Beautiful Kampilan, the tiger bells are magnific !! great work !! Congratulations carlos