Kampilan with Bells

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

CharlesS · 4th August 2016, 11:43 PM

A juramentado was not shy about his intents and purpose. Silence was not necessary. Could these be associated with them?

Battara · 5th August 2016, 12:13 AM

Good question Detlef:

Yes this is in traditional style. However there are several traditional styles from what I can gather. The range seems to be from this (and a little shorter) to very long. Hair also seems to be a variety of colors from black, to dark red/brown, to red, to orange, to mixed white/light brown.

As far as the pins are concerned, yes this is what I have seen over several years of both working on kampilans personally (including my own) and seeing pictures. I have observed remnants of wooden plugs with some hair left. In this case, I based my hair color and length on a couple of remnant plugs with the length intact.

Charles:

I suppose that a juramentado might have used bells, but I doubt it. A Moro who is performing magsibil would want to get as close to his target as possible before he starts killing. This might be a little different when facing an enemy during a battle.

Ian · 5th August 2016, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesS

A juramentado was not shy about his intents and purpose. Silence was not necessary. Could these be associated with them?

Hi Charles,

As noted by Jose, the juramentado used stealth and deception to get as close to a crowd of victims as he could before running amok. The preferred weapon was a smallish barung that could be secreted in his clothing until it was time to use it. The arms and legs of the juramentado would often be wrapped tightly in cloth, and sometimes the torso as well. This was aimed at reducing blood loss from wounds so that the warrior could continue to fight as long as possible (and thereby inflict as much damage as possible). These wrappings were concealed by outer clothing so as not to give away the intent of the warrior. There were also special cleansing and spiritual rituals that prepared the juramentado for what was often a suicide mission because the warrior seldom survived attacking a much larger number of armed opponents.

Ian

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.

3rd August 2016, 06:54 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,470	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	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,325	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, 11:24 PM	#2
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	#3
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 755	Beautiful Kampilan, the tiger bells are magnific !! great work !! Congratulations carlos

4th August 2016, 11:43 PM	#6
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	A juramentado was not shy about his intents and purpose. Silence was not necessary. Could these be associated with them?

5th August 2016, 12:13 AM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,325	Good question Detlef: Yes this is in traditional style. However there are several traditional styles from what I can gather. The range seems to be from this (and a little shorter) to very long. Hair also seems to be a variety of colors from black, to dark red/brown, to red, to orange, to mixed white/light brown. As far as the pins are concerned, yes this is what I have seen over several years of both working on kampilans personally (including my own) and seeing pictures. I have observed remnants of wooden plugs with some hair left. In this case, I based my hair color and length on a couple of remnant plugs with the length intact. Charles: I suppose that a juramentado might have used bells, but I doubt it. A Moro who is performing magsibil would want to get as close to his target as possible before he starts killing. This might be a little different when facing an enemy during a battle.