A Special Kampillan

drac2k · 25th March 2019, 12:24 AM

Wickedly gorgeous!

Ian · 25th March 2019, 02:34 AM

Congrats Charles. Another truly wonderful piece for your collection. Excellent blade. It probably deserves to be in a museum.

Ian.

Battara · 25th March 2019, 02:38 AM

Ok after I picked myself off the floor, I can now say W W!

I have seen some, but yours is the nicest and cleanest. In fact, it is similar to my smaller Bagobo blade in construction.

CharlesS · 25th March 2019, 12:41 PM

Many thanks, guys. I am humbled to have the piece, and by your kind comments!

Jim McDougall · 25th March 2019, 03:22 PM

While I of course join in the consensus that this is an incredibly beautiful blade on this kampilan,, I realize just how little is typically known of the history this weapon form by myself and perhaps many others not well versed in this field of study. It seems it is of course well established in the Philippines, but that it had wider distribution in Borneo and numbers of other regions.

Just how old is this form known to be? and do the blades vary in shape and of course as suggested here (in this type of metal) in character regionally?

I recall reading some time ago that Magellan was killed in the Philippines by warriors and while some narratives use nebulous terms such as 'scimitar' or 'cutlass' to describe the sword(s) used by them, it seems some accounts use the term 'kampilan'. Since this was in the 16th c. is this just a modern known term for 'sword' in the Philippines, or could this form have been in use that early?

While very much enjoying the beauty of this magnificent example of Charles' I cannot help but wonder more on the form itself.

CharlesS · 25th March 2019, 04:11 PM

Jim,

For this info, I believe we would have to go to Spanish sources. I believe the Spanish may not have been quite as detail oriented about their conquered territories as some of the other European colonialists, but I may very well be wrong.

Are there detailed Spanish records on the Philippines regarding the terrain and the varied peoples? Perhaps someone on the forum knows.

Battara · 25th March 2019, 06:08 PM

My understanding is the there were a variety of kampilan forms among different tribes in the Philippines, even a Tagalog variant. What these looked like, however, is a good question. I forget the name, but there are some Spanish codex miniature paintings have some folks with kampilans in their hands.

Ian · 25th March 2019, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

...

Just how old is this form known to be? and do the blades vary in shape and of course as suggested here (in this type of metal) in character regionally?

I recall reading some time ago that Magellan was killed in the Philippines by warriors and while some narratives use nebulous terms such as 'scimitar' or 'cutlass' to describe the sword(s) used by them, it seems some accounts use the term 'kampilan'. Since this was in the 16th c. is this just a modern known term for 'sword' in the Philippines, or could this form have been in use that early?

While very much enjoying the beauty of this magnificent example of Charles' I cannot help but wonder more on the form itself.

Hi Jim:

Good questions! The kampilan as a weapon seems to go back some time. As you noted, Magellan is said to have been killed with a sword that some termed a kampilan.

The famous Maguindanao leader, Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat (CE 1581-1671), is said to have been proficient with a kampilan and to have been instructed in the use of the kampilan and kalis martial arts by Rajah Buayan Silongang. Statues of Sultan Kudarat can be find in Manila and elsewhere in Luzon, and he is renowned widely for his strong leadership and resistance to Spanish influence during his time. All the statues I have seen show him with a kampilan, consistent with the historical narrative of him using this weapon.

Ian.

CharlesS · 25th March 2019, 08:31 PM

I believe this is the most famous of several statues of Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat. Looks like he is holding a kampillan in a carved scabbard. ...and I see a kriss hilt, but nothing else of it. It seems to be tucked in at a rather "uncomfortable" location!

25th March 2019, 08:31 PM	#9
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	I believe this is the most famous of several statues of Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat. Looks like he is holding a kampillan in a carved scabbard. ...and I see a kriss hilt, but nothing else of it. It seems to be tucked in at a rather "uncomfortable" location! Attached Images

25th March 2019, 12:24 AM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,258	Wickedly gorgeous!

25th March 2019, 02:34 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,397	Congrats Charles. Another truly wonderful piece for your collection. Excellent blade. It probably deserves to be in a museum. Ian.

25th March 2019, 02:38 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Ok after I picked myself off the floor, I can now say W W! I have seen some, but yours is the nicest and cleanest. In fact, it is similar to my smaller Bagobo blade in construction.

25th March 2019, 12:41 PM	#4
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Many thanks, guys. I am humbled to have the piece, and by your kind comments!

25th March 2019, 03:22 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	While I of course join in the consensus that this is an incredibly beautiful blade on this kampilan,, I realize just how little is typically known of the history this weapon form by myself and perhaps many others not well versed in this field of study. It seems it is of course well established in the Philippines, but that it had wider distribution in Borneo and numbers of other regions. Just how old is this form known to be? and do the blades vary in shape and of course as suggested here (in this type of metal) in character regionally? I recall reading some time ago that Magellan was killed in the Philippines by warriors and while some narratives use nebulous terms such as 'scimitar' or 'cutlass' to describe the sword(s) used by them, it seems some accounts use the term 'kampilan'. Since this was in the 16th c. is this just a modern known term for 'sword' in the Philippines, or could this form have been in use that early? While very much enjoying the beauty of this magnificent example of Charles' I cannot help but wonder more on the form itself.

25th March 2019, 04:11 PM	#6
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Jim, For this info, I believe we would have to go to Spanish sources. I believe the Spanish may not have been quite as detail oriented about their conquered territories as some of the other European colonialists, but I may very well be wrong. Are there detailed Spanish records on the Philippines regarding the terrain and the varied peoples? Perhaps someone on the forum knows.

25th March 2019, 06:08 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	My understanding is the there were a variety of kampilan forms among different tribes in the Philippines, even a Tagalog variant. What these looked like, however, is a good question. I forget the name, but there are some Spanish codex miniature paintings have some folks with kampilans in their hands.